Dragon Boat West

So....it's now the middle of March....and most of the teams are out there....anyone want to take the first leap into ranking some teams????

Will anyone take a guess?

Personally I don't think Rankings would do much good at this time of year still since none of the teams have raced each other yet and our predictions would be based on last years performances and well.... we all know that the roster for almost every team is definately different than that of what they had last year, for better or for worse. I agree with moturismo in that we can't really give any rankings out till the FCRCC regatta in May.

After saying that, here's what I predict... Of course this is all based on speculation...
As I've stated before on the forums somewhere, I personally think this will be the year that some of the second tier teams (Acme, FODB, Storm, MPower, DWW, TD Lightning and the likes...) will catch up with the top tier teams (Alpha, Pac Reach, Roli and the likes..). This could be either because, the top tier teams have lost that edge or because the second tiers have made that push to be top tiered. I'd like to think it's the latter but it's probably because of the former since many of the top tiered teams have lost paddlers to either the FCRCC men's and women's teams, or flat water sports.

I'll play the devil's advocate and say the Americans will come out on top this year...

Alcan Comp A final results
1) Some American team
2) Another American team
3) a team based out of FCRCC..

I'm just really feeling that locally, dragonboat as a sport is getting rather diluted recently...

On an aside, personal attacks and calling people out are definately frowned upon.  Dragonboatwest was not created to become the west coast version of the eastern board where the majority of their posts are anonymous posts trashtalking each other. I do not mind heated discussions but calling people names is reminiscent to grade school.

Guido, not to single you out as you have some valid points but your execution has much to be desired...
paddleboy, likewise, please refrain from calling people stupid and morons. If you wish to call people that, there is always the Private Messaging route.

here I was, getting ready to perform my moderating duties, and chaos beats me to it, only because he woke up earlier than I did.

let's stay on topic, and discuss what the outcome of the Alcan Festival could be.

if you guys decide you have a need to discuss each other's paddling history, please start a new topic, and keep it clean

I'd have to say the same on this.  It's tough to dish out predictions this early in the season given that so many teams have undergone lots of roster changes.  

However, the top 13 list looks pretty decent...I'd probably stick a few strong American teams (Killer Guppies? BAD?) in there as well.  

As for Nokia -- hmm, not so sure they'll be that much stronger this year, given they have a similar roster to last year, minus a few good paddlers.  They might be headed the other way. Hehe, I shouldn't say anymore than that...I'm already treading in deep waters.   :silenced:

Oops .........sorry you all had to read those posts ............just the nasty competitive side of me coming out .  :oops:  .Oh well ,it all just drives me that much harder .

 I think this yr is going to be a tough yr for all as team times are coming closer and closer together as we all saw in alot of heats last yr .It's a  tough call and really it a free for all until race day . I saw teams last yr on the water get beat in practice time after time by the same other teams only to turn around and beat them on race day .

Alright, warning: opening up a can of worms here...

Well okay the so-called "fallout" is actually a combination of various politics-based problems that stemmed from the last couple years. That's all I'm really gonna say.  You know how it goes when you get into the political stuff in dragonboat clubs...   :roll:  

So anyways, they may well want to be more competitive and practice more and harder, but I can't say their fitness/commitment/experience levels would necessarily make them move higher up.  A good lot of their experienced/committed paddlers from last year have since left the team "voluntarily".

Maybe they'll surprise me by the end of the season...stranger things have happened before.  :think:  

Disclaimer:  You didn't hear any of this from me and I know nothing...!  :shifty:

You have posted a good question Guido.  

I'd be interested to see your predictions to your post.  Who do you think will make the top five BC teams at Alcan this year?  Which team is the long shot and which is a sure bet?

What, in your opinion, will be the deciding factor: Coaching?  Fitness testing?  Youth?  Experience?  Ability to party?  Commitment?  Team spirit?

My predictions on local teams to watch this year:  Capital Iron and Team Storm, and I would not bet against a combined team from Penticton/Kelowna/Kamloops or Laylam Eagles.

FCRCC, Alpha, Roli, Gorging and Pac Reach will fill out the top of the top ten.

I believe Captial Iron is a Victoria (or at least from the island) team made up of Sports Med/Kinesiologists students (Of something to that extent...).  I remember hearing the announcer talk about them during the Victoria race last year since they were a first year team that ran with the big boys. They were pretty strong in Victoria but in Kelowna, I think they were hungover most of the time...

