Kristine Lewis of Port Macquarie has been selected in the Grand Dragons division for paddlers aged 50 years and over.

Competition is fierce in this category and success is hard-won.

Kris has twice been a New South Wales representative paddler and this season she was also the divisional coach for the first regional representative dragon boat teams to attend the Australian Dragon Boat Foundation Titles in Caloundra.

Selection to the prestigious Australian squad means Kris will be taking leave from her job and moving to live in Sydney for some months.

The squad trains five times per week at Pyrmont, with several other paddling, gym and cardio sessions to attend each week.

Squad members need pay all expenses themselves including training, overseas travel, accommodation, meals, uniforms, airfares and equipment. This requires a huge commitment from the athletes and their families.

Kris is the first Port Macquarie resident and one of only two North Coast paddlers to gain Australian team selection in the sport of dragon boat racing.

Kristine Lewis is the daughter of Max Waters, whose family has a long history in the Wingham area.

Max is a former employee of the Wingham Chronicle and he maintains strong ties with the town.