Coaches and Sweeps
HEAD COACH – HARATA WILSON
Harata wholeheartedly dedicates 120% of herself to the club, embodying a remarkable commitment to its success. Her approach to duties is characterised by gentle consideration, providing tactful suggestions for technique improvement. Harata goes above and beyond by offering extra training time through her weekly boot camp and boxing sessions. Her presence is consistently felt at training sessions, where she actively engages in sweeping, coaching, and occasionally paddling.
Beyond her coaching expertise, Harata has become synonymous with the club’s spirited identity, thanks to her fabulous and rousing club chant. This chant, enthusiastically echoed by all members at each regatta, adds a unique and energizing element to our collective team spirit, reflecting Harata’s positive influence on the club’s culture.
Click here to see Harata’s Chant:
Harata’s coaching technique has been instrumental in the blossoming success of our regattas. Her dedicated guidance has not only elevated our performance but has also fostered a stronger sense of camaraderie within the club. Under her leadership, we have not only achieved notable success in competitions but have also forged lasting bonds among our members, creating a vibrant and supportive community that continues to thrive.
ASSISTANT COACH – MICHELLE DAVIS
Michelle embarked on her dragon boat journey in late 2009, driven by a belief in making exercise an enjoyable endeavor. This philosophy extends to her role within the club, where she imparts a sense of fun and camaraderie. Since joining HRD, Michelle has actively taken part in numerous regattas, showcasing her dedication to the sport. Beyond paddling, she has assumed the role of an assistant coach, finding joy in witnessing the growth of new paddlers as they develop both skills and a passion for dragon boating.
In her professional life, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge as a full-time Accredited Exercise Physiologist, boasting over 22 years of experience as a personal trainer. Her expertise and commitment contribute not only to her success on the water but also to the overall well-being and fitness of those around her. Michelle’s multifaceted contributions make her an invaluable asset to the club, blending a passion for dragon boating with a wealth of experience in the realm of exercise and fitness.
ASSISTANT COACH – TRISH PALMER
Trish’s journey in dragon boating began with the inception of the club in 2011. As a dedicated enthusiast, she embraced the sport from its early days, contributing her passion and commitment. Over the years, Trish’s proficiency and dedication caught the attention of the dragon boat community, leading her to be appointed as the Assistant Coach in January 2023. This new role reflects not only her personal growth within the sport but also her desire to share her expertise and inspire others in the exhilarating world of dragon boating.
COACHES FEEDBACK FROM HRD ANNUAL MEMBERS SURVEY
Harata (Harmony) is a fantastic coach. She leads with such passion and dedication to the sport and HRD. She is very careful in her approach to team selection and delicately balances the needs of individual and the club. She is incredibly inspiring and a major asset to the club.
Michelle is an outstanding coach with an eye for detail. Her no nonsense approach is balanced with her obvious love of the sport and HRD. We are very fortunate to have her as a coach.
We are just getting to know Trish as a coach and I have no doubt that she will be supported as she moves through the training program.
Really happy with all coaches. Motivating and encouraging.
HEAD SWEEP – TIM WILLIAMS
Tim stands as a valued member of our club, having been an integral part of HRD since its inception in 2011. Serving as our Head Sweep, he not only navigates and tows the boats with unwavering dedication every weekend but also serves as a repository of valuable information and experience. Tim’s commitment to excellence extends beyond our local waters; he has ventured internationally to explore and adopt different sweeping styles from prominent clubs.
His extensive knowledge and skills make Tim an invaluable asset to our community. When it comes to assessing the safety of paddling conditions, we instinctively turn to the question, “What would Tim do?” Such is the high regard in which we hold him, acknowledging his pivotal role in ensuring the well-being and success of our dragon boat endeavors.
ADDITIONAL SWEEPS
Harata Wilson Level 3 sweep accreditation.
Gavin Grant Level 2 sweep accreditation.
Lisa Brown Level 2 sweep accreditation.
Leonie Forbes Level 2 sweep accreditation.
SWEEPS FEEDBACK FROM HRD ANNUAL MEMBERS SURVEY
Everyone has a respectful communication style on the boat which is good because a sweep can make a difference to the feel of training once you are paddling. Having consistent messaging from sweeps is important.
Tim in particular can read a river and never gets fazed.
Another shout out to Harmony who takes on dual roles and to Tim who has recently put us through our paces as stand in coach while also sweeping.
It is clear the sweeps are a team and all have the same high level of professionalism.