Dragon Boat West

Thanks to our tent-mates, Fresh Off The Dragon Boat (and the paddlers from other teams who joined them), for giving us someone to cheer for in the A division finals of the Calgary races this weekend.  We'll see you at the Taiwanese festival in September!

Also a nod-of-the-head to Puppy, who put up with much shenanigans on Sunday, from our water-pistol wielding steersman and his band of thugs.  I was impressed with your announcing skills and surprised that your voice held up all weekend.

I also would like to say well done to puppy and the rest of the Watersedge crew for running a superb festival.  I think it was a bit of a shock to some of the local teams to have the festival be on time or ahead of schedule.  Not something we are used to, but needed.  WELL DONE.

puppy definatly made marshalling more interesting and fun.  thanks.  Puppy we will have to hook up for a beer in San Fran.

To everyone in Calgary....

Thank you for all the wonderfull comments...but this event would not be without you and the entire Water's Edge Crew (Jackie (MASTER),  Kat (RESULTS) , Rick (DOCK MASTER), Terry (WATER MARSHALL), Tim (TIME KEEPER) , Ben (PRE MARSHALLING), Kim (START LINE) , & Sean (WATER MARSHALL)).

In addition a huge thank you to the Vancouver Teams & Susan in stepping up and helping us....Team Synergy, ACME & FODB....

For all those who got me wet, revenge will be mine.....see you all at the next race


PS anyone thinking about racing in Calgary next year? It's a great venue to race at and the Nationals are being held there in 2007....book this one on your calendar.....

This was the first year of operation for our club and we had an amazing time.  A big thanks to Water's Edge and to Josh and his team for all their hard work.  What a difference for this year's festival!!  I can guarantee we were able to convert many of our fresh paddlers to commit to the sport for years to come because of the great time they had...THANKS!!

On behalf of the Aquanauts we would also like to thank all the teams for the great competition and for easing up on us and allowing us for a bit of success  :lol:

Looking forward to next year and hopefully gaining enough sponsorship to attend a few more festivals!!

Thanks Draco for everything! I will see you guys very very soon. It's always a delightful feeling to get cheers after a race! Thanks a bunch.

Had a blast in Calgary this past weekend!  Got some hardware in the men's races and came ever so close to hardware in Div A, consumed lots of beverage, soaked up some sun, had great times and met some great people, what more can you ask for?

Must say a huge thanks to Draco, as well as Nexen, who graciously offered to let us stay in their tent after we arrived to find we weren't allowed to use our own (more on that in a minute).  We really appreciated your hospitality and all the on-shore encouragement while we were racing, you guys are awesome, and we look forward to seeing you at Taiwanese!

Not only got to paddle with the boys from Acme in the men's div, but we were lucky enough to party with the whole Acme crew on Sunday night and I have to say, they can sure party!  If anyone hasn't been to one of their shindigs yet, you're missing out! WOW.  And thanks again to the boys for being a part of our last minute men's entry, we bonded and put together a tough combination, and the results weren't too shabby for a team that only officially came into existance on Friday!

And a huge thumbs up to the whole Waters Edge crew for doing a great job, as per usual.


Now, I do have a couple of critiques...

First, the aforementioned tent incident.  Mixed teams are paying $800+ (out of town) to enter this event.  If the festival isn't providing tent coverage (and I fully understand that not every event has the luxury or support to do that, so i'm not expecting that they would), then they should allow teams to provide their own.  Having the rentable shelters is fine and dandy, but not every team is going to want to cough up $200+ to rent one of these things, especially teams coming from out of town who are already spending a lot just to get there.  I personally was pretty annoyed to arrive there and be told that we couldn't use our tent that my mates had lugged all the way from vancouver.  As mentioned, we had an unexpected but very much welcomed host who came to our aid, but if not for that, our outlook on this festival would have been severly tainted, I assure you.

Second, the mid-festival change of the men's division race format.  This comment isn't based on anything other than principle as the results would have been exactly the same.  I and most of my teammates were annoyed to find that after the races were done on Saturday that 1 or more teams in the division complained about the race format being switched to Accumulative Time (versus the old points system used in previous festivals), and subsequently the organizers gave in to their protest and changed the format.  Again, I don't care which format was used as we came 2nd in both, that isn't the issue.  What is the issue is that if those teams had such a problem with the format, they should have spoken up before hand.  And very poor of the organizers to not stick with their original decision. 


