Dragon Boat West

Summer in Hong Kong is Spectacular with Canadian Teams to compete at the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races

All that’s great about summertime in Hong Kong is encompassed in the region’s Summer Spectacular Festival – a fun-filled, city-wide programme of events and activities that take place from 17 June until 31 August.



The exciting happenings include the ‘Summer Pop – Live in Hong Kong’ concert, the Lan Kwai Fong Beer Festival, the Summer International Film Festival and a variety of tempting privileges and discounts in the city’s various shopping malls and department stores. And then there’s what many consider the highlight: the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival. And Canadian teams will be there!

Hong Kong is the birthplace of modern international dragon boat racing and the region remains the place for this exciting sport. It all started in Hong Kong back in 1976; then the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) was established there in 1991 and dragon boat racing was included as an official event in the 16th Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China, in November 2010. Now one of the key missions of the IDBF is to achieve recognition as an Olympic sport. (This requires 75 eligible countries; so far the sport is practiced in over 60 countries and regions.)

Now the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has formed a partnership with the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association (HKDBA) to organize the annual Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races (from 17 – 19 June this year) in a carnival format in Victoria Harbour. The excitement of competition, the noise, the colours … all in such a setting … it will be a spectacular event, celebrating traditional Chinese culture with competitors and visitors from around the world.

It is estimated that the event will attract over 200 dragon boat teams from the local community, and overseas countries. Dragon boating in Canada began at the World Expo in Vancouver in 1986, when the city was given six dragon boats by Hong Kong. Now dragon boating has become a popular sporting activity in major cities across Canada and has evolved beyond festivals to include community, charity and sport racing in many combinations.

Sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, eight Canadian teams will be taking part in the Hong Kong Carnival this year. These paddlers – approximately 150 in number – all hail from the False Creek Racing Canoe Club (FCRCC). The FCRCC has been involved in paddle sport training and racing programmes for over 25 years, making False Creek one of the premier locations for dragon boat training in Canada.

The four top teams are the FCRCC Premier Men, Premier Women, Starbucks Waverunners Komodo Dragon and Creakside Masters. The remaining four teams are known as ‘recreational paddlers’ and their groups are the Lifescan, Riptide, Dragon Hearts Beat and Starbucks Waverunners Sumatra. Some groups are experienced international award-winning teams, while for others the Hong Kong competition will be their first on the international circuit. But whether experienced or not, all contestants are excited about competing in Hong Kong as well as seeing some of the region’s famous sights.

All attending the send-off reception for the False Creek Racing Canoe Club dragon boat teams in Vancouver on 31 May, and, in fact, all of Canada – will be wishing our teams ‘good luck’ and a wonderful stay in Hong Kong during the region’s ‘Spectacular Summer’.


http://www.travelvideo.tv/news/hong-kong/06-01-2011/summer-in-hong-kong-is-spectacular-with-canadian-teams-to-compete-at-the-hong-kong-international-dragon-boat-races (http://www.travelvideo.tv/news/hong-kong/06-01-2011/summer-in-hong-kong-is-spectacular-with-canadian-teams-to-compete-at-the-hong-kong-international-dragon-boat-races)

DRAGON BOAT RACING & FESTIVALS 2011

Dragon boat racing is a popular sport in Hong Kong which has an estimated 30,000 active paddlers. During 2011, Hong Kong hosts major dragon boat festivals, the traditional Tuen Ng dragon boat races on 6th June at various locations and the three-day Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival which features the Sa Sa 2011 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races at East Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade at Victoria Harbour from 17th to 19th June.





HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL (TUEN NG) 6th JUNE 2011

The dragon boat races at the traditional Tuen Ng Festival on 6th June see local races taking place at several locations including Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun (Castle Peak Bay), Cheung Chau, Tai Po, Aberdeen, Discovery Bay and Tai O on Lantau Island and Stanley, which hosts the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships. Details of events taking place on 6th June are;

ABERDEEN - 2011 Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race, 8-30am to 4pm, Aberdeen Promenade, Admission free for viewing on promenade. Free by ticket only for spectator stand (contact Aberdeen Dragon Boat Race Committee tel: 8107 3488 for information)

STANLEY - *Stanley International Dragon Boat Championship 2011, 8am to 6pm, Stanley Main Beach, Admission free

SHA TIN - Sha Tin Dragon Boat Race 2011, 7-30am to 1pm, Shing Mun River (starting near Banyan Bridge), Admission free

SAI KUNG - The Sai Kung Dragon Boat Races Gala 201, 8am to 1-30pm (and carnival 1-30pm to 5pm), Sai Kung Town Waterfront, Admission free

TUEN MUN - Tuen Mun District Dragon Boat Races 2011, 8am to 1pm, Castle Peak Bay Typhoon Shelter, Admission free by ticket (contact Tuen Mun District Dragon Boat Race Committee tel: 2542 6520 for information)

TAI PO - Tai Po District Dragon Boat Race 2011, 8-30am to 1pm, Tai Po Waterfront Park Promenade, Admission free

DISCOVERY BAY - Discovery Bay Dragon Boat Race and Carnival 2011, 8am to 6pm, Tai Pak Beach, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Admission free

TAI O - Tai O Dragon Boat Race in Celebration of Tuen Ng Festival 2011, 10am to 2pm, Tai O Sheltered Boat Anchorage, Admission free

CHEUNG CHAU - Dragon Boat Races, 10am to 4-30pm, Cheung Chau Typhoon Shelter, Cheung Chau, Admission free


The Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese Duanwu Festival) is a lunar holiday, occurring on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and known locally by its Cantonese name Tuen Ng. This festival is a significant holiday celebrated in China and the one with the longest history. The name for the festival in China was originally the Upright Sun Festival but this was changed by foreigners to the Dragon Boat Festival, notably for the dragon boat races, held particularly in the southern provinces, Hong Kong and Macau where there are many rivers and lakes. This festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a popular poet and minister who is said to have committed suicide at the age of 35 by drowning himself in a river on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 277 B.C. Qu Yuan was an honest and loyal minister who was held in high esteem in the kingdom of Chu (situated in the present day Hunan and Hubei provinces). When a corrupt prince vilified Qu Yuan, he was disgraced and dismissed from his office. Realising the kingdom was now in the hands of evil and corrupt officials, Qu Yuan jumped into a river. Nearby fishermen tried to save him and were unable to recover the body. Mourning the death of the poet, the people threw cooked rice so the fish would eat the rice rather than their hero. The spirit of Qu Yuan appeared in the river and said that a huge reptile in the river had stolen the rice offering and suggested that they wrap the rice in silk and bind it with threads before throwing it in the river. This later turned into the custom of eating “Zong Zi” (boiled glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves) and rice dumplings to symbolize offerings to Qu Yuan. The dragon boat races represent the attempts to rescue and recover the body of Qu Yuan.

