Dragon Boat West

Well another race is upon us this coming weekend. Anyone know who will be there? Anyone have any predictions? Being that its during the Labour Day long weekend it seems not too many teams will be competing in it. Maybe too many teams are having problems fielding a team? Its the last long weekend of the summer so maybe people are heading out of town instead? The DBA website says registration is full. I wonder how many teams that means? I think the 2005 year was where they had 39 teams according to the results page on their website.

FCRCC will be there.
I have it on good authority that they will be doing 'drinking and paddling' LOL
*Attention Please*
*chugs beer*
*Air horn*


We had this issue as well...Its meant to be fun races, yet many seems to not be interested in it.
Magnum will be there but under a different name and 60% of our paddlers + a bunch of paddlers from other teams :D

EDIT: i meant to say a bunch of paddlers from other teams instead of ringers lol

Anyone have a list of the teams entered in this year's Taiwanese festival?

I heard only 25 teams have entered. Race grid is not out yet either.

Oh well means lots of time for barrel racing an nogard and other silliness :)

Just so long as the "fun" races are not used to calculate rankings.

Has that ever been a concern???  :?

Not before... but previously rankings were based on the final positiong at a regatta... now Bluestreak loads all the races (not just finals) into his nifty little program and the winners take the losers ranking.

If a team like FCRCC missed a flag or lost control of their boat in the NOGARD race and a lowly ranked team like say Gung Haggis (no offence Todd) was in the same race, some really weird shifts could happen to the rankings (like what happened with CRC at Vernon).

No, I will not be using the fun races to calculate rankings. ;)

ONLY TAIWANESE boats are being used this weekend.  No teak boats, or Millenium boats.

Wing Wong told me this on the weekend when Gung Haggis rented a Taiwanese boat for practice.  This means that every 500m race is a Flag Grabbing race!!!  Woo-hoo!!!

TAIWANESE boats will also be used for ALL fun races including the "BARREL RACE" - this is very cool, because the Taiwanese boats are flat bottomed and can spin on a dime... just like those DYNASTY boats from Calgary.

Only 25 teams registered - which is sad, because it means in the 6th year, registration is down. 
This is a very unique event which is great because: 
1) This is classic dragon boat racing just like in "ancient times" when flag grabbing determined the winners before stop-watches were invented.
2) The Taiwanese Cultural Festival http://www.taiwanfest.ca (http://www.taiwanfest.ca) is a very interesting festival filled with lots of Taiwanese culture, food, music, displays.  It is now the "most Asian" dragon boat race/regatta that I have been to in BC, Washington, Oregon or California.
3) These are the prettiest and most colourful dragon boats I have ever seen in Vancouver, or North America.

No word on whether Taiwanese beer will be available... but it is probable.

My guess is that there will be a special award for "First Place after FCRCC"
Dragon Hearts Magnum may be going for it...
Riptide and Hon's Dragon Bowl are also attending.
Team Naluwan should also be making a repeat performance, as their paddlers are drawn from the youth group of the Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Association.

No offence taken Paddlecwazy...  Gung Haggis team prides itself on being the highest ranked kilt wearing team on the rankings grid.  :D

Ummm Todd, NFW already said that about 60% of the original Magnum team will be there but not under the Magnum name, and they are bringing in other paddlers from other crews. So I wonder if this could be what a new and improved Magnum could look like or just a mixed crew from comparable teams just getting together to "field" a crew. So DH Magnum won't be there. At least that is how I understood it from the way I read NFW's post earlier in this thread.

This pretty much sums it up BernMan. We acquired a handful of Eye of the Dragon paddlers to field a team in the festival.
I believe we are going to be called Eye of the Magnum or something along the lines of this haha

Draco from Calgary will be there.  We Love this festival and feel that we should have an advantage in the Barrel race because we are from "Cowboy Country"-haha

Race grid is out.