That's it, pretty well loved the weekend and the event as a whole, well done!

Echoing rightarm's sentiment, I had a great time in Calgary.  Thank you, Draco and Nexen.  Welcoming us into your tent was a great way for us to meet new people and not be holed up by ourselves.  Expect to receive  cheers from FODB at the taiwanese festival.

Yes, Acme rocks.  Had a awesome time racing both with and against Acme. I avoided the partying after recalling all of the torso slapping they did in San Fran last year. j/k.  (but really, you guys were hurting each other) 

Getting updated periodically on FCRCC's wins over the weekend was icing on the cake.

As for the tent thing,  if it was written somewhere, i guess that was our bad.  Still, a kind team stepped in helped us out.   Thanks, again.

I agree with rightarm on changing the rules of the men's division halfway through the festival.  That being said, I'll focus on the positive.  So, congrats Crew Yahoo for their win in the Men's final 500m.  Rules and all that other stuff aside, when I lifted my head after crossing the finish line and saw your lead, I knew you guys definitely earned your win.

Congrats, Guardian Dragons for best capsize of the weekend.

-one of the paddlers from FODB and Fresh Salty Sweet and Moist

Some results for y'all...

Division A Championship
1 - Guardian Dragons - 2:05.81
2 - HSBC Pure Energy - 2:07.01
3 - Topmade Dragoneers - 2:07.11
4 - Fresh Off the Dragonboat - 2:08.04
5 - Acme Canoe Club - 2:08.31
6 - China Rose - Crew Yahoo - 2:09.91

Division B Chapionship
1 - BeatYouMan Dragons 1 - 2:18.20
2 - Citytv2006 - 2:19.66
3 - Royal Dragons - 2:21.23
4 - Raging Dragons - 2:25.34
5 - Aquanauts - 2:28.64
6 - Prairie Fire - 4:01.69

Division C Championship
1 - Harvest Hustlers - 2:22.03
2 - Waverunners - 2:24.24
3 - Canadian Western Bank - 2:30.18
4 - Snert - 2:30.34
5 - Prospect Pirates - 2:32.61
6 - TORO WHITE CAPS - 3:12.83

Women Championship
1 - Twist and Shout - 2:25.36
2 - Yahoo Angels - 2:26.20
3 - Topmade Phoenix - 2:26.27
4 - Shaolin - 2:29.37
5 - DH2 - 2:33.34
6 - Bust 'N Loose - 2:48.90

Men Championship
1 - Bunch of Yahoos - 11 points
2 - Fresh Salty Sweet and Moist - 9 points
3 - Birch Mountain Hammerstones - 6 points
4 - Topmade Inferno - 4 points

Wondering if the complete set of results is posted somewhere?

Great job Water's Edge... this was the first Calgary festival that emailed the next day's race grid the previous night.  Come back to Calgary anytime.

BlueStreak:

Will the Calgary results count towards the rankings? Thanks.

2006 Calgary race results (http://members.shaw.ca/dragonboatwest/results/2006/Calgary2006_Results.pdf)

Yes, they will count. The rankings will be updated sometime tomorrow along with the results for the Vancouver Island championship as well.

Calgary was awesome. Like RightArm, Domo, and Chris have all already mentioned a BIG THANKS for those of you all that are part of Draco Sports Club. The venue for the festival was great, water conditions were nice, the sun was out, the park was a big bonus in between races. Must return next year to Calgary, it was that good.

To Fresh Salty Sweet & Moist you boys did a great job in the Men's Championship.

ACME this weekend was good times on and out of the water.

The organizer's and the people of WATER'S EDGE, once again you guys are fantastic. Well run race weekend.

Finally a well run Calgary Festival!  Water's Edge did a great job running this festival.  Hope they will continue to run this festival.

As for the tent thing, I agree with you about the costs being very high especially for the out of town teams.  Unfortunately there is a by-law somewhere with City Parks & Rec that restricts tents to be put up.  I think the festival had to apply with the city to get the festival's tents up.

Ah...  well if that is the case then there isn't much that can be done about it, I suppose... 

Yes, I should also agree that this year's festival was indeed improved quite a bit overall from that of previous years.  Great job, Water's Edge.