The Dragon Boat Festival at Tai O on Lantau Island is also home to a waterway praying ceremony known as the “Deities Parade” which dates back over one hundred years and which has been submitted to be included on the national list of intangible culture heritage in China. Tai O villagers take deities, in the form of small Buddha statues from four local temples, and place them three small boats, known as “God Boats”, which follow a dragon boat along the waterways of Tai O, whilst residents of the stilt houses burn incense and pray for peace and safety and to drive the plague away. After the ceremony is over the dragon boat races commence for the deities to watch.

*For more information about Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships see;

http://www.dragonboat.org.hk/en/home/homepage.html (http://www.dragonboat.org.hk/en/home/homepage.html)

See also;

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/events/festival-dragon-boat-racing.html (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/events/festival-dragon-boat-racing.html)








HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT CARNIVAL 17th to 19th JUNE 2011

Hong Kong’s Dragon Boat Carnival, which features the Sa Sa 2011 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, is again being held at Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront at Victoria Harbour following the success of last year’s carnival. Between 2000 and 2010 the international races had been held on the Shing Mun River at Shatin but last year the organisers, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association (HKDBA), along with Hong Kong Tourism Board decided to raise the profile of the races and make the carnival a “mega event” and major tourist attraction. The three-day 2011 carnival, which runs from 17th to 19th June, will be the 36th anniversary of the international races.

The annual regatta began in 1976 as a fishermen’s boat race involving nine local and one Japanese team and was the first international dragon boat race, setting standards which have subsequently been adopted in over 60 other countries and regions. Since its initiation the regatta has rapidly expanded with last years races featuring over 100 teams from twelve countries and regions including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Malaysia, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. The exhilarating and colourful races will be held in six lanes over a 640-metre course and are expected to draw about 50,000 spectators daily. Races are held in 16 categories including open championships, women championships, mixed championships, junior championships, inter-company championships, fishermans championships and travel industry and hotel championships. About 200 overseas and local dragon boat teams and 6,000 paddlers, including 1,000 overseas paddlers, will compete in the races. Teams consist of 28 members including manager, coach, paddlers, reserve paddlers, drummer and steersman.

Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade will be decorated and there will be numerous events including San Miguel Biergarten at UC Centenary Garden, Dragon Boat Exhibition, food stalls and entertainment performances to add to the carnival atmosphere.

In the event of the races having to be cancelled owing to adverse weather they will be held at a later date at Shatin.

Last year, 2010, to coincide with the races the Home Affairs Department organised a Dragon Boat Family Carnival at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza and Avenue of Stars featuring the Dragon Boat Cultural Exhibition and Family Fun Days. Large traditional dragon boats made of wood and panels introducing various types of dragon boats were displayed to showcase dragon boat culture and the history of the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races. Experts were on site to offer briefings and demonstrations for the public to learn and experience rowing. The family carnival also featured stage performances by local organisations, booth games, clown shows, a kids zone and traditional arts and crafts. It is not known at the current time whether the family carnival will take place again in 2011.

Further information to follow when available




The captain of the four Canadian False Creek Racing Canoe Club (FCRCC) dragon boat racing teams, Mr Kerry Chow (right), presents "Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival" souvenirs to the sponsoring organisations' representatives at the 2010 carnival. From left are Vice President of HSBC Bank Canada, Mr Paul Irving; District Vice President of HSBC; Ms Jocelyn Hsiung; Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto, Ms Maureen Siu; and Director, Canada and Central and South America, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr Michael Lim. FCRCC won one gold, two silver and one bronze trophy in the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival 2010



OTHER DRAGON BOAT RACES;

Dragon boat races also take place on other dates around Tuen Ng;

15th MAY - LAMMA ISLAND, Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival 2011, Tai Wan To Beach, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island, 8-30am to 6pm, Admission free

19th MAY - LAMMA ISLAND, Lamma Island (South) Dragon Boat Festival Celebration for Tin Hau, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island, 10-30am to 2-30pm, Admission free

29th MAY - LANTAU ISLAND, Mui Wo Dragon Boat Race Open 2011, Silvermine Bay Beach, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, 8-45am to 4pm, Admission free

29th MAY - CHEUNG CHAU, Dragon Boat Races 2011, Waterfront in front of Buddhist Wai Yan Memorial College, Cheung Chau, 9am to 4-30pm, Admission free

2nd JUNE - LAMMA ISLAND, Southern Lamma Invitational Dragon Boat Race, Lok Chau Wan, Lamma Island, 10-30am to 2-30pm, Admission free

5th JUNE - CHAI WAN, Eastern District Dragon Boat Race, Chai Wan Cargo Handling Basin, 9am to 4pm, Admission free



http://www.hongkongextras.com/_dragon_boat_festivals_2011.html (http://www.hongkongextras.com/_dragon_boat_festivals_2011.html)

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Premier Womens
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Dragonheart Beat
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Riptide
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Lifescan
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Starbucks Waverunners Sumatra
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/_MG_0917Large.jpg)
Starbucks Waverunners Komodo
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/_MG_0913Large.jpg)
Creakside Masters
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/_MG_0945Large.jpg)
Premier Men

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Team Captains with Sponsor Michael Lim (HKTB) & Catherine Yuen (HKETO) & Karisa Liu (HKTB)
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/_MG_0893Large-1.jpg)
Sponsors

The Premier Women get better looking every year...

haha
Must be the playoff beards.....

