Dragon Boat West

Hello Everyone,

    The race grid is out and for those teams coming the first two rounds will be based on accumulated times.  Not on how you place - i.e. 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.  We want every race to count.  So I hope that clears up any confusion.  So does anyone care to make any predictions on who is going to finish in the top 5 for mixed and top 3 for women?

MIXED DIVISION

ALPHA Dragons
Chilliwack Thunder Strokers
Chilliwack Engine & Auto Repair
Concord Pacific Flying Dragons Too
Deep Cove Catch 22
Delta Flying Dragons
Dogwood Nothin Dragon Seniors
Elephant & Castle Booze Cruise
Fresh Off the Dragonboat
Fort Langley SOAR (Spirit of a Renegade)
Just Dragon Along
Lotus N'Sinc
MacKenzie Mussels
Mission Park Travel Dragonflies
Ordeal
Phat Phish Racing
Pirates
Ready Jet Go
ROLI Canada
Saints Preserve Us
Scaly Justice
Splash Test Dragons
Strathcona's Dangerous When Wet
Sudden Impact Dragon Boat Team
Sword Fish
Synergy Young Gunz
Synergy Speeders
Synergy Soulmarines
TD Lightning
Team Vortex
VO2 Max

WOMENS DIVISION

Abreast in a boat / In the Cove
Canadian Construction Women
Chilliwack Water Warriors
Cultus Lake Dragon Flyers
Dragon Ladies
Fort Langley Fliers
Fort Langley Kindred Spirit
Fort Langley Rec Team
Fort Langley WOW (Women On Water)
Friends Abreast
Insink
Kelowna Pacemakers
North Shore Sirens
Soul Sisters
Spirit Abreast & Friends
Sunshine Dragons Hypnautix

One more late entry might be in the works for the women division - if I don't hear by Friday then it's a no go ... really good team rumored to be interested - keep you updated.

Well..not that I'm biased or anything (on a women's team), but my predictions for the women's division are that the Dragon Flyers and Water Warriors are gonna be duking it out for gold, unless this "mystery" women's team comes...Hoping for us tho! (Water Warriors) We have a score to settle..hehe! As for the mixed div., I think that TD Lightening and Sudden Impact will be head to head for top team! Good luck all! :lol:

Sry, can't seem to find the race grid anywhere.


Oh and....DWW, Roli, FODB.

No offence to any of my friends on teams that I don't mention on here but my predictions for top 5 are as follows in no particular order:

DWW
Roli
FoDB
Syngery (which ever is their strongest)
Phat Phish (this is obviously a biased prediction but also a wish!)

Hey Bern Man! You are NEVER BIASED!
I don't know who predicted TD And Sudden in the finals but I am sure ROLI, DWW and FODB will have something to say about that!
Heard they are basing the seeding on total times in the first 2 heats which is nice except a lot of it will depend on which boat you draw (I heard Barney may be coming to visit....) and the water conditions at the time (the wind picks up really fast on the lake!)
Hopefully the "fast" teams will make the comp division interesting!
Predictions are a tough one as ROLI and DWW are not bringing their full teams (but will still be tough!)

I will put a guess at:

1. DWW
2. ROLI
3. FODB
4. Sudden (home field)
5. this will be a toss up - TD, VO2MAx, Swordfish (defend our DQ from last year  :lol:), Phat or JDA

Mind you with the wide range of boats that are being used a slow boat can change anything!

Looking forward to a great day in beautiful Harrison and Congrats to FVDBA for setting up what looks like a fun day of racing and ...... :P

I'll be snapping all day as well so SMILE for the camera!

I think the first and second place will be interesting to see the ROLI and DWW boats as they're not bringing their full teams.   Same goes for FODB... we've picked up quite a paddlers for different teams for the start of this post-alcan season...

Personally, I'd like to get a medal, but I'm more interested in doing that survival race...   apart from longboat (which I've only done once last year), a change from your 500m race is quite welcome!

Try this (it was not there a day or so ago, but is now):  http://www.fraservalleydragonboatclub.com/FileLib/RaceGrid2006.pdf

Rather a curious format: two pre-assigned heat grids, rather than the "go to this heat depending on where you finish in your first heat" format used in Alcan (& all other regattas I've ever been in, I think).  The seeding will be VERY crucial to who finishes where in the heats, obviously.