Running the races on time (or even slightly ahead of schedule) is an issue that had started to improve last year after the disappointing 2004 festival.  Providing a schedule (based on placement of previous races) to the teams, so they can ensure all of their paddlers are actually at the grounds on time, is something new to us and helped ensure that we were not struggling to find paddlers two minutes prior to marshalling.  Along with providing race results in relatively short order, I'd say the overall meat and potatos mechanics of the festival were greatly improved and this is by far the most important part to those of us actually paddling.

It would be nice to have a better showing of food/clothing/goods vendors, and most importantly for a beer geek like me, a better beer selection in the beer gardens.  The Lethbridge festival, for example, had Big Rock providing the beer and there was a better variety of foods available, with some actual healthy selections as opposed to the Calgary festival's burgers, hot dogs, pizza and popcorn with only Kokanee, Bud Light or one of those nasty, overly sweet cooler drinks to wash it down with.   :(   The entertainment was improved and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves in the beer tent, especially on Saturday night's Spirit of the West show.  All said, thngs are looking up for next year!

OH MY GOD YES, BIGROCK PLEASE!  would have killed for a grasshopper over that... ugh... Kokanee.  8)  They're more local than the big boys from creston so i'm sure something could be worked out, granted they had a big promotional presence at taste of calgary, but still... bigrock = better option!

The comments about the lack of food vendors etc is very valid, but as rightarm pointed out "The Taste of Calgary" was on the same weekend, so most of the vendors went there instead, larger market.  The Kokanee was a step up from the Canadian last year.   baby steps I guess,  Big Rock one day.

i just wanted everyone to know that Puppy owes, us, Team Synergy a round of beers!! and we shall following him around to every festival, chanting "WE WANT BEER!!" until he submits!!

Dear Team Synergy,

I can't serve liquour to any minors....how about a round of apple juice?

Rightarm, Domo, Chris, Cupcake and the rest of the FODB crew...

It was a pleasure and an honour racing with the FODB boyz. We came oh so close! That 1000m race victory of ours was definitely one of the many highlights that weekend!! Man, we killed that turn!  :Cheers:

I'm glad you guys were able to come out and party with us at the Mynt...good times all around!

Thank you for making this past weekend a memorable one! Alcan 2007 Men's division.....the return of Fresh Salty Sweet & Moist perhaps?  :D

Cheers!

Right...

 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Dear LUKE....

You are not allowed to drink anymore.....if we only had a video camera to capture your "insulting" comments........

 :P

Actually, I think Lethal Weapon has some evidence.....we take bribes, if you don't want the pictures to show up on this website...

i'm still filling luke in on what happened at that beer garden.

come on, Leathal Weapon. post one or two of luke's beer garden pics.  think of it as a bribe incentive.  you can black out peoples' faces.

puppy's antics are worth posting, too.

Isn't Luke 17? 18?!?!?!

Yes, but he must be 40 before he can trully handle is liquor, like a man........

Then again... you only need to be 18 to be legal in Alberta.

woohoo my first post!

First off biggest thanks to Draco Sports Club (again) for letting FODB crash at your tent.  Your teams kindness saved us from certain frustration with the tent organizers.  The team cheers on the shoreline was just awesome and great morale boosters.

Calgary was absolutely a wicked event.  as i mentioned to my teammates i would recommend all teams to participate in this event next year.  Water's Edge did such a great job... you guys rock!

kudos to Guardian Dragons and Bunch of Yahoos who gave us such a competitive fight on the water... it was extremely fun and an exhilerating experience.

Dr.Evil:  that 1000m men's race was definitely a highlight.  we over heard one of the spectator comment... "holy sh*t did you see them make that turn?  they were so freaking fast!"  Acme guys not only paddle hard but from what i heard you guys party even harder!

now there are a few suggestions for improvement.  again i agree that there was lack of food selections (healthy.. errr... pizza and burgers don't count) and merchandise/clothing vendors at this event.  i myself was searching for some paddle gear/clothing (Typhoon 8?) and was super disappointed not to see anyone selling stuff except that 1 stand in the beer garden.  Calgary event organizers think about the money making opportunities!  

