Senneker to represent Canada for a second time in Thailand

By Lethbridge Herald on July 19, 2023.

Herald Photo Romina Senneker front paddles a dragon boat back to the dock before practice with the help of Dawn Youngman, in red, and Jenna Dumontier on Monday at Henderson Lake.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Taber dragon boater Romina Senneker is gearing up for her second trip to Thailand to compete for Team Canada’s Senior B team of 22 paddlers at the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in a couple of weeks’ time.

Senneker competed in the same category, which is for paddlers ages 49 and up, at the 2019 championships which were also held in Thailand and came out with a silver medal.

“To represent Canada is kind of amazing, right,” said Senneker.

“It’s just a great experience to be able to put on the jersey for Canada and represent us.”

Senneker’s has a better understanding of what it takes to stay focused during the course of the races, not being distracted by the feeling of newness and excitement of the championship and feels the nerves will be better this time around.

“Still going to be nervous but in a different way, (and) not in an excitement, first time way,” she said.

“But in a you know experience going back and understanding the whole process. And because this is the exact same place again right with Thailand. It’s not at the rowing centre, they’ve brought it back at the original place that it was in 2019.”

Paddlers will have equal water levels at an Olympic site compared to the unevenness of waters in the area here.

“The basins, they’re made, so everything is equal (with) the water levels,” said Senneker.

 “So we know that the water level is going to be the same and we’re prepared for that. The coach’s been talking a lot about how to prepare for if we end up going back to the old location and what you need to do to get through I guess the slower, heavier water. If there is, it might change, they might have adjusted it. We don’t know, so just to be prepared for that.”

The atmosphere of the championships, in Senneker’s view, starts on the plane ride.

“You start running into the team members and people from different countries, especially the US on the planes,” she said.

“So, you start to see people and as soon as you get to the hotel, last time so many of the teams stayed at the same hotel, (and) so just the energy and the excitement. And I think the biggest thing is just trying to stay focused on our group and our team. Like it’s nice to experience that with them, but you know, it is a high-level competition, and so try not to get caught up in the jersey switching already, the fun stuff, but just try to stay focused on what we need to do and then there’ll be time for the exchanging and that.”

Senneker will be joined by Lethbridge’s Linda Gilbert and four youth paddlers of Mia Chalmet , Ella Veilleux, Liberty Fuentes and Sierra Smith at the championships.

 “I think just having them there at the facility and together and just being able to support each other because it’s not your typical fun festival to go to,” said Senneker.

“It’s more of a focus event. You’re representing Canada, so you’re there with the best athletes in dragon boat (from) around the world. And so, just to be able to encourage each other and kind of watch (the) pressure because the pressure can get pretty intense. Especially as you know coaches announce the boats or the seating plans or just different things.”

Senneker went through the testing of the Dragon Boat Canada Showcase Camp in Burnaby, B.C.  last fall that included the OC1 (outrigger canoe) time trials, the Ergometer (ERG)paddle testing and training sessions with video reviews with head coaches.

She then last  December and February and April did video submissions of Erg testing and strength drills.

The final selection camp was in Montreal over the May long weekend.

The championships are Aug. 7-13 in Pattaya, Thailand.

Senneker currently competes with the Edmonton Dragon Boat Club.

When she’s  not doing that, she practices with the local Coulee Classic Dragons women’s team and coaches with the local club.