The Anna Maria Island Dragon Boat Paddlers from Paradise competed in the Southeast Regional Dragon Boat Championships at Sarasota’s Nathan Benderson Park on Saturday, May 11. There were 35 of the best dragon boat teams from the Southeastern states at the festival trying to qualify to go to the U.S. National and International Club Crew Championships.
The AMI Paddlers from Paradise had a women’s team finish second in the Premier Women’s Division and the fifth overall women’s team in the Southeast. It was an incredible achievement for the AMI women’s team which broke all their team records for the 200M, 500M and 2K races.
The AMI Paddlers are Lauri Burton Graham, Evelyn Silverthorn, Lynn Kravontka, Gail Trombley, Mileah Hudgins, Mandy Boyers, Lauri Fern, Courtney Nunemaker, Susan Lee, Marion May, Judy Gidus, Sandy Bouwer, Stacey Jiles Hanik, Jill St. John, Leigh Gardner, Lori Stuckey, Vanessa Burns Peterson, Diane Goolsby, Patty Reed, Gail McCall, Joanne Yacono-Brandt, Rick Granite (steersman), Melinda Bradway (paddler and head coach) and Craig Bradway (assistant coach).
AMI Paddlers from Paradise are sponsored by Beach Bums, Harry’s Bar & Grill, howluckyami, TPM Unlimited, Stuckey Automotive and Pookie’s Dragons.
AMI Paddlers are always looking for active men and women that want to be a part of a special community of paddlers. If you’re interested in joining this special Anna Maria Island family, contact Melinda Bradway at 941-462-2626.
