17th April 2025

Sink or Swim

Ros grew up in Geraldton and had an idyllic coastal lifestyle, living just 400 metres from the beach. “It was very accessible, so I was always there. My mother would take me to the front of the beach and say, ‘Go on then!’ – it was sink or swim!”

From four years old Ros was loving life out on the water, spending her days from 9:00am to 6:00pm swimming at the beach; just one of her many fond memories of growing up on the coast. “When I got older, I joined a Sunday morning
swim club, then when I got to high school we had carnivals. Even when I go back there now, I must go to the foreshore for a swim.

They also used to have a social at the yacht club – it’s still going on! We put on our pretty frocks and had a dance. We’d look like lobsters though as there was no sunscreen back then. We got horribly burnt.”

Ros later joined the Royal Lifesaving Society, becoming a Level 1 Teacher of Lifesaving in 1984. She taught aspiring lifesavers as well as getting several schools involved in competition.

“It was fantastic,” says Ros, “Every year they had the Schools Lifesaving Championships. I had 12 months to train the kids. They were so excited when they won medals.”

Ros then went on to become a swimming teacher and advisor for 21 different schools. Moving away from the water, Ros has also worked as a senior court officer at the Magistrates Court House.

Dragon Boat Racing

It wasn’t until later in life when Ros discovered a new passion, surprisingly one that saw her on top of water as opposed to in it. "I was celebrating my 60th birthday when one of my guests suggested I join the Dragons Abreast
Crewsaders Club in Bunbury, where I lived.” 

Dragons Abreast Australia is a national charity with over 1200 members across multiple dragon boat racing clubs in the country, many are breast cancer survivors. Ros herself had breast cancer 28 years ago. Her husband, David, has also been impacted by cancer as well as her eldest daughter, Nerida.

Ros learnt how the foundation supports both survivors and their loved ones through the sport of dragon boat racing. Curious, she decided to go along to the club to see what it was all about and never looked back.

“The first time I got in the boat I instantly felt at home on the water,” she says.

Seeing the World through Water

Fast forward a few years and Ros becomes an Australian Dragon Boat Federation coach and accredited sweep, steering the dragon boat. From Florida to Florence, Ros and David have travelled extensively for international races.

“David is a great supporter,” says Ros, “He does a bit of maintenance on the boats and gives a helping hand.”

In 2019, Ros completed a 55km event down Ord River, and in 2020 she went to Fiji to coach 40 women. Most recently, she competed in a Pink Dragon Boat Race in Tasmania. 

“The pink paddle event was freezing cold,” she says, “The days were only about 14 degrees Celsius, but the chill factor was six. It’s a great event though, 200 teams all competing from up and down the coast.”

So, what is it that gets Ros out of bed for dragon boat training at 5:30am? “Dragon boating and swimming is how I chill out. It de-stresses me in the pool and out on the water. I also love the camaraderie, and the networking opportunities with the eastern states’ teams.”

Final Words

After learning more about Ros’ life, we had to finish this story by asking her the age-old question (pun intended): What’s the secret to staying young? “You must stay ahead of everything and keep up with the world, and you’ve got to keep fit and healthy – use it or lose it! I go swim training four times a week, pilates once a week for strength and balance, then boat training twice a week. There’s still 90-year-olds competing in dragon boat racing, so anything’s possible!”

Ros is a driving force behind the sport with a commitment to keeping the momentum going. She has an abundance of positive energy, and a powerful will to triumph over cancer and live life to the fullest.

For now, please join us in wishing Ros luck with her next venture - The Vogalonga, a dragon boat event in Venice this June. It involves a 32km paddle in and around the canals, dodging gondolas and rowing boats along the way!

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Ros. You are a true inspiration and we can’t wait to hear all about your next adventure!