     
HKTB SENDS OFF DRAGON BOAT RACERS IN STYLE
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(http://www.hellowesttravel.com/gallery/HKTB_Dragon_Boat_Races/HK01.jpg)
(http://www.hellowesttravel.com/gallery/HKTB_Dragon_Boat_Races/HK06.jpg)


Eight teams representing Canada at Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races receive well wishes from HKTB
Greg Klein
Less than 24 hours before game one of the Canucks’ NHL Stanley Cup Finals series, the crowd at Vancouver’s Victoria Chinese Restaurant was brimming with excitement.

But not about hockey.

The subject on everyone’s mind was quite a different sport – dragon boat racing.

The May 31 event was a send-off for eight paddling teams who are about to represent Canada at the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races from June 17 to 19. To see them off in style were representatives from one of their sponsors, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

“The reason we’re here tonight is we have eight strong Canadian dragon boat teams going off to Hong Kong very soon,” said Karisa Lui, assistant manager of marketing for the HKTB. “We wish you well and hope you bring back lots of trophies.”

Michael Lim, director for Canada

Michael Lim, director for Canada, Central and South America, HKTB , Central and South America, HKTB, explained how this relatively new sport has helped bond Canada with Hong Kong.

“Modern dragon boat racing started in Hong Kong in 1976,” he said. “We celebrated Expo 86 by donating six dragon boats to Vancouver. Since then, Vancouver has really become a powerhouse of international racing.”

Last year, Vancouver sent four teams to the Hong Kong competition, returning with one gold and two silver medals. This year, the city is sending eight teams, all from the False Creek Racing Canoe Club. That’s the highest number of teams Hong Kong will see from any overseas country.

Vancouver’s False Creek, by the way, was falsely named. It’s not a creek but a bay with lots of room for lots of boaters. But powerhouse or not, Vancouver’s just one of nearly 20 Canadian cities, including Calgary and Edmonton, where the sport has found a following.

This year’s competition takes place among a carnival atmosphere in Hong Kong, Lim explained. “It’s the anchor event of our Summer Spectacular running from June 17 to Aug. 31. This year’s theme is Hot Events, Cool Place. Visitors will also be able to enjoy summer sales, visitor shopping, the Lan Kwai Fong Beerfest, the Summer Pop Live in Hong Kong concert and the Summer International Film Festival. Following the Summer Spectacular will be our Mid-Autumn Lantern Celebration and our Halloween Treats festival. You might be surprised to hear this, but Asians flock to our theme parks to experience haunted Halloween Hong Kong style.”

October’s spooktacular is followed by November’s Wine and Dine Month and December’s Winterfest, ending with the New Year Countdown Celebrations.

Next year Hong Kong hosts the Eighth World Club Crew Championships, the world’s ultimate dragon boat competition.

“Apart from these signature events, we have new hotels, including the world’s tallest, which opened last month,” Lim added. “We have amusement parks and theme parks. Disney is in its fifth year of operation. There’s exquisite dining, fantastic shopping and unique cultural experiences. There’s always something happening every moment in Hong Kong, Asia’s World City.”

With direct flights from Vancouver, Hong Kong is also a convenient point to set off for other Asian adventures. While the dragon boat paddlers spoke enthusiastically about the teamwork, commitment and passion of their sport, they also discussed their travel plans following the Hong Kong competition.

Stephanie McLean said she and her husband would head to Shanghai. Greg Lamb said he’d spend a week in Hong Kong, then visit Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam.

Karina Abe said that several people on her team will go on to Thailand. Looking forward to her first Hong Kong adventure, she said, “I heard it’s like New York times 10.”

John Joe agreed: “The city doesn’t shut down. And of course there’s the shopping.”

Pam Warkentin said it will be her first trip to Asia. “I’m super, super excited,” she said.

Attendees also watched a webisode of an eight-part online video series created by CTV in partnership with the HKTB. Lim recommended the series to anyone interested in the destination. Watch Destination Hong Kong: Asia’s World City online at hongkong.ctv.ca.

http://www.hellowesttravel.com/reportages.php?sequence_no=34529 (http://www.hellowesttravel.com/reportages.php?sequence_no=34529)

As many as you all know, we will bringing the LARGEST International Crew to Hong Kong this year. We've included novice, recreational and competitive paddlers. We hope to not only race well in Hong Kong but also support a charity in Hong Kong.

It is please to announce that all 8 FCRCC Teams will be brining donations to a local Hong Kong Charity - Po Leung Kuk  
 http://www.poleungkuk.org.hk/en/about-po-leung-kuk/our-vision-and-mission.html (http://www.poleungkuk.org.hk/en/about-po-leung-kuk/our-vision-and-mission.html)

 The Po Leung Kuk (Chinese: 保良局) (Society for the Protection of Women and Children) is a charitable organisation in Hong Kong that provides support for orphaned children, education and other services.
 
 We will be bringing Sun Glasses (Donated by Clearly Contacts - www.clearlycontacts.ca (http://www.clearlycontacts.ca)), books, shampoo, clothes, toys, games, stationary, pens, educational dvd and more.

There are 250 Children - ranging from ages 1 -17 years of age. These children/youth can use all the love and support we can give.

 If you want to donate any new items to the children (and we can fit in our luggage), please give it to one of the following teams in False Creek  (Riptide, Lifescan, Dragon Hearts Beat, FCRCC Starbucks Waverunners Komodo, FCRCC Starbucks Waverunners Sumatra and/or, Creakside Masters). We will not be donating any cash, only donations in kind.  


Founding of Po Leung Kuk

In the late 19th century, abduction and trafficking of women and children were widespread in Hong Kong, under the mui tsai system. On 8 November 1878, a group of local Chinese presented a petition to the Governor of Hong Kong, John Pope Hennessy to set up Po Leung Kuk to rescue the kidnapped victims and the society was officially opened in August 1882.

