Karen Ellis

“I first tried dragon boat because my workplace (Barrie Public Library) hosts an annual community festival as a fundraiser for local charities. The following year, I joined the team PaddleStrong as a way to get me out of the house, get active, and help combat my depression. Having to leave all my problems on shore and focus completely on the paddling really helped me. I made the jump to True North Premier Women (previously known as Outer Harbour Premier Women) 3 years ago. I love how I am challenged by our coach and also the sense of camaraderie and support I get from my teammates on the team.

The commitment and dedication and the drive for success is so inspiring. The encouragement and support among the team is what keeps me going to every practice, and every race, and whenever I think I've hit a wall.

While having the opportunity to race at the IDBF Club Crew World Championships in Szeged last year immediately comes to mind as the most memorable, I think my favourite memories have come from our fitness tests - the way everyone is so supportive and excited when a new milestone is hit; whether it's a new benchmark being set or that first pull-up finally being achieved.”

[Karen Ellis (Barrie, Ontario, Canda), paddler on True North Premier Women, ex-paddler on Dragon Boat Barrie PaddleStrong.]

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