But then the advancements, into Comp/RecA/B, will be based on combined heat times, not heat finish order:



So I guess it will work out in the end ... best teams to Comp, etc.

In other words ... paddle HARD people, even if you've got open water on the pack 100 metres in ...

Sure hope the winds & waves are consistent thru the morning!!

7 days an' a-countin' ah is ... 4 races in one day, plus da barrel races ... oh boyo, ah cannna' wait ...   :D

And a note to the organizers (Mr. Digger - are you the Bossman?) ... please, please, PLEASE don't bring Barney, folks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Been there, done that ... yes, he's sloooowwww & heavy & creaky ...  :upsidehead:


Dan

what the?! that thing still exists?!? 

1.) DWW
2.) Roli Canada
3.) FODB
4.) Alpha (if they bring their stroke rate down to 72)
5.) JDA
6.) Vo2Max or Swordfish

First off I am not the boss and would never want the job ... little rewards for all the hard work!   :shock:  I'm helping with the race grid and we've corrected the wording on how the rounds will develop.  We acknowledge that we can not please everyone, but having two rounds where the seeds were randomly drawn made it the most fair(in our opinion).  This way it's literally luck of the draw and not someones opinion on who is a top team and who is not.  We think any one on any day can elevate their team to a higher degree than previous regatta's.  Again - that said there are some obvious teams that would have to be considered favorites - Roli Canada, DWW, Alpha ... You should underestimate Sudden Impact as it only works in our favor :P

Here is the new wording - I hope this clarifies and corrects any concerns.  If not ... hmmm 

Note1:  Seed for Round 3 (SEMI) is based on the accumulated race times from Round 1 and Round 2.
Note2:  Seeds for the FINALS based on placement in previous race (semi-finals) + fastest 3rd place time.  Ties are broken based on cumulative times.
Note 3: For the Semi Finals and Finals lane placement will be based on lane conditions and time's throughout the day

Any word on the possible late entry in the woman's division??? Are they in or out? Could we have a final roster?? :DThanks! (Nothing like 20 questions!)

FCRCC Women had made some inquires about coming out ... it was too short a notice when we got back too them  :(

So everything is set - no more teams to be added.

Hope that answers your question ... I really wanted FCRCC Women to come out - but it wasn't in the cards for this year. 

Harrison is a fresh water lake , so no salt (or effluent) to help with bouyancy, so some times may suprise you .Its quite a tight but interesting schedule,and the later races look like they are going to be highly contested.  Weather forecast for the w/end is good, so bring the sunscreen.
Mizz-Drag-on-boat will be held during the break, and promises to be better than last year!,with even more mizzes signed up.
Good luck to all teams ,,,,  :clap:

Sorry, I was just joshin'.  Been there (a sort-of bossman, in a volunteer group) - know exactly what you mean about "rewards"!  Ther ARE a few, 'tis true - but the forehead gets a wee sore after being banged on too many times.


I agree.  I was a little taken aback when I first saw the heat grids - but that was only because it was so different than any races I've ever been in (FC & Alcan, Richmond, White Rock, Vic, Kel, SF, Kent).  But you're right - it is indeed fair.

And may I add that it's clever, too ... assuming you don't have enough seeding info (how many watchers/spies does Alcan have, never mind their own prelim "test regatta", to help figure out the seeding??) ... well then ... just throw 'em all in the water willy-nilly (or an approximation thereto) for a pair of heats, see who comes up with the best combined times.

Wouldn't work in FC, nor Rich or WR or Vic or SF - they're in tidal waters.

Thanks for the additional info about the placement basis for the Semi-to-Final advancements, and the lane assigments.

See y'all there next weekend.  Pray for sunshine!

Dan

P.S. to Steamrollers Moaner

Rate?  Ummm ... you'll just have to wait & see!  We've done practices as high as 100+ ... boat flies, paddlers die!! :lol:

But different boats, different water => differing rates.  70-something can be a nice rate, too, depending ...

