Dragon Boat West

Looks like 2005 is the year for dragon boat races.  "Rumor" has it that Water's Edge is organizing a dragon boat race in White Rock. Information seems to have it being part of the Semiahmoo Bay Regatta taking place on April 23-24, 2005. You can see on their webpage (http://www.interyachtclub.com/Regatta.asp) that they do indeed mention dragon boat races as part of the festivities.

Some rumors flying around are that:
-it will be a 250m race course
-entry fee will be around $360CDN or $18 per person
-grand prize/draw prize of a free team entry into Alcan will be awarded along with other prizes (I heard something about carbon-fibre paddles)

Oh and apparently Colin James will be playing the Saturday night after an awards dinner

Hahaha! :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
They're trying to charge $50 a ticket for the Colin James concert!
They've got to be kidding! Okay $35 for the first 200 regatta participants, but even so...  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

OK, here's the official information...

OK, our team is interested. Does anyone know what boats will be used?

yikes. i like colin james, but not that much.

The boats being used are D-2's.  Each team will receive 2 free dinner tickets and Colin James concert entries.  If teams want to purchase more tickets they will need to contact the Charity.  There are 1000 tickets available and they expect to sell out within the next two weeks.  The tickets are valued around $49.00.  Proceeds go to the charity  :dance:

well, that makes more sense now. in retrospect, The Puck Bunny Charity Ball  following the seatosky hockey game a few weeks ago was $75, in which Colin played, and in which the proceeds went to charitly.

Ok, that makes a lot more sense!
It's been five long years!  :dance:

uh...  am i the only one who doesnt' know who colin james is? :?

Colin James is a Canadian singer who became famous in the late 80's. His style kinda reminds me of Bryan Adams.

Just wondering with this regatta... it's just door prizes right?
Does that mean that winning doesn't actually give you anything, and that all prizes (including Alcan registration) are randomly drawn?

So who's going to this?  Swordfish isn't but a bunch of us are probably going to go down to spectate.

There are some of the teams who have expressed interest in the club crew race off going.  I guess they want to warmup for the short distances in the race off.  I think I heard about 16 teams have signed up.

Hey tigger :),

can you provide the names of some of the teams that have signed up?

That's Tiger to you Moaner  :lol:

Based on the names that I have heard, there are 5 comp type teams, all of these teams you would expect in Comp A or B come June (even with the Gemini factor).  The rest are rec type teams but I would say none of the top rec teams.  Of course they may be teams regsitering as I write this so who knows.

So why isn't the "S" team in there Steamer/Chaos? Or should I say Steamed and Chaotic (hahahaha).

So let me take a wild stab at this thing...
- Roli (since we know who coaches them)
- Pac Reach
- Success?
- Alpha??
- ....  brain fried from work, can't think of one.


As for the "S" team... I'm unsure as well.

Tigger suites your peach brown fuzz  :)

Not too fried

Of course this is what I have heard.

One of the other ones that you did not mention will be a favorite at Alcan (I think).

So it should be pretty good racing for so early in the season.

Brown, I think I'll call it blonde with highlights  :lol:

Believe him when he says "fried".....but then again....ya got to have one to fry before you can say that .....hey Tigger?

So....all of this could be untrue?
I do know that Roli is going for sure....minus a few paddlers....heard they're being Dock ****s at FCRCC.

And what would make this other team a favourite at Alcan?
You have a list of favourites for Alcan Tigger?  Do tell.

It's not that early, considering most are 1/2 way through the season while others as you may have noticed.....paddle year round,  if you consider Alcan the only one.

You have colour?  Have you actually seen any fuzz on him Moaner? :lol:

Excellent, sounds like there'll be some good races to watch...thanks for the info!

 Geez............. I didn't know Gorging was going  :wink:  :lol:

I think it's GRPC United.

Paddleboy and Moaner,

Both wrong for competitive teams (if that is what you are looking at  :wink: ) but it would be good if they were there.