Teams participating will be:

Strathcona Youth Dragons
RaceFace United
FCRCC Mixed
Team Storm
Eric Hamber Eternal Dragon
Dragon Hearts Beat
Riptide
RGL United
Ready, Jet, Go!
Naluwan Lightning Silver
Dogwood Nothin Dragons
Draco Stealth
Superslim Phat Phish Racing Team
Elephant & Castle Booze Cruise
SFU Scaly DragonBytes
Hon's Dragon Bowl
Gung Haggis Fat Choy
ScotiaBank Dragons
Synergy Rice Rockets
Flying Butts
The Eh Team
Eye of the Dragon Hearts Magnum
Red Fusion
Naluwan Golden Warrior
Friends From Taiwan

Where can I get my hands on the race grid? How can I find out what time the races are at? Anyone see it anywhere? The DBA website doesn't have it. (Unless I am too stupid to find it in the right place but it isn't under the downloads section.)  :?

This time we can safely say you're not being too stupid....  :wink:

Check with your team manager, it was probably e-mailed to them.

Well this sucks! My team manager (the true team manager) is out of town and I can not get into his email address. Anyone wanna send me a copy to my email address? Please send to coachbernie@telus.net.

Thanks and good luck to all teams this weekend!

Here's the first set of races:

10:00 AM   >>>>>>    Race 1    <<<<<<
Sat   Preliminary Round - Heat 1
   Taiwanese Flag-Pulling Boat

Lane   Team   
1   Strathcona Youth Dragons   
2   RaceFace United   
3   FCRCC Mixed   
4   Team Storm   
5   Eric Hamber Eternal Dragon   


10:20 AM   >>>>>>    Race 2    <<<<<<
Sat   Preliminary Round - Heat 2
   Taiwanese Flag-Pulling Boat

Lane   Team   
1   Dogwood Nothin Dragons   
2   Draco Stealth   
3   Superslim Phat Phish Racing Team   
4   Elephant & Castle Booze Cruise   
5   SFU Scaly DragonBytes


10:40 AM   >>>>>>    Race 3    <<<<<<
Sat   Preliminary Round - Heat 3
   Taiwanese Flag-Pulling Boat

Lane   Team   
1   Dragon Hearts Beat   
2   Riptide   
3   RGL United   
4   Ready, Jet, Go!   
5   Naluwan Lightning Silver   


11:00 AM   >>>>>>    Race 4    <<<<<<
Sat   Preliminary Round - Heat 4
   Taiwanese Flag-Pulling Boat
Lane   Team   
1   Hon's Dragon Bowl   
2   Gung Haggis Fat Choy   
3   ScotiaBank Dragons   
4   Synergy Rice Rockets   
5   Flying Butts   


11:20 AM   >>>>>>    Race 5    <<<<<<
Sat   Preliminary Round - Heat 5
   Taiwanese Flag-Pulling Boat

Lane   Team   
1   The Eh Team   
2   Eye of the Dragon Hearts Magnum   
3   Red Fusion   
4   Naluwan Golden Warrior   
5   Friends From Taiwan

Ok I will be the first to predict just the winners in the first round.

In race #1 I think its a no-brainer, FCRCC.

In race #2, I have no idea since I am not familiar with Draco and E&C have usually been a pretty competitive bunch as well. I would say pick 'em between Draco, E&C and Phat.

For race #3, and no disrespect to Ready Jet Go! but I think RGL has that one.

For race #4, another no brainer with Scotia.

And lastly for race #5 I think the EOTD+Magnum combo should take it. It would appear Red Fusion could be the favorites but if 60% of Magnum and 40% of EOTD merge, that combo can really pull it together as one solid team. Both EOTD & Magnum placed in higher divisions at the RTADBF in June.

Your Phatties are ranked to win the race and you're not going to predict them as winners?????

Draco came 4th in Group C last year, just behind E&C.. and your team was in Group A.

Unless the Phish have gone backwards since last year, they should take this race easily.

IIRC, the two teams have improved since then.

FCRCC are pretty much no-brainers for all the races, unless they catch the wrong flag again. ;)

I predict bad stomach cramps and other fun side effects from too much spicy food and kicking over at least one kid....
Don't forget the interesting entertainment and bad karaoke.
U mean there is racing also?
I better take pics.....

BernMan, PM me if you still need a copy of the Race Grid (if by chance, no one has sent you one since 3PM today lol)


I think its safe to assume that Phat Phish will take that round easily unless the team's roster is not at its optimum.