Then again - have you seen any of the FC Men's practices lately?  It's just in training, I know - but they DO seem at times to have taken on a distinctly "Alpha rate".   :wink:

No need to pray for sunshine..as of today, the forecast for Sat. out there...41 C!!! It'll be a roaster! :shock:

Just another reminder to all teams attending ... don't forget about the Paddler's party after the awards ceremony.  We only have a hall big enough to hold 300 - 350 people but there will be lots of  cold beer and coolers on ice.   I think we're also going to have a big screen TV with the days races on it (don't quote me on that one). 

Then again ... they might regret getting me to pick up the drinks on Friday  :twisted:

mmmmmmmmmmbbbbbbbbbbbbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

More info please..  :D

yes, more info please.  info on this regatta in general isn't easy to come by, i've been to the FVDB website and there isn't much there either.  i know harrison isn't exactly huge, but even posting things like where this hall is located, or even the paddlers village for that matter, would be nice.

START TIME

The Paddlers Village opens at 7:30 am with racing starting at 8:30 am. All teams that are asked to arrive a minimum of one hour before your scheduled race time. For those teams coming Friday we are permitting you to set up your tent on Friday night AFTER 7:00 pm. We will have security on board at 9:00 pm – 7:00 am Saturday morning. May I suggest not leaving your personal belongings over night, just your tent w/ chairs and any large items.

PARKING;

Please visit the Harrison website to get a local map of Harrison at www.harrison.ca. Parking will be available in the following areas;

¨       Village of Harrison office parking lot

¨       The field to the left of the Village office building (which is on the right hand side as you are coming into Harrison)

¨       Harrison Hot Springs Elementary School

¨       Miami River Drive

¨       Walnut Ave

¨       Poplar Ave

¨       Behind Lakeview Restaurant on Lillooet Ave
     

You can unload at the Gazebo at the end of Harrison Hot Springs Road and Esplanade, where there is a designated unloading area. The paddlers Village is located on the lagoon on the other side of the public washrooms, south of the sand castle display.

REGISTRATION

ALL teams must register at the registration tent upon arrival. For those teams that do not have their ROSTER and WAIVER forms in yet, you will need to hand those in at that time. Please ensure that ALL waivers are complete upon arrival to save time. There will be some extra waivers there for those that did not get a chance to sign them prior to the Festival.

MANAGERS MEETING

There will be a managers meeting at 8:00 am just below the washrooms at the front of Paddlers Village.

MIZZ DRAGON BOAT CONTEST

We have had an excellent response to this fun contest happening during the lunch break just below the washrooms. Just a reminder to those who have registered for this to come prepared! I have attached a list of current registrations.

SURVIVOR CHALLENGE RACE

We are FULL for the Survivor Challenge race, thanks to the excellent response to this race. This will take place immediately following the awards ceremony. All teams registered need to sign in at the registration tent upon arrival. Please note the attached list of registered teams for this race.

AFTER PADDLE

We are having a PRIVATE PADDLERS PARTY at the Memorial Hall from 6:00 – 10:00 pm at the Memorial Hall, located at the corner of Esplande and Maple Street. (South West of the lagoon) You MUST be wearing a wrist band in order to enter into the Hall and MINORS ARE NOT PERMITTED :(. We will be showing video of the day’s races and featuring Jazz Guitarist Brent Ellis.

Okanagan Springs Beer & Strong Bow Cider Tickets will be $4.00.

Smokey Creek BBQ Company we will be selling BBQ Chicken and Pork sandwiches at $4.00 each

With Gourmet salads at $4.00 each

Please keep in mind that the Hall only holds 300, so it will be first come first serve.
 

WEATHER
They are forecasting a VERY HOT day on Saturday so please come prepared! There will be complimentary water (thanks to Nestle Water and Save On Foods) and water for sale available at the Save On Foods Tent.

 

FOOD VENDORS

Save On Foods will be set up selling hot dogs and hamburger along with other snacks in the Paddlers Village. All the net proceeds will go to support the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Please come out and support the kids!

Thanks for choosing the 2nd Annual Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Festival! We are looking forward to an excellent day of racing and FUN!

Paddles Up :twisted:

Hope that answers your questions RightArm ... sorry for the delay - busy busy busy

you rock buddy!