beer... my mates and i was lucky enough to hit a taste of calgary on friday.  i think more local breweries should be represented at the beer garden to give some nice selections besides the kokanee and bud light.  at the taste of calgary we had some very tasty micro brew from Brewster a local pub in Calgary.  i wish Brewster was at the beer garden.   mmm... tasty!  

as for Luke... it's so much fun watching you rampage.  in your inebriated state you kicked me, punched me and pinched me... but i forgive you!  i think you owe a certain girl on our team a big apology for your remark about her bf.   hahaha...  :whistle:
the hangover is a big lesson why they shouldn't sell alcohol to minors.  (suggested improvement:  they should do a better job at checking IDs!)

yes i think lethal weapon did take a lot of pictures of you... yikes!  we need to see at least one fun picture.  :lol:

I don't know man, these Synergy ninjas might just flip out on you :P

(http://teamspace.synergydb.com/photos/blizzy/images/27796/500x375.aspx) (http://teamspace.synergydb.com/photos/blizzy/category1117/picture27796.aspx)

Were handcuffs involved?

OK...thanks for reminding me about the crazy a$$ Ninja outfits....what where you guys thinking about, when you created this design? I must admit, it was funny watching you guys wear those outfits.....

Haha hey let's leave what happen in calgary in calgary, and let Luke pass by on this one

Although he's the most assuming drunk I've every met :D

Calgary was a good time! (lotsa work and a sore throat for me!)
Didn't have much time to shoot pics but the ones I took were all keepers (Luc...I am your father!!
Quite a difference in Racer mentality! They are definately more laid back and aren't used to being on schedule (or a bit earlier!)
Puppy was the good marshall, I was the bad marshall who had to run up and down those stairs to the racers village and get the teams down.
The racers were great and they adapted to the faster pace and in the end we finished 10 minutes ahead of schedule!
Annnnnyyywaaaayyys here are a few memorable pics of the  Beer tent antics and some other random shots. Enjoy!

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Calgary2006/86BB0383Medium.jpg) Cheap Face Lift and Ear Tuck

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Calgary2006/86BB0377Medium.jpg)
When the sand is gone, use what you can

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Calgary2006/86BB0333Medium.jpg)
Sweet, Moist and Salty.....Winners!

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Calgary2006/86BB0358Medium.jpg)
Navy guys hard at work!

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Calgary2006/86BB0114Medium.jpg)
The strange Dynasty boats

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Calgary2006/86BB0180Medium.jpg)
An uncensored "allowed" picture

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/86BB0392Medium.jpg)
Vancouver Mod Squad

Hey great site, just discovered it.

Big thanks to everyone who participated in the 2006 Calgary Festival and helped make it our best festival yet. Watersedge you guys did a fantastic job! Puppy - you were awesome, I really hope we see you in Calgary again in the furture. 8)

Hope to see some of you next month in Kelowna. :D

Martini
HSBC Pure Energy

Yeah I noticed a lot of BC out here last weekend. It was great to have the extra competition and extra party people :)

I believe Club Crew is in Calgary next year as well so I am sure there will be many BC teams out here next year as well.

I think Club Crew Championships are every 2 years but not in Calgary next year that's for sure.

I believe Mr. SilverGS was refering to the National Club Crew - organized by Dragon Boat Canada.  Not sure how successful this will be as this year's NCC in Wellands was just cancelled. 

Sorry for the confusion. Yes I meant national's. Thanks Steam :)

THe Club Crew Qualifiers AKA Western Regionals are in Calgary every other year.  The next Club Crew CHampionships is in Penang, Malaysia in 2008.

I got witnesses! Puppy agreed to give Synergy 24 beers! :D

agreed... 24 at the Taw..festival...no witnesses needed..promise is a promise...

oh my, did you never do that with your t-shirts as a kid?  when i was in elementary school, doing that was all the rage, pretending to be ninja's and "fighting" with my friends. 8)

Did Synergy even compete?  I only saw 2 of them all weekend at the Festival.  THey were supposed to be in the tent behind ours, but they didn't show up to use it!  We took over their tent on the Sunday and had twice as much room as on Saturday.

Ninjas are supposed to be very hard to spot.  :)

Exactly.  The two you spotted were probably being lazy.

I want to thank puppy for the beer, and the chugging contest! haha

Hey Synergy...

You survived....congratulations....now that's how you CHUG a beer......see you all in Kelowna.

the pushups were a nice touch  :lol: