Members of the Lambton Shores Dragon Boat Club were expected to return home late Monday night after winning gold at the 16th annual World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Pattaya, Thailand.
The international event took place from August 7 until August 13.
Lambton Shores Dragon Boat Club Head Coach Cathy Johnson said youth members from the local club joined others from across the country to represent Canada. The local group consisted of Jase Peters, Katelyn Finch, Georgia Peters (all of Lambton Shores), Julia Chagnon of Clinton, and Megan Johnston of Wyoming.
An emotional Johnson said it was incredible to watch the junior athletes, as they faced some tough competition.
"They put a lot of effort out. They did win 21 medals out of 24 races and their scores were enough that they ended up winning the Junior Cup so we were pretty excited," she said.
Overall, the junior teams won seven gold medals, 13 silver, and one bronze.
"Then on top of that, Canada as a whole - with everything from their senior teams, their premier teams, their para-dragon teams - they had enough points that they actually won the overall cup as well," Johnson said. "So it was pretty incredible!"
Members of the Lambton Shores Dragon Boat Club range from 14 to 17 years old. Johnson said they'll get a short break before returning to practice on August 21.
Johnson said competing at an international event allowed the young group to speak with others who share a passion for dragon boat racing.
"They're going to be able to take it and get ready for the next levels of competition. So some of them will be moving to the premier and U24 level and they know now what they have to do to get on to those teams," she said. "Then I've got two younger ones who will be, hopefully, all pumped up and ready to try out again to go in two years [for] Germany."
Johnson said the club didn't receive funding to attend the international event so the community support and donations they received were greatly appreciated.
"These kids couldn't have done it without the community," Johnson said.