Dragon Boat West

Hi everyone,

For those of you who are scheduled for Festival Practices - they will be held at Dragon Zone. Look for the green Club trailer, located at the Southeast corner of False Creek beside the Science World Aquabus dock (about a one minute walk south of Science World along the seawall). There is parking behind the trailer and along the south side of False Creek; please make sure you do not in a no parking area. There are porta potties and changerooms, but no running water - we are trying to get drinking water, but please come prepared with your own just in case. PFDs and paddles will be supplied, but you may also use your own. No less than 10 and no more than 22 paddlers may be on the boat at any given time (note that this does not include drummer and steersperson, just paddlers).

And please:
- inform me in advance if you are not able to attend a scheduled practice session
- submit a signed and dated Team Waiver (and Individual Waivers for Junior teams) to the Race Registrar at least 10 minutes prior to your first scheduled Festival Practice session (only one Team Waiver is needed for all Festival Practices, changes should be submitted on an Additions/Deletions Waiver). Crews should assemble in the marshalling area at the practice site at least 5 minutes ahead of their scheduled start time.
- begin and end your practices on time
- do not leave the dock for practice until permission is granted by the dock master or other designated dock official
- stay East of the houseboats located before the Granville Street bridge (i.e., do not go past the Granville Street bridge).

Practice Conduct & Safety Regulations

„X During all practice sessions, each team member shall obey all instructions given by the Race Officials
„X PFDs must be worn in the proper manner by all crewmembers
„X All boats are to proceed in a counter-clockwise direction in the practice area and shall obey all normal boating practices, including keeping to the right, yielding to large commercial traffic (tugs, barges) and charter boats that are restricted in their ability to manoeuvre and stop quickly in the confines, narrows and deep water channels of False Creek, and doing all possible to avoid a collision
„X Dragon boats must keep a safe distance away from other marine craft and their wash/wake at all times, and not impede the progress of any other marine craft in its vicinity
„X All dragon boats must go through the centre span of the Cambie Street Bridge
„X Teams must avoid drumming, yelling, and otherwise disturbing the peace and quiet of the residents living along the South shore of False Creek and on the houseboats at the Spruce Harbour live-aboard marina

Thank you in advance.

Leah Nagano
Race Registrar
2004 Alcan Dragon Boat Festival
www.adbf.com