I do hope the logic of putting the best 60% of Magnum + best of 40% EOTD paddlers would make for an awesome hybrid team but for now i reserve judgement haha

FREE VIEWING of the Race Finish - along the sea walk.  West of Plaza of Nations. Come to Cooper's Park - East of the Cambie St. Bridge.  Watch the starts from Science World/Creekside Park
The Sea Walk is NOT closed. But Plaza of Nations will be gated off.
Taiwanese Cultural Festival http://ww.taiwanfest.ca (http://ww.taiwanfest.ca)
is about $10-$12 for admission. voted best cultural festival many times.

SATURDAY
11am prelimary races #1-5 every 20 minutes
11:40 15 minute break
11:55 Blindfold race #1
12:15 Nogard race #1
12:35 Barrel Races #1 -10 every 5 minutes
1:35 Qualifer Races - every 20 minutes
Last race 2:55

SUNDAY
10am semi-final races  - every 20 minutes Race #13-17
11:40  Blindfold #2
12:00  Nogard #2
12:20  Barrel Race #11-15 - every 5 minutes
12:45  Blindford #3
1:05   Nogard #3

1:35  Women's Race for medals
1:55  Men's Race for medals

2:15 - 20 minute break

2:35 Race # 24 Consolation
2:55 Race # 25 Group D Medal Final
3:15 Race # 26 Group C Medal Final
3:35 Race # 27 Group B Medal Final
3:55 Race # 28 Group A Medal Final

anyone know why riptide was disqualified in race 12? i think that was the last race for today.

The story is that they got DQ'd in the re-race against Eyes of Magnum for having only five girl paddlers instead of eight.

Anyone have any results?

A Final
1 - FCRCC Mixed
2 - Superslim Phat Phish Racing
3 - Eye of the Dragonhearts Magnum
4 - RGL United
5 - ScotiaBank Dragons

B - Final
1 - Red Fusion
2 - Ready Jet Go

after that I'm not too certain... I'm pretty sure Draco Stealth won the C Final

Barrel Races
FCRCC Mixed         2.01.06
Draco Stealth         2.21.87
Team Storm         2.24.43
SFU Scaly DragonBytes      2.24.88
Eric Hamber Eternal Dragon                 2.27.27
Eye of the Dragon Hearts Magnum   2.30.45
Gung Haggis Fat Choy      2.33.46
Dogwood Nothin Dragon      2.34.19
Strathcona Youth Dragons      2.36.99
Friends of Taiwan         2.39.20
RGL United         2.42.06
The Eh Team         2.53.52

BlindFold Races
FCRCC Mixed         2.35.54
Eye of the Dragon Hearts Magnum   2.49.91
Draco Stealth         2.54.56
RGL United         2.57.56
SFU Scaly DragonBytes      2.59.03
RaceFace United         3.02.46
Eric Hamber Eternal Dragon      3.02.57
Red Fusion         3.02.80
Strathcona Youth Dragons      3.04.57
Dragon Hearts Beat      3.04.94
The Eh Team         3.06.16
Team Storm         3.07.53
Flying Butts         3.07.57
Dogwood Nothin Dragon      3.13.96
Friends of Taiwan         3.14.37

Nogard Races
FCRCC Mixed         2.58.27
Eye of the Dragon Hearts      3.09.99
SFU Scaly DragonBytes      3.12.14
Dragon Hearts Beat      3.18.32
RGL United         3.19.27
Team Storm         3.20.60
Strathcona Youth Dragons      3.21.57
Friends of Taiwan         3.22.79
Draco Stealth         3.39.06
Ready, Jet Go!         3.41.14
Gung Haggis Fat Choy      3.58.94
Riptide            4.00.10
Dogwood Nothing Dragons       4.15.72
Flying Butts         4.18.84
RaceFace United         DNF

Women's Round

1. Creek Boozers (FCRCC/E&C)   2.49.44
2. Phat Scotia (Phat/Scotia)      2.51.71
3. Rice Girls (Team Storm, Ready, JET, Go! and Riptide)      2.59.27
4. Eternal Fusion Face (Eric Hamber/Red Fusion/Race Face)   3.10.31
5. Naluwan Hotties (Naluwan/Friends of Taiwan)      3.21.81