The stated objective of the Kuk, as it is informally known, is to care for the young and protect the innocent. In the early days, it was primarily engaged in suppressing abduction of women and children and providing shelters and education for such victims. There were some difficulties with the colonial government, as a result of cultural differences, but the overall intention of improving the lot of unfortunates was earnestly pursued.

However, it has been suggested that the arrangements the Kuk provided had the convenient effect of maintaining a supply of servants and potential concubines for the wealthy Chinese families of Hong Kong, in a "peculiarly Chinese form of patriarchy".

Over the following century, the Kuk gradually evolved into a diversified organization in line with the social and economic changes over time.
 
Here is video of the children from Po Leung Kuk
 
blondie and kids from Po Leung Kuk orphanage Hong Kong '06 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql04VOC4uMU#)

World Journal Newspaper (only in Chinese) - if someone wants to interpret it, please do...

http://van.worldjournal.com/view/full_van/13508992/article-%E8%B5%B4%E6%B8%AF%E7%AB%B6%E9%BE%8D%E8%88%9F-%E8%B3%BD%E8%89%87%E6%9C%83%E8%AA%93%E5%B8%AB?instance=bc_events (http://van.worldjournal.com/view/full_van/13508992/article-%E8%B5%B4%E6%B8%AF%E7%AB%B6%E9%BE%8D%E8%88%9F-%E8%B3%BD%E8%89%87%E6%9C%83%E8%AA%93%E5%B8%AB?instance=bc_events)


赴港競龍舟 賽艇會誓師
記者王露溫哥華報導 世界新聞網 北美華人社區新聞


Read more: 世界新聞網-北美華人社區新聞 - 赴港競龍舟 賽艇會誓師

 
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圖片 1 / 2呂婉霞（右二）與出征香港的8支隊伍的隊長合影。（記者王露/攝影） 端午將至，其間的龍舟競渡不僅是亞洲傳統盛事，近年來更在加拿大東西岸都受到熱烈追捧。今年6月17至19日，加拿大溫哥華福溪賽艇會（False Creek Racing Canoe Club）應邀參加在香港維多利亞港舉行的「香港國際龍舟邀請賽」。
31日晚，香港經貿辦事處為福溪賽艇會舉辦誓師大會，並且送上象徵好運的中國古代錢幣，希望他們此行能夠旗開得勝。今年將由八支加國隊伍，約150位划艇好手與來自世界各地的逾200支龍舟健兒代表隊划槳爭勝。

在八支勁旅中，最強的四隊分別為男子精英聯隊、女子精英聯隊、星巴克逐浪者哥摩多龍隊、以及福溪龍舟大隊，其餘四隊則由業餘人士組成。男子精英聯隊的萬子業表示，他與隊員自1月開始就為這次國際性比賽做準備，他說：「由於溫哥華與維港的海上波浪幅度不同，我們在訓練時甚至出動汽艇在龍舟旁製造波浪，來模擬維港海域上會遇到的情況。」他亦介紹，由於加國多元的環境，出賽隊員不僅有華裔、西人還有印度裔的朋友，大家同心協力，對此次「出征」很有信心。

香港旅遊發展局代表呂婉霞表示，「溫哥華的龍舟因緣始於1986年的世界博覽會，那時溫市獲香港送贈六艘龍舟，此後大大小小的龍舟活動蓬勃崛起，逐漸發展成集慈善與運動競技於一身的多元化盛事。」她很高興這次能夠邀請到八支加國代表隊參賽，同時她也希望土生土長的華裔移民可以借此良機踏上「尋根之旅」。

Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, during the Dragon Boat Race is not only the traditional events in Asia, recent years have been in the east and west coasts of Canada in hot pursuit. This year on June 17 to 19, Vancouver, Canada False Creek Rowing Council (False Creek Racing Canoe Club) were invited to participate at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong "Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races."

31 evening, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office for the False Creek boat launching ceremony will be held, and brought the ancient Chinese symbol of good luck coins, hope they can hit the ground running in this line. This year will be eight teams in Canada, about 150 rowing athletes from around the world with over 200 dragon boat rowing team athletes win.

Crack in the eight, the most powerful men were the elite four-team leagues, and women's elite leagues, and Starbucks by Langzhe Gemo more Dragons, and False Creek Dragon Boat Team, the other four team returned from the amateurs personalities. Sub-elite wing of the million man business that he started with the team since January to prepare for this international competition, he said: "As the Vancouver and Victoria Harbour, the sea waves of different magnitude, and we even sent out during training at the boat launch beside the manufacturing wave, to simulate the waters of Victoria Harbour will encounter the situation. "He also, due to the diverse Canadian environment, the race team is not only Chinese, Indians, Westerners still friends, we work together, on the "expedition" very confident.

Hong Kong Tourism Board Lvwan Xia said, "began in Vancouver in 1986 cause the Dragon Boat World Expo, when Vancouver sent a gift of six of the Hong Kong dragon boat, dragon boat activities have flourished since the rise of large and small, and gradually developed into a charity and sports diversity in a competitive event. "She was very pleased that Canada will invite representatives of eight participating teams, and she would like a native Chinese immigrants can take this opportunity on a" roots trip. "

Off of Google Translate

Hey everybody, this is what happens when you think you know everything by blindly using technology.  Let's see what Google comes up with in translating.  I know, this is a really bad translation, but I had to have fun with it. BTW I am interested in how the real translation reads, if anyone has the time.
-------------------------
Dragon Boat racing competition will be pledging to Hong Kong
by Wang Lu (Vancouver)

Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, Dragon Boat Racing are not only the traditional events in Asia, recent years have  had crews from east to west coasts of Canada strongly compete. This year on June 17 to 19 in Vancouver, Canada, False Creek Racing Canoe Club were invited to participate at the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong's "Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races."

In the evening of May 31st, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office for the False Creek boat launching ceremony will be held, and brought the ancient Chinese symbol of good luck coins, hope they can hit the ground running in this line. This year will be eight teams in Canada, about 150 rowing athletes(?) from around the world with over 200 dragon boat crews trying to win.

With eight teams, four of them competitive crews made up of men's elite, women's elite, and Starbucks Waverunners Komodo Dragon crews, make up of FCRCCC Dragon Boat Team, with another four crews are made up on recreational paddlers. (I lost the name, but I am guessing Puppy), said he started with the team since January to prepare for this international competition, he said, "As with the Vancouver Harbour, Victoria Harbour has waves varying in amplitude. During training we had a boat launch beside us to create waves, to simulate the waters of Victoria Harbour which we will encounter." He also said, "due to the diverse Canadian multicultural environment, the race team is not only Chinese, but of Indians and Westerners we work together as friends, on this Hong Kong 'expedition', and we are very confident we will do well."

Hong Kong Tourism Board Lvwan Xia said, "This began in Vancouver in 1986 because the Dragon Boat World Expo, when Vancouver was sent a gift of six Hong Kong style dragon boats, dragon boat activities have flourished in large and small ways, and eventually developed into charitable and diversely competitive sporting events." She was very pleased that Canada will invite representatives of eight participating teams, and she would like natives to take this opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Chinese immigrants.

4PPL, you beat me to it. :(

It's ok, your translation is better lol

A word from our sponsors .....

DLD Financial Group Ltd., Gibbard Hoffart Financial Group Mortgage Consultants and the Kiwanis Club of Vancouver is thrilled to be supporting the FCRCC Team Canada Dragon Boat teams in this year's Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival.

No doubt, this is another proud Canadian moment and we look forward to celebrating your successes upon your return.


DLD FINANCIAL GROUP - http://www.dldfinancial.com/ (http://www.dldfinancial.com/) (Dave Drummond and Kelly Ho)

KIWANIS CLUB OF VANCOUVER - http://kiwanisvancouver.ca/ (http://kiwanisvancouver.ca/) (Rob Spinner)

GIBBARD HOFFART FINANCIAL MORTGAGE CONSULTANTS - http://www.gibbardhoffart.com/ (http://www.gibbardhoffart.com/) (Gabe Hoffart)

Here are all the races that we have been entered into:

Small - 250M - 10 seat boats
Standard - 500M - 20 seat boats

FCRCC Premier Open
     - International Open (Standrad)
     - Standard Round Race 2000m
     - International Open (Small)
 FCRCC Premier Women
     - International Women(Standard)
     - International Women(Small)
 FCRCC Creakside Masters
     - International Mixed(standard)
     - International Mixed(small)
 FCRCC Riptide
     - International Mixed(standard)
     - International Mixed(small)
 FCRCC Lifescan
     - International Mixed(standard)
     - International Mixed(small)
 FCRCC Starbucks Waverunners Komodo
     - International Mixed(Standard)
 FCRCC Starbucks Waverunners Sumatra
    - International Mixed(standard)
    - International Mixed(small)
 FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat
     - international Mixed(standard)
     - international Mixed(small)
     - international Open(small)
     - international Women(small)
 

Have fun with this one

PSSSTTT Mr. Illuminate, you didn't remember??? You are stroking that race ... :doh:

ok, but this time I'm jumping out of the boat before you

No one's head will be used a buoy/flotation device this time!  :lol: :lol:

I heard they brought their own balers to HK last year.  Anybody know what the best type of baler is and if there are actual regulation sizes/shapes?

I don't remember anyone bringing their own baler other than Catherine from FCRCC. But she always brings/makes a baler to bigger competitions. She used a water bottle and a lot of duct tape to make an ergonomic handle. Speedy comfortable bailing!

The best thing to use is an empty laundry detergent jug, cut out like a scoop. The handle for those are perfect.

Avoid using milk jugs (too flimsy and pointy) and juice containers (no actual handle). The worst baler I've seen is a 1L soymilk container with no cap.

The ones that were provided in HK were literally pots (the type you cook your mac n cheese in) but plastic.

http://www.openjaw.com/onthetown/ott.php?id=239 (http://www.openjaw.com/onthetown/ott.php?id=239)

(sorry - article is copyrighted - can't cut and paste)

Here is our competition this year in Hong Kong

鶴山利豐龍舟 A 隊                      Heshan Li & Fung Dragon Boat Team A
星河灣名門世家九江男子龍舟隊   Star River Jiu Jiang Dragon Boat Men's Team
澳門隊                               Macau China
泰國隊                          Thailand Team
鶴山利豐龍舟 B 隊                 Heshan Li & Fung Dragon Boat Team B
大馬兒女龍舟隊                     Team Anak Malaysia
加拿大 褔溪賽艇會-男子精英聯隊   FCRCC Premier Open
皇家澳洲海軍龍舟隊                     Royal Australian Navy
橫濱龍舟隊                     Yokohama Dragon Boat Team
野人國際龍舟隊                     Savage International Dragon Boat Team
香港代表隊                     Hong Kong Team
星河灣名門世家九江女子龍舟隊   Star River Jiu Jiang Dragon Boat Women's Team
泰國隊                               Thailand Women Team
加拿大 褔溪賽艇會-女子精英聯隊   FCRCC Premier Women
加拿大 褔溪賽艇會-龍之心              FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat
加拿大 褔溪賽艇會-星巴克逐浪者哥摩多龍隊   FCRCC Starbucks Waverunners Komodo
加拿大 褔溪賽艇會-激流龍舟隊   FCRCC Riptide
加拿大 褔溪賽艇會-星巴克逐浪者蘇門答臘隊   FCRCC Starbucks Waverunners Sumatra
皇家澳洲海軍龍舟隊                  Royal Australian Navy
澳門隊                              Macau China
加拿大 褔溪賽艇會-褔溪龍舟大師隊   FCRCC Creakside Masters
加拿大 褔溪賽艇會-生活掃瞄龍舟隊   FCRCC Lifescan
泰國隊                           Thailand Team

Whoa! So many teams representing FCRCC! (Why not DZ? Lifescan...Riptide etc?)

