BRIAN Barrett and Ryan Marshall have returned to Armidale as Australian champions after winning the 500 metre event at the national dragon boat titles.
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The pair have only been paddling since October last year and qualified for the nationals as part of the North Coast Region.
Barrett said following their victory in the open teams event they were shocked with the national title.
“After we won the boat was very quiet, everyone was spent,” he said.
“We were all just sucking in the big ones but once we caught our breath we just couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces.”
The team cruised through the heats to claim their spot in the final before blitzing the field in just over two minutes for the 500 metre event.
The pair will return to paddling the Armidale Dam Dragons in preparation for the next racing season.
“Ryan and I have travelled each week to train with the North Coast team and what we have learnt has been benefical to Armidale paddlers,” he said.
“The drills we do have been a big boost to the club.”
