Tonight the Dragon Boat community of Victoria gathered at the Kensington-Flemington Bowls Club for the annual DBV Awards to celebrate the successes of Victorian Clubs and acknowledge individuals that have achieved great things for our sport in season 2017/18. 

For our club, this was a fitting end to a great Saturday which followed a productive paddling session in the morning, and the club's annual general meeting in the afternoon - where we heard about how we had faired for the season (very well indeed) and the trajectory in which we are heading (upwards and onwards). 

At the DBV Awards, several of our members were nominated in various categories: 

• Coach of the Year (Metro) – Joe Alia & Carlos Diz
• Sweep of the Year (Metro) – Chris Phoumsavanh
• Male Paddler of the Year (Metro) – Carlos Diz
• Female Paddler of the Year (Metro) – Mandy Li
• Sweep of the year (Regional) – Kaitlyn Meyer (under Geelong Dragon Boat Club)
• President's Rising Star Award – Kaitlyn Meyer (under Geelong Dragon Boat Club)

Each nomination is a testament of the commitment and hard work of that member.

Against very strong and worthy competition, the following were announced as the winner of their respective categories. 

Carlos won Male Paddler of the Year (Metro), backing up on his award in this same category last season (no mean feat!).

Chris P took out Sweep of the Year (Metro), no doubt supported by great successes as a sweep at club and state levels. 

Kaitlyn - who more recently joined our club along with her father (Shane) and brother (Aidan) - won Sweep of the Year (Regional) and the President's Rising Star Award, both under the banner of her former team at Geelong Dragon Boat Club (well done and a credit to all those who nurtured Kaitlyn at Geelong!).  

The CYSM Sea Dragons family are very proud of all our members who were nominated and a hearty congratulations to the winners.