Silver lining for dragon boat John

Read Moreton Daily's previous article about John Butler here.

Sandstone Point’s John Butler came within a “dragon’s whisker” of bringing home gold from the Australian Dragon Boat Championships.

The 72-year-old was part of Queensland’s Senior C Division (over 60) crew which won silver over 200m at Lake Kawana earlier this month.

John’s team was edged out by Brisbane River Dragons in a thrilling finish with Rainbow Dragons, from Ballina, taking third.

“State versus state - what an exciting opportunity and experience,” the Dragon Boat Pumicestone member, who has been racing for three years, said.

“To compete against the best in Australia is something dreams are made of and our performance can only be attributed to six months training and team hunger.”

The last three days of nationals saw clubs - including Dragon Boating Pumicestone - from across Australia competing against one another.

John said the performance of Pumicestone’s Senior C Mixed crew over 500m was “fantastic” winning a bronze medal and the open crew took silver over 200m.

“Nationals were a culmination of very hard work over the race season and the medals were reward for effort,” John said.

“However the camaraderie and mateship for me within our club is the driving factor that makes me strive to better myself."

It has been quite a journey for the former infantryman/commando and logistical manager who admits to facing “challenges” after being discharged from the Army.

In a 47-year career, John was deployed to Afghanistan, Malaysia, Timor, Bougainville and PNG, promoted to Warrant Officer 1, served with infantry units and later Army Reserve battalions.

“I was looking for a sport that would allow me to challenge myself, but needed to be mindful of my age and injuries over my military and previous sporting activities,” he said.

“I was introduced to dragon boating by a colleague I volunteer with at Meals on Wheels Bribie Island and attended a come-and-try session.

“At first I was not sure I would be challenged by dragon boating but after attending a regatta I was sure this was the sport for me.”