Emily Plahuta

“I first started dragon boat racing because a friend got me involved, but I’ve stayed because it filled a hole in my life. I grew up not being good at sports and I always felt that I missed out on the opportunity to experience the thrills of true teamwork. It’s one thing to feel a sense of athletic achievement, but it’s another thing to feel like you were part of something so much bigger than yourself. Crossing the finish line with my team is a feeling that I can’t replicate anywhere else in life.

I will never forget the first gold medal I won with my club’s women’s 10s team. We crossed the line in a blistering 200m race at our National Championships in 2016 and we had no idea we’d won until we saw our coach’s face. Our performance booked us a spot at CCWC in Szeged and started an incredible journey for the women’s crew.”

[Emily Charlotte Plahuta (Melbourne, VIC, Australia), paddler on Yarra River Dragons & Australian national team (Auroras).]

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