Dragon Boat West

Considering what happened yesterday at the Dash for Charity at White Rock... I'm starting to wonder what will happen to that race. It grew in the number of participating teams from the previous year and as most festivals will definately grow further. The organizers made a difficult decision to cancel the race which from what I heard was well run.

I just want to put this question out to the community... if the April 250m races are held again next year, should they keep it in White Rock or move it to another location/venue?

if it wasn't for the huge waves, White Rock's a pretty nice place. But for the sake of not having the same problems with tide and extra-choppy weather, I'd recommend False Creek, Richmond, or even Barnet Marine Park.

I agree the event was well-run, so I'm looking forward to seeing that the 250m races happen again next year. Kudos to the organizers for putting safety first.

Keep the races in White Rock.  It's a beautiful venue, but it does present some challenges.

Given the water conditions, perhaps it is not an event for novice teams.  I understand that there were some teams at White Rock that were going to be racing for the first time as a team.  This may not be the best place for that.  It may be that this event should be targetted to more experienced teams.

I think the race organizers also have to take a more active role in ensuring the boats are loaded correctly for the water conditions.  In the 9 and 1/2 races that ran (number 10 being the race with the boat swamping) I saw some teams that were bow heavy and were plowing the waves badly. For some teams with heavy paddlers, there may have been a case for restricting the team to 18 paddlers.

Having a boat swamped could happen at Victoria, Nanaimo, Harrison, Kelowna or any of the festival sites where the wind can really come up and whip up the waves.  We get a little spoiled practicing and racing on sheltered waterways like False Creek.

StraightLine.

FYI Straightline from what I understand the on water race officials had warned any team that appeared to not be well balanced. Again to my understanding some teams chose to ignore those warnings or perhaps did not understand what the warnings were all about. As you know I am a race official but I was not working Whiterock this year. Last year I did work and knowing that there were swells I insisted that the team move their paddlers to better balance their boats so to minimize the risk of a swamping/sinking. Usually you can tell who the more experienced teams are so I usualy do a FYI type warning to the crews but to those crews that I don't know very well I may insist on it. Someone mentioned that perhaps Whiterock is not a good intro to DB racing for newbie teams. Unless the water conditions are better I tend to agree with that.

keep it in white rock.. but maybe move to a later date when there is a better chance of sunshine

is white rock the only 250 meter race in the BC area?

Here in cali the CDBA has one 250 meter race in july.  it is a joint event with the local outrigger association.  we race on the same course interleaving the dragon boat heats with the outrigger sprints. 

We've got the GRPC Spring Super Sprints here in Victoria on May 28.  This is the second year running what now looks like an annual event. 

You can find our more at:

http://www.gorowandpaddle.org/events/super_sprints.php

May 28th.....Hmm ,day after the FCRCC Women's regatta..Maybe its time to visit the island and warm the lens up.....Too bad AA is no longer around.. :( (but the spirit lives on!  :D )

You can come cheer us on - we've got Claire, Loreli and Sue from AA.

Are there any mainland teams coming over to race the island 250 super sprints?  I know the top island teams (GDs, Dragonauts, Xtreme Reach, etc) will be on hand.  Over 25 teams registered last I heard.  Maybe Lethal Weapon can bring his camera AND some friends to race?  It's cheap to enter, and it's always the more the merrier...