Boobops feature in new film

The Bay of Plenty’s heralded Boobops Dragon Boat Club star in a new documentary that has aired in cinemas across the country.

The Pinkies Are Back follows the story of the Pink Dragons Dragon Boat Team of Auckland, as they rebuild their team and aim for success on the water despite some of them never having touched a paddle before.

The movie came about through producer and director Lisa Burd’s passion for dragon boating.

In for a laugh

It is a passion project three years in the making, and Lisa was left honoured by the faith shown in her to document their story. The result is a feel-good underdog story, comparable to Cool Runnings, with largerthan-life characters and comedic elements throughout.

“I think it’s a breath of fresh air to have this kind of movie,” Lisa beams.

“There’s a lot of movies out there, but this one is definitely different.

“I think everyone could relate to it one way or another, especially a New Zealand audience.”

One of the Pink Dragons’ main rivals in dragon boating are the Boobops.

Our region’s dragon boating side was formed from shared experiences with breast cancer recovery, as is the case with the Pink Dragons.

That camaraderie and collective spirit is what Lisa hopes to have captured in this film.

“It’s that whole thing about joining a team and then you’ve suddenly got 25 friends or at least 22 people on a boat,” says Lisa.

“You suddenly, instantly, get this whole range of people that you probably would never have met before or associated with.

“That is what’s so fantastic. Before you know it, you make lifelong friends.”

Comrades and competitors

Jill Simpson is the Boobops captain and is ecstatic that the film has been made.

“It’s really going to put a spotlight on the benefits and open it up to a whole lot of people,” she says.

Jill also believes that this bond between members of the Pinkies and the Boobops gives them a special connection.

“Every dragon boat team is pretty close, but I do think the breast cancer teams have just that little something special. “Everybody knows what everybody else has been through.

“We say that we have a whole team full of sisters.”

Whilst the two teams share a kinship off the water, once the paddling starts that goes by the wayside.

“Extremely competitive, the Pink Dragons are the underdogs,” says Lisa. “It’s like dog-eat-dog on the water. I’ve never seen such competitive women in my life.”

Jill agrees. “Oh, absolutely,” she says. “When we go to a regatta we like competing. You know, we are there to support each other and to support the health and fitness of everybody. But put us out on the water and it is game on.”

For film updates, visit the Pinkies are Back Facebook page.

The Boobops in action.

Director Lisa Burd, right, with Pink Dragons captain Annemarie Stevens.

On a cool summer’s morning, a crew of 14 from LegaSea were standing on Oneroa Beach, Waiheke Island, watching the sun come up over the crowd gathered to celebrate the start of a rahui initiated by Ngati Paoa.

The rahui means no harvesting of scallops, mussels, crayfish and paua within one nautical mile of the Waiheke shoreline for at least the next two years.

Around 180 people were on the beach to support Ngati Paoa. The beach ceremony and subsequent hangi at Piritahi Marae weren’t just formalities, they were a celebration of community buy-in for better management of the marine environment and fish stocks around the Island.

LegaSea were standing alongside Ngati Paoa, taking with us the New Zealand Sport Fishing Council, Outboard Boating Club of Auckland, New Zealand Underwater Association and other communities supporting the initiative.

United front

“Giving the waters a rest around Waiheke Island is a good move because there are species that are becoming depleted,” says New Zealand Sport Fishing Council president Bob Gutsell.

“The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council is supportive of customary fisheries management measures in other areas around the country and we fully endorse the local communities working with iwi to take control of their fisheries.”

Another example of successful community collaboration is the process to establish a closure in Hawkes Bay.

In December 2020, LegaSea supported the application by Ngai Hapu o Waimarama for a two-year closure to all blackfoot paua harvest from a 24km stretch of the coastline south of Cape Kidnappers. Less than two weeks after the submission deadline, Ministerial approval was given and the closure is now in effect.

A fortnight to achieve a successful closure under section 186A of the Fisheries Act is a milestone worth celebrating. On the flip side, the two-week record is evidence of how quota holders have traditionally used their influence to thwart local management initiatives. Commercial take of blackfoot paua was already prohibited so success was reliant on community support and commitment from David Parker, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

LegaSea are encouraging their supporters to get behind these initiatives, as mismanagement of our scallops, mussels, crayfish and paua is not unique to the Hauraki Gulf and Waimarama, it is happening around the country.

“It’s a real worry when mana whenua and local communities have to intervene to prevent fisheries collapsing under the quota management system. This initiative is positive for the whole Hauraki Gulf,” says LegaSea spokesperson Trish Rea.

In LegaSea’s view, these are stark examples of the failing Quota Management System and it’s important we support communities taking the lead and raising their expectations for greater diversity and abundance in local waters.

Petition

Local area management, co-governance of fisheries resources and more abundant fish stocks are all elements of our Rescue Fish policy. Successful implementation of the policy requires a strong show of public support for change.

Please encourage your whanau, friends and colleagues to sign the petition at: www.rescuefish.co.nz/petition/

For more information please visit: www.legasea.co.nz or www.facebook.com/legasea

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