Men’s Round

1. FCRCC (FCRCC/Chris Grunow)   2.23.09
2. Phat Scotia (Phat/Scotia)      2.32.62
3. Got Durian? (Ready, Jet Go/Riptide)      2.33.82
4. Fusion United (Red Fusion/RGL United)   2.35.09
 
Consolation Round

1. Dragon Hearts Beat      3.02.42
2. Flying Butts         3.05.32
3. Strathcona Youth Dragons   3.05.75
4. Hon’s Dragon Bowl                3.07.25
5. Friends of Taiwan      3.14.89

Group D Final

1. RaceFace United      2.52.87
2. Riptide            2.53.20
3. Naluwan Lightning Silver      2.58.90
4. Eric Hamber Eternal Dragon   3.00.80
5. Dogwood Nothin Dragons      3.10.77

Group C Final

1. Draco Stealth         2.53.75
2. Synergy Rice Rockets      2.54.18
3. The Eh Team         2.55.92
4. Elephant & Castle Booze Cruize   2.56.25
5. Gung Haggis Fat Choy      3.02.48

Group B Final

1. Red Fusion         2.47.27
2. Ready, Jet Go!         2.47.57
3. SFU Scaly DragonBytes      2.52.17
4. Team Storm         2.55.67
5. Naluwan Golden Warrior      3.05.60

Group A Final

1. FCRCC Mixed         2.31.22
2. Superslim Phat Phish Racing    2.36.59
3. Eye of the Dragon Hears Magnum   2.37.32
4. RGL United         2.41.89
5. ScotiaBank Dragons      2.46.02


 

Managed to get video of the races shot from one of the chase boats. Here's the first set of final heats:

A Final
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=TV6KsuvNdZ8&fmt=18

B Final
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=8b8QMb4g6-Y&fmt=18

Awesome vids Bluestreak! Thanks for posting.  :)

Now thats a different vantage point.  Excellent !!

Rice Girls (third in women's race) is a joint team of Ready, JET, Go! and Riptide. 

Fun festival all around, missed the beer garden, love the camaraderie. 

Don't forget about the Team Storm component!
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Vancouver%20Taiwanese%20DB%202008/P1020569.jpg)

Yes, of course!  We adore her so much we sometimes forget she's from Storm.  Thanks Team Storm and J!

Oh demi-god know as BlueStreak... if we could only get video images of final races for all dragon boat events...

C'mon, there must be some photos from dock side. :P

ummm.... Okay....

Anyways, here's the other two finals. :)

C Final
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=IpK-2Gd29wU&fmt=18
(The chase boat had to park near the party cruise boats to keep an eye out as they came out, so only about half the race could be recorded)

D Final
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=rUV0Te0Nh04&fmt=18

Moved....

Any videos of the Women and Men's race?

Sorry, none here.

Great video of the races! They should have that more often...
thanks!

Amazing video!! Thanks a bunch!

As much as it pains me to see it... Riptide came in 2nd after RaceFace in the D finals with less than 0.4 difference. Angles, angles...

Last batch of videos!

Consolation Round
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Azyb2vGMarI&fmt=18
The chase boat in this race followed the boats from behind which didn't make for very interesting footage. At least the start of race was shot right next to the boats.

Random Barrel Race :)
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGTe-mur_N0&fmt=18
This year's barrel races were done in Taiwanese boats for the first time. Doesn't look much different though... Perhaps these boats are too heavy to get them up to the speed required to take advantage of their flat hulls.

wow thanks for posting the consolation final race
really thanks a lot : we are often overlooked :P

Good job Dragon Hearts on the win for consolation!

Hahaha, thanks Amanda
U guys arent shabby yourselves. U got urself some nice hardware!
See you around in practice then!

ON the behalf of Raceface, I want to give a shout out to everyone and especially Riptide for an amazing race(s).
As a paddler who's been on raceface since the beginning the memory of that final still makes my heart race =D

the intensity, the adrenaline , the screaming xD - that was one helluva weekend for all of us =D

THANK YOU <3

Video of FCRCC in the barrel race.  They're sliding through the turns really well. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuIQUpNtyi8