Dragon Boat West

I see that BERNMAN had the same idea when he posted "2008 Year in Review" and I thought about doing this on his thread but ... here it is on my own. 

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming WOW ... What a ride!" - The Green Beret in You: John Giduck

This year SI Black continued to make waves in the Competitive Division finishing 1st at ADBF, Harrison, and Vernon.  We also managed 10th over all at Alcan (Silver Comp B), 4th at Victoria, and 2nd at Kelowna (Silver).  That being said it was not so much the final result that stands out but how we got there and who we competed against.

No matter what division you race in or if you race on a breast cancer, mixed, or ladies/men's team ... EVERYONE IS COMPETITIVE. Only the time in the boat will determine which level you paddle at. 

On behalf of Sudden Impact and specifically SI Black I want to thank the following teams and people that stood out this year for us (me):

FCRCC - People will write that you are the best ... can you blame them?  What I will write instead is you will not find a more dedicated bunch of paddlers.  I had the privilege to paddle with FCRCC men's team this year and I could not meet a better group of guys.  Not only have they elevated my paddling but they welcomed me in and were a great group to paddle with.  All of them stood out but I want to acknowledged Moe, Rob, Sy Bor and Chris.  I want to also acknowledge their great achievement in representing this country and the West Coast next year in Prague.

Kamini Jain - Awesome coach ... if I write anything else it will seem like I'm sucking up so I will leave it at that.

Now to the teams we battled this year ... If I forget anyone I'm sorry  

Superslim Phat Phish In my opinion one of the most improved teams this year.  You've done a great job Bernie and your team really stepped it up this year. You paddled hard all season and really opened our eyes at FCRCC Spring Regatta

Master's of the Dragon Zone I know your team was in transition but you still proved how strong you are and battled us to the finish line at ADBF (Dragon Zone) and Alcan.  We knew we were going to have to paddle until it hurt and we pulled it off at ADBF but then lost it to you at Alcan.  Great racing.

Dragon Hearts Magnum Team to watch out for next season.  They surprised us at Harrison with a gutsy performance in the final.  You had a solid season and look forward to racing next year.

Calgary Race Club All Hail the BEER BONG!!!  Alberta is well represented and Calgary Race Club is a very classy group of paddlers.  We got to race against them a few times and everytime you knew it was going to hurt.  They paddled hard at Alcan and only due to bad luck would have been there in Vernon.  Hope to see you next year and we promise not to take your jerseys! 

Pacific Reach  What a final race at Vernon!  Not only were you warriors on the water but gracious with your praise after.  We thought for sure we lost only to have edged you in at the finish.  It was an awesome race and we need to do it again and soon.

Gorging Dragons Even with half a team your guys are a handful.  Great ambassadors of the sport and true competitors on the water. 

Dangerous When Wet Congrats on Victoria.  One of the best races we've ever had was the semifinals at Victoria.  We knew you had a strong finish!  Great racing all season long.

Navy Like two powerhouse teams battling on a soccer pitch ... the exchange of jerseys was driven by RESPECT for this team.  We had not paddled against them until Victoria and by Kelowna we were very familiar with them.  Battle would be an understatement ... it was an all out war at times.  You earned those medals because like I said "we weren't going to give them too you!"  It was an honour to battle with you on the water and party with you off.


FINALLY

Elephant and Castle Booze Crews  Thank-you for all the laughs!  I still laugh at the turn at Whistler.  I know this was your curtain call but thanks for always having something more than water at your tent.  You guys were always good for a laugh for all the right reasons.

Ben Lee Thanks for all the pictures, the paddling and the laughs this year!

Honourable mentions: Gung Haggis, Water's Edge and Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Club

Mana Wahine  It would not be right not to extend the kudos to our favorite women's team.  Great job in your second year and any time you need a mascot give me a call  :twisted:

As for SI Black and Blue.  We have set our sites on competing at the Nationals in Montreal next year.  Want to join us?  

Digger Pig





 

Navy Like two powerhouse teams battling on a soccer pitch ... the exchange of jerseys was driven by RESPECT for this team.  We had not paddled against them until Victoria and by Kelowna we were very familiar with them.  Battle would be an understatement ... it was an all out war at times.  You earned those medals because like I said "we weren't going to give them too you!"  It was an honour to battle with you on the water and party with you off.


You guys and gals are awsome....    /Salute

P.S.    I have a nice SI shirt   :)

Thank you DiggerPig for your comments.  We look forward to racing SI-Black again next year  :) 

Two more teams I think deserve mention in the year end review:

Eye of the Dragon.
You always need to be on your toes when racing this team.
Thank you for your camaraderie and sportsmanship on and off the water.  Your are a great example for everyone in that department - that's for sure!

The Eh Team
These folks have really brought their game up. Congratulations on your efforts (and your hardware) this year.

Phat Phish - It's been absolutely PHANTASTIC paddling with you all!  Can't wait till next year. :D

Thanks for an awesome season, and for making this sport worthwhile!  See you next season.

Thank you very much for the nice words Digger. As always you are a class act!

I too enjoyed racing with everyone you mentioned in your post. As well as the other teams from posts after yours. We've races some more than others. Just to be in the same division as them all was an honour. Now we just have to bring it up another notch and have a bit more of a friendly rivalry! We are all friends on land but on the water we do what we all enjoy to do, race our darnedest to win!

Until next season...  8))

Enjoy the off season training everyone.

Bernie