Storm has always been a strong second tier team but I'm not sure if they have what it takes to push to being top tier. It may be just me but when I look at their team this year, they look different than last year in terms of roster since I don't recognize most of them.  I could be wrong though but if they've got a semi-new roster, it should be interesting to see how they fair.

Finally someone asks for my predictions....thank you 52Single.....and by the way.....welcome to the forum I'm new at this too!!!!

Every point you made about the deciding factor is relevant...except the "ability to party"....and "youth" are important.....those occur after the races definitely.....but let's go from here.

If all the following conditions are met….then my predictions are as follows…

Well....let me see......If rumour has it correct.....Mikey S who works for CIBC and currently trying out for the FCRCC Men's team may put a team in under the CIBC name.  Now this team would be made up of a combination of the Men's team...like Grunow,  Jason, Bruce, Moe, Gaylen and all the other boys....they would combine with the FCRCC women's team namely Patricia(Grunow's sidekick), Andrea, and a few of the other girls....but it may highly be unlikely because Andrea is usually against it...so they will be hard pressed to recruit some top quality women.

The other teams that will make a difference are the Portland teams.  If Pete H is still involved down there...which I'm sure he is...but Holly(his wife) did give birth recently...and may not be back...may still be running Portland Mixed (1st overall last year).  I'd look out for them to repeat if they came up.  The other team would be Wasabi.  Didn't fair too well last year and may have done some recruiting.  Have always been up there.  My sources haven't really revealed too much for me so far this year.....I'll have to dig around a bit more.....will have to spend a bit more funds on coffee outings I guess.

Another team that has very good potential is Don S's team...formally known as Team Alcan Success....(they lost sponsorship this year).  Now if they recruit the older boys  like Darryl and Lauren...they will do quite well.

But here are my top 5 for 2004..Sorry no particular order.....drum roll please!!!!!
Portland mixed (Sure bet),  CIBC,  Team Success,  Wasabi,  Gorging Dragons

Honorable mentions would be Kai Kai Ka,  Cdn National Jnrs(if they come back),  Alpha(too much politics from last year if you only knew all the rumours!!!!!),  Roli(your shot in the dark),  DWW1, Pac Reach(Biting my tongue sooooo hard on this one…they made me put them in here….I just don’t like arrogance),  Scotia Bank(another long shot).

I'd like to say FODB and Team Storm up there....but I have to agree with Chaos(though I hate to do so..I hear he's still new at the sport himself)....that's all I'm going to say about that......

But….these are my predictions….bring on the comments now…..should be interesting.

speaking of Team Success, I saw them on the water on Sat and they were doing they're starts. Man, did they look good.

Until teams have raced and competed in the top division, it's a little silly to include them in predicitions like 'Who's going to win Vancouver'.   :eh:

Let's try this again.  Hopefully we'll stay on topic and play nice this time.

How can you make a statement like that?  
Let's see....FODB results from last year......
10th overall in Vancouver.
11th overall in Victoria...and
6th overall in Kelowna.....

You don't have to have competed in the top division last year to make it to the top 8 this year.  You yourself had never been up in the Comp Division as a paddler until last year and you took home a Bronze medal which I bet you keep under your pillow with you every night (it's not really made of Bronze Nook).  

As Larry Robinson (former Montreal Canadians defenceman) once said,  when it comes to competing 90% is mental 10% is technique.

So yes I think FODB should be placed up there near the top 5...especially this year.....I could say I base this on last years placings....and seeing they have almost 90% returning.

Remember "Grasshopper"....it's all in the mind.

no actually, an autographed picture of you is under the pillow.   :rofl:

Seriously though, just keeping my hopes humble and realistic, that's all.  It's nice for you to think so, and your words are always credible and reliable,  but I still prefer to approach these things with a really, guarded, cautious optimism.  Vancouver's grid has more depth to it than Vic & Kel for sure.

Just have a very healthy respect for Comp teams that's all.  Teams like the Dragonauts?  They're awesome and can't see them moving anywhere but up.

Anyhow, at the risk of sounding cheesy, it's a fantastic achievement and honour for any team to first make it to Comp A.  Top 5?  I'll buy you a beer and even drink one for every person on the team too if that happens.  Just have an ambulance standing by  :Cheers:



this is a relief, considering 80% of the team only have 1 year's experience now paddling.

