By Staff Report
Two youth members of MiraBay’s Dragon Boat Racing Team, the Leviathans, have been selected to represent the United States at the upcoming World Dragon Boat Racing Championships this summer. Sixteen-year-old Natalee Hoover and 13-year-old Samantha Norstrem will be a part of the Under 18 and Under 16 USA youth teams, which will compete at the event in Welland, Ontario, Canada Wednesday to Sunday, August 19 – 23.
“We’re very proud to have these outstanding young athletes represent not only the MiraBay community, but also Team USA at the World Championships,” said Pam Parisi, Director of Marketing at Newland Communities. “MiraBay has been pleased to support the team since its inception four years ago and the fact that the teens have been selected is a testament to the team’s hard work.”
To qualify, Natalee and Samantha took part in local time trials, had their stroke tested then analyzed with a special data paddle, and their practices were videotaped and reviewed by a panel of Team USA coaches, including David Nelson of Tampa, youth coach of the Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Club. The World Dragon Boat Racing Championships will attract up to 4,000 participants from more than 20 countries.
From now until the competition, Natalee and Samantha will train six days a week with members of the Leviathans and Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Club. “The team has been working with the girls to ensure they’re well-prepared for the rigors of competition and to foster their competitive spirit,” said Ed Norstrem, a co-founder and coach of the Leviathans. “These young ladies are tremendous athletes and the Leviathans are proud to have them represent us on the world stage.”
MiraBay is owned in a joint venture partnership between NORTH AMERICA SEKISUI HOUSE, LLC (NASH), the U.S. business unit and full subsidiary of SEKISUI HOUSE, LTD., Japan’s largest homebuilder and leading diversified developer, and Newland Real Estate Group, LLC, whose development business, Newland Communities, is the master developer of the community. MiraBay is one of more than 30 communities the NASH-Newland partnership owns together in 11 states across the United States.
For more information on MiraBay, visit www.mirabay.com