Actually, many of the paddlers are full time members at fcrcc. In, addition, not many people oversea's know who DZ is.  In addition, our motto this year (like last year) is GO AS ONE, COME HOME AS ONE.

HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT CARNIVAL
Fact Sheet
 
Background                                 
 
Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association (HKDBA) and supported by the Mega Events Fund, the second Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival will be held from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 June in Tsim Sha Tsui East. 
 
Official International Dragon Boat Races Sponsor
 
Sa Sa International Holdings Limited
 
Local Races Sponsors                             
 
3D-Gold Jewellery (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited
China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited
Hong Kong International Theme Parks Limited
Ngong Ping 360 Limited
Sino Group
 
Attraction Partner                                                                         
 
Peak Tramways Company Limited
 
Co-op Partners                                                                         
 
Home Affairs Department 
Information Services Department
Tsim Sha Tsui Kai Fong Welfare Association 
 
Other Sponsors                       
 
Official Beer San Miguel Brewery Hong Kong Ltd
Official CarrierCathay Pacific Airways Limited
Official Caterer Asia Pacific Catering Corporation Limited 
Official Sound SystemTom Lee Engineering Ltd
Official Timer  Thong Sia Watch Company Limited
Official Water Vitasoy International Holdings Limited
Official Staff Uniform Promotion & Development Services Limited
 
[Page Break]
Programme Details                                                           
 
 
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival consists of two major elements:
 
Sa Sa 2011 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races 
San Miguel Beer Garden
 
 
Sa Sa 2011 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races
 
Date
Friday 17 June to Sunday 19 June 2011
Time
8:30am to 6pm (Races on 17 June will start at 10am)
Venue
Victoria Harbour, Tsim Sha Tsui East 
(The starting line is near InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong; the finishing line is close to Wing On Plaza)
 
Participating Teams
 
A total of 194 dragon boat teams, including 162 local teams and 32 international teams from 12 countries and regions: Australia, Canada, Mainland China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and Singapore. 
 
Race Categories
The Sa Sa 2011 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races will feature 17 race categories:
 
International Races (3 categories) 
Sa Sa Open International Championship
Sa Sa Women’s International Championship
Asia’s World City Mixed International Championship
 
Local Races (14 Categories)
ANZ Financial Institution & Bank Championship
Cathay Pacific Professionals’ Championship
China Travel Service Travel Industry & Hotel Championship
Disciplinary Forces Championship
Fishermen’s Championship
Government Department Championship
Hong Kong Disneyland Mixed Championship
Junior Championship
Ngong Ping 360 Inter-Company Championship
Post-Secondary Championship
Round Race 2000m Open
Senior Championship
Sino Group Open Championship
Women’s Championships
 
Special Races 
Celebrities Bathtub Invitation Race (19 June 1pm)
Each bathtub in the 100-metre race will carry two paddlers.
 
3D-Gold Jewellery Media Cup Race (19 June 1:30pm)
 
Adaptive Paddling Invitation Race (17 June 1:30pm and 3:40pm)
 
HAD (Home Affairs Department) Hong Kong Districts Championship (17 June 3:30pm)
 
Special Programmes
Sea Rescue Demonstration by the Government Flying Service 
(19 June 1pm)
The Government Flying Service, which provided rescue services in Sichuan province after the earthquake, will demonstrate a sea rescue in Victoria Harbour. A helicopter will hover over the water and a rescue team will carry out a simulated rescue.
 
Fireboat Water-jet Display by the Fire Services Department 
(19 June 1pm) 
A water-jet display will be launched from a fireboat on Victoria Harbour to enrich the festive ambience and cheer for the paddlers.
 
Free Spectator Seats
Approximately 400 free spectator seats will be set along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. Some of the seats will be reserved for invited guests on Sunday 19 June.
 
TV Live Broadcast
The races staged from 2pm to 5pm on 19 June will be broadcast live on TVB Jade Channel.
 
Directions
From MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit G or MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit P, take the footbridge next to Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel, and then proceed to the venue at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.
Take the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui from Central or Wan Chai, turn right after disembarking, and proceed to the venue at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade via the Avenue of Stars. 
 
 
[Page Break]San Miguel Beer Garden
 
Date
Friday 17 June to Sunday 19 June 2011 
Opening Hours
1pm to 9:30pm (Open to public from 3pm on 17 June)
Venue
UC Centenary Garden, Tsim Sha Tsui East
Booths
Approximately 14 booths (10 beer* booths and four food booths) will provide chilled beer*, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, including French fries and a great variety of chicken wings. 
Highlights
Exhibition
Showcase the world’s longest dragon boat of more than 30 metres in length. The dragon boat is made of fibreglass and hand-painted. Visitors are welcome to take photos.
 
Game Booths
Giant San Miguel beer bottle lids number guessing game
PlayStation Games Zone
 
Stage Performances
Beer-drinking competition*
Performances by singers, DJs, bands and local groups 
(For the performance schedule, please refer to Annex 1.)
 
Other Activities
Roving performances will be available.
Facebook Bonus, a chance of winning a special prize for liking the San Miguel Beer Garden Facebook page.
 
Admission 
Free
Directions
From MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit G or MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit P, proceed to the venue at the UC Centenary Garden via Mody Road. 
 
