Dragon Boat West

Hello Fellow Dragon Boaters,

       In a conversation I held with our team coach last night he mentioned to me about a Men's Seniors team that had a drummer around the age of 9-11 years old? 

My question - is there any age restrictions on caller/drummers at regatta's like FCRCC/ IDBF/ ALCAN/ VICTORIA/ KELOWNA/HARRISON or VERNON?

Thanks
Digger 

While asking ... is there any age restriction on Steersperson?

This would be for a semi-competitive/competitive mixed teams for both questions. 

 Apparantly not at the world club crews......  the team "Eat Trout" ( a top cdn eastern comp team ) was useing a very young person to do the drumming and that person maybe weighed 70 something lbs .They raced senior ( 40+) mixed and mens and I know there was a protest but it was apparantly within the rules ....made no sense since everyone else had to be over 40 but it was smart of their part to lighten the ft of the boat

 Didn't matter we ( Roli ) still beat them in the 500 and they were third  :D

 I don't think there are any age restrictions .........if there was, the worlds would have had it .The only rule was that they had to beat the drum

Has anybody ever lost a race because he durmmer didn't drum?

 I know silly rule and some were penalized for it .Pac Reach recieved a penalty in 1 of the semi's  for not drumming enough

i remember in last year's Alcan regetta we didn't have a drummer.  actually we didn't have a drummer most of the day... until someone protested... so we got a girl and told her to just sit in front and be quiet.  fun...  8))

Yes it's true, Eat Trout had a young girl maybe 10-11 yrs of age weighing in at approx 55-60lbs, but would the outcome of those races been different if they had the experience of a motivated drummer at the front.  I myself would prefer the added weight and experience over a child at the front of my boat.  For those teams who have great drummers I think you'd all agree motivation, experience and drive go a long way. How much dragon boat racing knowledge did this girl possess, was she able to let the team know their positioning during the race, did she call for pushes, did she curse at them to go harder when they need that extra inch to win???...  I think Eat Trout suffered accordingly and paid the price.

I asked my question because my current team is having a difficult time getting someone to come out that would only be interested in calling (we have a fantastic caller but she is equally as great a paddler).  There are a lot of good junior teams and I think it would be interesting to try out a junior in the caller seat because (1) they would not be eligible to paddle in an "adult" division and (2) ... have you heard some of those teen girls or even guys out there?  They have a set of lungs!  Again if their is no rules to restrict age limit of the drummer it would be a great way to get some juniors interested in the sport, especially if you don't have a junior program in place.

Ummm I think Jr are eligible for adult division. Lets take the layom eagles who were 9th in comp A this year and first in the jr division at Alcan

ha, was totally a jr. in adult division

you need a drummer?  I'd be interested.  I've got a great set of lungs, and am a svelte 210lbs with a 4 inch thick inner tube around the belly (heredity, I swear).  Motivated worker, independant, and willing to learn on the job.  I'm currently sweatin' to the oldies and doing the Billy Blanks videos to lose some weight. 

I've got a heart as big as my appetite and am a total team player!  I can guarantee 100% turnout at all practices, races, pasta feeds and team BBQ's.

If you're interested, please don't hesitate to contact me: [email protected]

References available upon request

Yes, this guy has a great set of lungs and a nice smile to match...or so I hear... :P

you need a drummer?  I'd be interested.  I've got a great set of lungs, and am a svelte 210lbs with a 4 inch thick inner tube around the belly (heredity, I swear).  Motivated worker, independant, and willing to learn on the job.  I'm currently sweatin' to the oldies and doing the Billy Blanks videos to lose some weight. 

I've got a heart as big as my appetite and am a total team player!  I can guarantee 100% turnout at all practices, races, pasta feeds and team BBQ's.

If you're interested, please don't hesitate to contact me: [email protected]


LMAO!!!!!!!!  Oh wait ... your not serious  :twisted: right?

yah, he's been gaining a bit of weight recently.... :?

True, but sometimes the team is short people, or scheduling conflicts within the race prevent using the good drummers for some races.  In cases where the good drummers are not available, usually the lightest person available (and eligible if the rules restrict age and/or gender) is put in the drummer's seat.

From what I have seen, dragon boat rules in western North America festivals about age and gender apply only to paddlers.  They seem to forgo that rule for sterns and drummers.  I have not read the IDBF rules on this.

I am guessing because some out-of-town teams may have a steersperson unfamiliar with the territory and would rather have a local person (see Alcan), or teams may be short on the roster and find a last-minute addition as a drummer.