Tig

Who else could it be?  FCRCC Mix??

You guessed it right, of course rumours are just that.  So everything is subject to change without notice.

So the comp teams are:

Alpha
Roli
FCRCC Mixed
Pac Reach

and who else, hmmmmmmmmmmmm

Hey Moaner, I hear you are a better paddler than volleyball player, is this rumour correct?

So many rumours so little time  :lol:

Tig

 I knew they were going  :wink:  ,was just kidding w/ you . I'm  looking  forward to this race  ....... :wink:

I won't be paddling at White Rock or any DB festival this year.  Of course subject to change without notice  :)

PB, have a good race down in WR (White Rock for those that don't know).

Since I'm not that great of a paddler... Guess I must be terrible at volleyball.      :wink:

Kinda hard to play volleyball when you don't have depth perception  :lol:

so who's all going?

From what I have heard.....16 teams

In no particular ranking

Alpha I
Alpha II (I think)
Drunk n' Dragons
FCRCC Women
FCRCC Mixed
Pacific Reach
Roli I
Roli II (I think)

Don't know who the rest of the field is.

Hey Moaner.....I hear you're pretty modest.

Damn.....I forgot to argue with someone.....sorry to disappoint you..Secret(prefer this spelling) Weapon!

Alpha's only sending one boat (if that narrows it down at all). :)

Don't know how good they are this year, I haven't seen much of them on the water.  Steamy (or others who know the team better than I) do you know anything on how good/bad they are this year?

Don't know much about Alpha... other than there a few paddlers on the team were from M-powers (which folded this year).  

I just know I won't be able to keep up with the rate that Alpha is using...  :)

Hey Steamy  :lol:

What about F_DB, any inside knowledge this year?  I hear they will be in WR so inquiring minds want to know,are they a force this year  :)

Not that I am putting you on the spot or not, if so maybe Chaos can help out here, I believe they have an inside track to the going ons of the F team :wink:

i don't know nothing...   :lol:  Haven't really seen them practice this year.  But yes, they will be at WR.

Hmmm......A double negative....he definitely knows something!!!!
Has the F team ever been a threat?
Or a force to reckon with? :lol:

How about other top contenders... Roli, False Creek, Pac Reach...  Anyone have any comments on what they've seen on the water thus far?  I don't believe FODB will be a threat to the competitve level in WR, though will be for the top Rec Div.

:silenced:

Come on paddleboy...   we all know you want to tell us something  :wink:

GENERAL INFORMATION
DATE: Saturday, April 23, 2005
RACE SITE: Off the Peir on Marine Drive (15000 block)
TIME: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 pm
RACE MANAGEMENT: Water’s Edge - www.watersedgesportperformance.com
PARKING: Free parking available about 1.5 km from the Race Site - Semiahmoo Park. Metered
parking available along Marine Drive (4 hour maximum, $1.75/hour).

RACERS VILLAGE:
Grassy Area by the “White Rock” in front of the Pier
Teams can set up tents, chairs and barbeques
There will be plenty of beach (low tide), so bring some beach games
for some “Fun in the Sun” between races

RACE HEADQUARTERS:
HQ Tent will be set up by the “White Rock”
Location of Result Board
DRAW PRIZES: Draw prizes will be given away immediately following the last races of the day.
Stick around for some excellent prizes including a team entry into the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival.