 
*Beer-drinking participants must be 18 years old or above
 
Hong Kong Tourism Board
10 June 2011
[Page Break](Annex 1 / 附件一)
 
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival – San Miguel Beer Garden     
Main Stage Performance Schedule
「香港龍舟嘉年華—生力暢飲樂園」主舞台節目
                                         
17 June 2011 (Fri)  6月17日(星期五)     
 
12:20pm – 2pmLive DJ Performance and Dance Show   
DJ現場表演精彩音樂及勁舞表演
PlayStation Competition 
PlayStation 比賽
3pm – 4pmSan Miguel Beer Drinking Competition
勁飲擂台生力軍
4pm – 5:30pmOldies Band Live 
樂隊老歌表演
6pm – 9pmSan Miguel Music World
生力音樂世界
Performers  表演嘉賓
- Ascetic
- Albino 
- ToNick
- Senseless 
- Old Man On the Chair 
- The Message
 
18 June 2011 (Sat)  6月18日(星期六)
1pm – 2pmCulture Show
文化表演
2pm – 3pmPlayStation Competition
PlayStation 比賽
3pm – 4pmSan Miguel Beer Drinking Competition
勁飲擂台生力軍
4pm – 5pmDJ Performs Live 
DJ現場表演精彩音樂
5pm – 6pmOldies Band Live
樂隊老歌表演
6pm – 6:30pmBand Show
樂隊表演   
6:30pm –9:30pmSan Miguel Music World – 60s to 90s 
生力音樂世界 -  60s to 90s
Performers  表演嘉賓
- Danny Summer夏韶聲
- Peri M
- A-day
- Suppermoment
- C All Star
San Miguel Music World
生力音樂世界
Performers  表演嘉賓
- Endy Chow周國賢
- Wild Child野仔
- Anthony Wong黃耀明
19 June 2011 (Sun)  6月19日(星期日)           
1pm – 1:30pmCulture Show
文化表演
2pm – 3pmPlayStation Competition 
PlayStation 比賽
3pm – 4pmSan Miguel Beer Drinking Competition
勁飲擂台生力軍
4pm – 5pmDJ Performs Live
DJ現場表演精彩音樂
5pm – 6pmOldies Band Live
樂隊老歌表演
6pm – 6:30pmSpecial Award Ceremony 
頒獎典禮
6:30pm – 9pmSan Miguel Music World
生力音樂世界 
Performers 表演嘉賓
- The 3 Think
- Closer 
- D-Head 
- Eli 
- Blak 
- Hardpack
- Los En Found
                                               
 
 
備註：當日活動安排將由大會作最終決定，如有更改，怒不另行通知。
Remarks: The schedule and programmes are subject to change without prior notice.

Mmmm... San Miguel Beer Garden (drool)

Also would be cool to check out the performance by "Old Man On the Chair", the name is intruguing, is it literal or ironic?  Can someone take pics or video!  :lol:

It has been an interesting morning. All the teams where feeling a little apprehensive and worried.  Thailand has brought a larger crew and their guys look way bigger. The weather is horrible (thunder, lightning and monsoon) but at least the rain is warm

Today is the 250M races in small boats

First race was the mixed qualification round:
 1st Thailand 1:12:49
 2nd FCRCC Creakside Masters 1:17:09
 3rd Royal Ausatralian Navy 1:17:58
 4th FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat 1:18:29
 5th FCRCC Riptide 1:18:52
 6th FCRCC Lifescan 1:21:64
 7th Singapore 1:21:66
 8th FCRCC Starbucks Waverunners Sumatra 1:22:24

 Next came the Women's 1st Round

 1st FCRCC Premeir Women 1:25:65
 2nd Chinese Taipei Women's Team 1:26:28
 3rd Royal Australian Navy 1:28:82
 4th FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat 1:31:29
 5th Diamond Phoenix 1:32:19
 6th Hong Kong DQ

Then the Open's 1st Round

 1st Thailand 1:12:45
 2nd FCRCC Premier Open 1:15:41
 3rd Okinawa Takara Dragon 1:16:46
 4th FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat 1:18:55
 5th Kagoshima Nejime Dragon DQ
 6th Royal Australian Navy DQ


Good news no teams have sunk yet

Riptide has made the Asia World CityMixed International "CUP" Championship
They will face Dragon Woods, SSS Team, Thailand, Australian Navy, Singapore, Flamy Phoenix and AMS Dragon Boat Team

Creakside Masters, Dragon Hearts Beat, Starbucks Waveunners Sumatra and Lifescan will be fighting with MTR, Cheung Chau Expedition, Q Dragon and CAS DBT

Next races at 1:00pm

You guys racing with 18 again?

nope  this is all small boats   10 paddlers 

but yes, tomorrow is 18

race 16  qualifying round 2

 1st  thailand 1:16:93
 2nd FCRCC creakside masters 1:20:86
 3rd  Royal Australian Navy 1:21:27
 4th FCRCC lifescan 1:22:35
 5th FCRCC Riptide 1:23:13
 6th FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat 1:23:33
 7th Singapore 1:24:33
 8th FCRCC Starbucks Waverunners Sumatra 1:24:53

The Women's division 2nd round
 
 1st Chinese Taipei Women's Team 1:22:16
 2nd FCRCC Premier Women 1:23:41
 3rd Royal Australian Navy 1:23.80
 4th FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat 1:28.91
 5th Diamond Phoenix 1:29:05

The Open division 2nd round
 
 1st Thailand 1:16:26
 2nd FCRCC Premeir Open 1:18.46
 3rd OKinawa Takara Dragon 1:19:99
 4th FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat 1:21:88
 5th Kagoshima Hejime Dragon  1:27:33

The Open team is getting faster. We are closing the gap between Thailand and Canada  We are looking good. The women are doing the same - instead of a 5 second differential, we are now 1.3 seconds behind.  its getting interesting for sure

The heat is going up and the rain has stopped

Wow what an exciting semi final 250M

In the 1ST Semi Cup mixed division

1st FCRCC Creakside Masters 1:18:14
2nd Cheung Chau Expedition 1:18:53
3rd FCRCC Lifescan 1:18:76
4th CAS DBT 1:18:97
5th FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat 1:19:12
6th FCRCC Starbucks Waverunners Sumatra 1:19:12
7th Q dragon Hong Kong 1:19:94
8th MTR Corp 1:23:40

In the 2nd semi for the cup division

1st Royal Australian Navy 1:17:62
2nd Thailand 1:15:09
3rd FCRCC Riptide 1:22:88
4th Flamy Phoenix 1:23:04
5th Singapore 1:23:13
6th Dragon Woods 1:24:83
7th AMS 1:26:26