Going to hold you to that one Nook  :D  :lol:

I'm with you on that one zMushroom......

Well FODB, the white glove has been thrown in.   Are you all up to the challenge?  The countdown begins now 82 days to go!

This is going to be fun.

Guido, wouldn't your views be somewhat applicable to Team Storm then too?

24th overall in Vancouver
12th overall in Victoria
3rd overall in Kelowna

And to a lesser extent, Acme?
28th overall in Vancouver
7th overall in Victoria
9th overall in Kelowna

I know that last year's placements are worth as much as yesterday's newspapers, but are you saying they are as capable of placing near top 5 of Comp A as FODB?

Chaos....my views wouldn't be as strong for Storm as they would for FODB.  I am privileged to observe each team and examine what their paddlers look like.  If I were to match them paddler for paddler with FODB,  I believe FODB would win physically.  As for ACME...well what can I say.  They LOVE to party way too hard.  They do well but there's no discipline with that crew.  They've been in Rec A for 3 or 4 years now and have never moved up.  Strathcona did move up along with DWW.  More discipline with these teams.  

That's why I would put FODB up there.

After viewing an outrigger competition this weekend in Victoria which Victoria's own Gorging Dragons were entered my vote lies with them.  Intense training 12 times a week (2x's daily) is very evident with their crews, mixed, men's and women's.  I do believe they will be very tuff to beat and I wish them the best of luck in South Africa in a couple of weeks.

With all this talk about fodb, storm and ACME... Guido, what's your take on DWW??  I mean, they have a good coach, great training program, a strong team with quite a few returning paddlers from last year as well.

well thank you for asking Mr. Moaner(no connotation of any form meant here).
My very own OPINION of DWW with the merger of Strathcona has probably backfired on them.  They lost several strong individuals from the Strathcona team that did not return.  This surely hurt them.  Their average age is a little higher than FODB and the others but they do have a fair bit of experience over the others.  I don't believe their fitness level is as high as FODB's though.  Hence their flexibilty and strength may not be as well defined as the others.  

Wow....you're putting so much pressure on me.....ahhhhhhhhhhhh.  
But hey.....did you see.....CIBC is entering a team under the name of FCRCC mixed crew(or something like that).

PLEASE people....don't take all my opinions so seriously.  That's why I state them to be MY OPINIONS and MY OBSERVATIONS.  It is a forum where one can express what they feel is their freedom to express.  And if you think I am slamming someone or flaming them (because I have been told to tone it down otherwise I will be banned)....please....lighten up....I do things all in good humour.  I would never slash anyone on any website whatsoever.  I have other ways I would perform such actions....(not that I would....ha ha ha)can you hear the evil laugh there).    :lol:   :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Ouch, so we're old and stiff  :cry:  Sadly, I think you have given a fair assessment of the state of things.   I suspect the average age of the team is in the mid-30s range.   And ... ahem ... some of the paddlers could really use some cross training.

Ronnie your teamates are the perfect age.  After paddling with ones younger in age I prefer the older more mature ones.  There are members on our teams that are in their 40's and some past 50 and I know they can paddle circles around some in their 20's.  Experience is everything in this sport.

I agree ,age has nothing to do with it,it has alot to do w/ ones fitness level & experience. Me ,I think I'm am in the best shape I have ever been in and I'm 42 . I weight train up to 5 times a week in the gym for no less than 1 1/2 hrs a day and thats on top of my paddleing .I bench 275 lbs for  reps ,I do bicep curls w/ 60 lbs dumbells  4 sets of 8 and the list goes on . And on top of this I also crosstrain in outrigger & run on a treadmill which has helps alot in endurance . I would never worry about someone who was younger than me as most are not at my same fitness level .It's all about what you do to better yourself and like special K said there are quite a few in their 40's on our team that are in really good shape fitness wise .Some train w/ marathon running and some do ironmans ,cycling,etc  . The only downfall w/ heavy weight training is that as you become more muscular you tend to lose a little flexability but I can live w/ that  :wink: .Also it has alot to do w/ mental ability as well as physical ............

Thanks for your encouraging comments but I was just giving Guido a hard time.  He knows that I don't mean it.  He did highlight the fact that our team has more experience.