RACE INFORMATION
RACE LENGTH: The race course is approximately 250m.
TYPE OF BOATS: Six D2 Dragon Boats will be used for this event (3 boat heats)
NUMBER OF TEAMS: Eighteen

RACE FORMAT:
Point System (similar to Victoria & Kelowna)
Two quallifying heats, semi-final and final
Each Team is guareenteed 4 races

RACE INFORMATION
RACE LENGTH: The race course is approximately 250m.
TYPE OF BOATS: Six D2 Dragon Boats will be used for this event (3 boat heats)
NUMBER OF TEAMS: Eighteen

RACE FORMAT:
Point System (similar to Victoria & Kelowna)
Two quallifying heats, semi-final and final
Each Team is guareenteed 4 races

RACE DAY
TEAM MANAGER CHECK-IN: 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM. Each manager will need to submit:
Team Roster (max. 30)
Signed waiver form from each participant (all participants listed on the team Roster)
EACH TEAM WILL RECEIVE: 26 draw prize tickets

RACE RULES AND REGULATIONS
Team Composition/Roster
A paddler may only paddle on one (1) mixed team roster. If there is no other choice a team may use an experienced steersperson from another team. Teams with paddlers not on their roster as of their first race may be disqualified at the discretion of Race Officials.
Steersperson and drummer can be either gender on a Crew.
The Team Manager of an adult team cannot be part of the racing crew and must be on shore.

EQUIPMENT
Only dragon boat paddles not exceeding the IDBF PS202a specifications may be used (carbon fiber paddles will be allowed). The Grey Owl dragon boat paddle meets the IDBF PS202a size specification.
Friction tape and wax may be used on your own personal paddles only.
Any “Department of Transport/Canadian Coast Guard” approved PFD will be allowed (except “self inflating jackets”) – they will be inspected by dock personnel before each race, It is up to the discretion of the dock manager if the personal Flotation Device will be allowed.

RACE COURSE
All races to be approximately 250 meters distance.
Lanes will be numbered 1 to 3 with lane 1 closest to shore (Festival side)
There will not be any lane markers, only out of bounds bouys.

THE START
Starter will position Start boat across the Start Line
Race Referee will have the boats line up in their proper lanes 2 boat lengths back of the Start Line
Race Referee will hand the race over to the Starter
If there are waves - ‘Running Starts’ will be used
Race Referee will have the boats line up 3 boat lengths behind the Start Line
Race Referee will hand the race over to the Starter
The start commands will be:
1. “PADDLES UP”
2. “ATTENTION PLEASE”
3. An air horn blast or similar signal (from 1-5 seconds after “attention please”)

RE-RACE RULES
At the official’s discretion, a re-race may be ordered when:
There is a false start called by the Starter, or
There is clearly a collision within the first 50M of the race, or
There is an equipment breakage, other than paddle, within the first 50M of the race
There will absolutely be no grounds for re-races once all boats have passed the 50M mark, except one that is initiated by Officials under extraordinary circumstances.

PROTESTS
Protests require a $50 non-refundable fee and the protest must be in written form.
A team may protest:
Illegal paddle/PFD used by another team, a crew not complying with the roster rule
Collision initiated by another team during the race
A protest must be brought up prior to your team leaving the Dock area. Otherwise, the offence cannot be verified.
A team may not protest:
Boat/lane assignment
Interference from another boat that did not result in a collision

PENALTIES
At the Official’s discretion, a minimum 10-second penalty or team disqualification may be imposed for the following infractions:
Verbal/physical abuse to any Official/Volunteer
Crew does not comply with the Official Team Roster
False starting
Crew does not follow Official’s instructions to change course, resulting in impeding another crew or resulting in a collision with another crew
The use of unofficial paddle/PFD

Here's the official list of competitors for the WR race.. and in no particular order...

Elephant & Castle Booze Cruise
FODB
Abreast on the Deas
Team Ruckus
False Creek Women
Abreast in the Cove
Drunk'N Dragons
Pacific Reach
Nothin' Dragon Seniors
CIBC Kingston Dragons
Alpha Dragons
Abreast on Falsey (False?) Creek
Just Dragon Along
Roli Canada
Abreast in Barnet
Roli Canada II
False Creek Mixed
Dragon's Edge

I guess this means wash riding is allowed? :shock:


I have a feeling this regatta is going to end up like Kelowna.  The outside lane furthest away from the shore has the advantage.

sweet.  this'll make it interesting.  we should have Little Boat racing again.  and stop jacking my lines.  already have to deal with poopy doing so.

