Meet The Coaches

Ryders Coaches

George Dimech - Head Coach

I have been in sports all my life. I played Touch footy and Squash for many years. After my knee injury I was told to hang up my boots and not do footy anymore. I was upset! But I saw an opportunity to get in a boat and paddle at Penrith, so I got in and was immediate put up at the front of the boat and I loved it.

I have been in the sport of dragon boating for over 20 years now, spending 11 years in a club in the Penrith LGA and 8 years in Canada Bay LGA. I have competed at club level and in NSW representative teams competing at the Australian Championships. I have also been selected in 6 Australian teams competing at World Championships with gold medal races at most of these events as well as divisional team captain. I am a qualified Dragon Boat Coach, Strength & Conditioning Coach and Dragon Boat Sweep (boat steerer). 

I am passionate about the sport, and I love to inspire people and to be inspirational to others.

"Train people well enough so they can leave. Treat them well enough so they don't want to."

Fiona Wells 

My journey in dragon boating started 19 years ago when I joined a team just to train, not race. Until I did my first race and then I was hooked. I have now competed for 3 clubs and multiple NSW and Australian teams that included being selected as captain. With many podium finishes, it's the team and the journey that makes it special. I trained as a coach in late 2007 and have continued coaching at club level with experienced and new athletes. I have also trained numerous corporate teams for regattas as well as large-scale team building events with 100 participants. 

In 2019 I became an accredited Strength and Conditioning (S&C) coach, providing another dimension to my dragon boat coaching skill set. I enjoy designing programs around the racing schedule, modifying exercises to be sport specific, scaling exercises to individual 's ability and delivering in a fun environment with the S&C goals of improving performance, reducing injuries, and teaching fitness and movement skills.

It's very rewarding seeing the transformation of paddlers and the big smiles on race day. Remembering that my own journey started as a non-competitive paddler, I am very passionate about supporting our athletes through their own dragon boating journey. You never know where the opportunities may take you along the athlete's pathway. 

Mark Pendergast 

I started dragon boat paddling about 15 years ago. I always enjoyed playing sport but had to stop due to back issues. After a break from sport for a few years, I really missed a challenge. I was recommended to try dragon boating by a friend, it sounded like it would suit me, so I gave it a go.
I fell in love with the sport, I quickly lost weight and my back was not negatively effected, in fact, it helped. After a couple of seasons, I decided to try out for the NSW State team and got in! Since then, I have paddled, steered, and coached in several NSW teams.

My most memorable paddling moment was making the Australian team in 2009 and winning gold in Prague.
I have now been coaching for about 10 years. I enjoy passing on my knowledge and teaching skills that I have learnt over the years. There are many rewards in the sport including friendship, good health and team competition, these are all good for the soul. I encourage everyone to have a go.

Hope to see you on the water!

Eva Wong - Strength and Conditioning Coach/Junior Coach

I have spent many years as a paddler and volunteering with my club but this season (22/23) I decided to take it to the next level!

I am in the process of completing both my Strength and Conditioning course as well as my Level 1 Coaching course! Additionally I'm training to be a dragon boat Sweep to add to my expanding skill set!

I enjoy training and developing paddlers and helping them achieve their goals which is why I decided to take on these challenges this season. I've absolutely loved every minute of it!