Hey everyone.. i live in white rock.. so i'll be there to watch you all race.. my team isn't in it though... .. still many newbies learning (including me!!!).. so I wish all the teams have a great race and good times!!!!

i think the best feeling of all is proving to other people that they are wrong.  i believe in letting everyone have their opinions and that 's what all this pre-ranking is for, but a couple of us on FODB (who read these forums quite often) were wondering why you didn't think that we were a comp level team, especially for white rock that didn't have a lot of teams. i'll leave it at that cause i like to let our actions do the talking   :wink:  :wink:

as for the festival, here were the top 4 placings (couldn't remember the rest or times but they ranged from 0:55 - 0:59):

1) FCRCC Mixed
2) Pacific Reach
3) Roli Canada I
4) FODB

overall, i didn't find this festival too bad for it's first time.  we started off about 45mins behind, but waters edge got everything back in order and almost back to the regular schedule, so good job to them!!  the 250 meter race was quite the experience (now i wish all our races were 250m instead of 500m  :D  :D ) the wakes were pretty bad at times but it gave us a opportunity to feel a different type of ride.

oh ya, a big congratulations to the Grandragons...i believe they came in 5th (please correct me if i was wrong).  they are a team that everyone hopes to be at that prime age  :wink:  :wink:  :wink:

As for the free entry to alcan, Just Dragon Along won the draw.

I'd stand corrected in my ranking of FODB.  I knew a few teams had really stepped up their training regime this season and wasn't sure what FODB was up to.  I'm sorry  :oops: and my hat is off to your team.  Congratulations on a job well done.  Also a big  msn(u)  to Team Ruckus who beat a strong False Creek Womens team, I'm not sure where they ended up but congrats to you as well.  Looks like alot of teams have become much stronger and it's anyones guess to this years Alcan title.  All I can say is let the games begin!!!

Why are we taking our hats off to a few teams that made it into the top 10 of an 18 team event.
It's was the 1st exhibition race of the season and it's just past the 1/2 way mark for some teams....barely beginning their assent to peak.  At least some of us are hoping this was their peak and are now on their descent.

Some of the teams that went to this event....didn't even go with their full rosters....some (FODB as an example) picked up paddlers from OTHER strong teams(won't mention who)....so....I wouldn't bow to any of them.

Kudo's to those that participated...and hope they had fun....but let's face it....these are the exhibition races.  I definitely wouldn't go around boasting about placing top 5 at such an event.

i think someone forgot to take their happy pill today   :D  :D  :D

i don't think anyone was boasting about anyone, secret and i had a small disagreement, it was settled and we were just saying congrats to a couple of the teams that had been at the festival.  if you have a problem with us congratulating the granddragons or team ruckus (which kinda shows sportsmanship   :wink:  :wink:  :wink: ) then i guess that's your agenda i'll happily accept it.

as for us taking on OTHER strong paddlers (which i don't think 2 people really make a difference on a boat of 20 paddlers), i'm not expecting you to bow to us nor any other team.

as for boasting about placing in the top 5, i don't think anyone really will do that as this was a "charity" event and i believe a lot of us did have fun even though they were exhibition races.

actually, FODB has decided that this year, will consist of a DYNAMIC roster with people coming in and out of the team as they please.   We've been trying this over the past couple of years when the team roster changes post-alcan.

Heck, apparently, history has shown that some of the most competitive teams who hold the ethos of, "we'll do anything to win", or that the "ends justify the means" have relied on replacing paddlers at the 11th hour by flying in competitive paddlers from all over the world.

With MY newly acquired silent sponsor, that's what I intend to bring to the FODB boat.   Yeah, spending 8 hours detailing a $250,000 car for free, or spending over a week polishing a restored muscle car (for free) tends to bring about some good conversation in regards to "favors"

I've always believed that to strike fear in the opponents hearts so early in a competition, or in the season is the best way to throw them off their game plan.   This has always been proven to be an effective technique amongst tribal warfare in many countries from Scotland to Africa to the Americas.

So, yes...  let all these "pre race rankings" begin and jibberish continue.   There is always strategy beyond the docks, and genius extends beyond just what is seen on the water.

I had a lot of fun down there yesterday.  It was a beautiful day - perfect weather, lots of eye candy, and some awesome volunteers. Got an incredible sunburn on my face, had some great races, and ended up going to Colin James at the end of the day.  Quite funny - They ran out of plates...so we had to wait around for half an hour for some guy to go to save-on-foods to get more.

ah.. so happy to be teamed up with the poop and zeph.  

to be brief...water's edge and all the teams who raced FODB, thanks. it was lots of fun.

EYE CANDY ?   :shock:    Were you lookin at me again ?  :wink:


 Yeah.............fun day .It was great ,we got into our boat in the first heat to find we had a hole in the bottom of the boat at the back and it was comin in like someone turned on a tap,lol.We asked for some chewing gum from the dock people and we plugged it and it seemed to hold fine

 In the final we took on alot of water over the sides from the waves and to our surprise someone took the bailer out of the boat so we tried to do it w/ our hands but wasn't much success .It was a good race ,had a great time. Glad to see some teams have improved and the granddragons  :shock:  what a power house,lol ........experience and wisdom over youth and muscle .

Hey Guido!

I couldn't agree with you more! You seem to be a level headed fellow and always have some pretty good input on this site. I have seen a fair amount of your posts in the past. You have lots of years in DB racing and I always enjoy what you have to say because of your experiences.

I usually just read and hardly put anything in writing due to my previous team's rules. That was my previous coach's rule actually and he did not allow anyone to go to this site to post anything. Anyway new team for me this year with no stupid rules like that. LOL

It was a good day with good weather off water. But lousy water conditions with winds and water coming into the boats made for some interesting racing conditions for all teams to put up with. Nonetheless I feel the way things ended up for the teams that were there was probably the way I would have predicted it.

I will say that PR did look pretty awesome considering how they've looked in the past. Good to see their work appears to be paying off. FCRCC Mixed looked hot as usual and to think they've only recently got out on the water to practice together they did very well. I heard they only started practicing as a mixed crew just about a week or so now.

They did well but I would have expected more from them.  

Of course these are the same men from the FCRCC Mens team from last year who got beat in the men's division by a team who had their first practice Friday night and had never been a Gemini until Saturday.  I hope they perform better this year, I see they have a very good coach (one of the coaches of the Grandragons and we know how they have improved over the years).

In fact I heard some from their own team say that other teams out there were better technically.  

Of course this does show brute force can win some races :-).  Got to go to the gym now so I can be pumped for the next festival (2 weeks is enough time to get in buff right  :lol: ).

Here's a recap (http://www.network54.com/Forum/thread?forumid=135730&messageid=1114319786&lp=1114451133) of the race from the East regarding the White Rock race.

Did any one check out the WWE wrestling match between two of the Drunk'n Dragons in Racer's Village?  Those guys are nuts.  A little advice to the little guy from the Legend Killer - low blow and then an RKO....never fails.

Official Results from the Dash for Charity race in White Rock.

Division A Final
1) False Creek Mixed
2) Pacific Reach
3) Roli Canada
4) Fresh Off The Dragonboat

Division A Consolation
5) Grandragons
6) Alpha Dragons
7) Team Ruckus
8) Roli Canada II

Division B Final
9) False Creek Women
10) Drunk'n Dragons
11) Just Dragon Along

Division B Consolation
12) CIBC Kingston Dragons
13) Elephant & Castle Booze Cruise
14) Granddragons Too

Division C Final
15) Dragon's Edge
16) Nothin' Dragon Seniors
17) Abreast on the Deas

Division C Consolation
18) Abreast in the Cove
19) Abreast on Falsey Creek
20) Abreast in Barnet