What does this mean?  Canada will have 3 Teams in the TOP Division (CUP)  
 RIPTIDE, LIFESCAN and CREAKSIDE MASTERS

The final for Small Boat is on Sunday and will be 500M


In the Open Championship Semi CUP Division

1st Thailand 1:04:49
2nd Excel Seafood Bubble Dragon 1:07:41
3rd HKU Dragon Boat Team1:10:10
4th FCRCC Premier Open 1:10:32
5th Okinawa Takara Dragon 1:15:05
6th Hong Kong Institute of Marketing 1:17:93

Canada has qualified for the cup open championship on sunday
In the Sa Sa International "PLATE" Semi

1st Artland Dragon 40  1:17:74
2nd FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat 1:20:20
3rd Continental Restaurent 1:21:11
4th Planners United 1:21:52
5th China Engergy Technology 1:21:68
6th Kagoshima HEJIME DRAGON 1:23:70

This means that Canada will have one team in the PLATE Final: FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat

In the women's semi CUP Division:

1st Hong Kong Team 1:19:78
2nd Chinese Taipei Women's Team 1:19:82
3rd FCRCC Premier Women 1:22:94
4th Print Dog Productions 1:23:79
5th Royal Australian Navy 1:24:32
6th FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat 1:26:52
7th Diamond Phoenix 1:29:78

Canadian Women will be in the Women's CUP Championship on Sunday

Overall this was a great day for False Creek, Dragon Zone and Canada. All the teams represented well.  In the mixed division final on sunday, FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat and FCRCC Starbucks Waverunners Sumatra did not advance, as they finished in 5th and 6th repsectively (only top 4 in each semi advances)

No Canadian teams sunk, except for the plugs in each of the small boats kept popping out

We saw one team capsize

Tomorrow is the standard boat races. This is going to be interesting and a true test of the quality of our coaching and stroke technique

good night from a very wet Hong Kong

Thanks for sharing Chow Chow ~ I mean Puppy! ;)

Great way to represent Canada to all of you "good luck racing"!! 

Looking forward to seeing some pics and some video of some great racing!

Hope it stops raining for you all!  Cheers from Vancouver!

Results from the first race for FCRCC Premier Open:

1. FCRCC Premier Open - 2.18620
2. Yokohama dragonboat team - 2.21950
3. Savage International dragonboat team - 2.26860
4. Anak Malaysia - 2.27140
5. Royal Australian Navy - DNS
6. Hong Kong Team - DNS

The team got off to a good start and kept with the rest of the teams in the race.  We were slightly behind, but by the middle we caught up with the teams and surpassed them by over a boat length.  It was a smooth race that went well and gave us more experience to build upon for the rest of the day and the weekend.  As a whole team, it was our first race in an 18-man boat and we hope to continue to build upon this race to improve ourselves as one team.  We were anxious but knew we had to race our own race. 

Results for the first race for FCRCC Premiere Women:

1.Star River Jiu Jiang Dragon Boat Women's Team - 2.14.650
2.Thailand Team - 2.17.150
3.FCRCC Premiere Team - 2.32.760

From the angle we were watching, FCRCC seemed to have a good start.  Soon after though,
Thailand made some kind of powerful surge to get a few seats ahead.  As the race went on, we started falling back, and Star River started overtaking Thailand. We were looking tired halfway throughout the race. In the end, the two asian teams crossed the line without any sign of FCRCC coming in on camera for a bit. An exciting race near the end, unfortunately, not involving our women :(

There's really no shame losing to those two teams

hi from HK - Here are the results from today's races:

Sa Sa Women's International Championship (Qualifying Race) Race 1 result:
FCRCC Premier Women: 2:32.760 (3rd out of 3 teams)

Sa Sa Open International Championship Group B Qualifying Race 1 result:
FCRCC Premier Open: 2:18.620

2000M Open Championship

1st FCRCC Premier Open 12:07:320
2nd BGC Stormy Dragons 12:43:26
3rd Shum Shui Po Sports Association 13:16:45
4th The Institute of Engineering 13:37:300

This was right after the mixed qualifiers.

What an eventful day.  I did not post all the items above.  Different people from different teams used my id and posted results all day

In the morning, when all the teams arrived, most people were comfortable with the race format form Friday. What we could not prepare everyone for was the sights, sounds, smell and visual sensory over load.  We told everyone to take a deep breath and race their race   After each team got through their first race of the day, everyone started to calm down. 

The open team did a magnificent job today - coming first and second in the preliminary rounds. Thailand and china being first and second. 

In the open 2000m race, we swapped out three men for three women. We won 1st place.  The gold trophy and medals are coming home

The women came in third in both races and will advance to the women's cup final

Creakside Masters are surprising slot of teams out there.  The impression is that they see old people but on the water, Creakside has been on the heal of the starbucks Komodo team in every race.  This will be an interesting championship race


Starbucks Waverunners Komodo is doing really well. They came in third in both mix qualifiers.  The team had a slight meltdown on Thursdays practice but they stuck together like a team and have represented well

The biggest surprise of the day has been dragon hearts beat.  Their push to get better has really shown today. 

Both Lifescan, riptide and Starbucks Waverunners Sumatra are doing well. To make it into the cup division, they will need to knock off Thailand or china.  I don't think is is going to happen but they will be either in the plate or bowl division.

The spectators are all amazed by the Canadian turnout. They can believe the size of our team

Tomorrow will be the 500 and 250 meter final races. 

I can't believe all this planning is coming to an end.  I'm going to be sad to see everyone go back to Canada but I'm thrilled to say 150 plus people will have had a time of their lives. 

Our trusted photographer will be posting shots later

No teams flipped today but lots of collisions and restarts

Ihad an unfortunate situation, when I was steering the open 2000m race, the steering oar hit my watch and knocked it off.  You can hear me screaming at the race official to help me try to pick it up. No luck.  Just lost $350 garmin watch but got a gold medal with the best open team. = priceless

It's sunday here in Hong Kong. We all had an early start aT 7AM  the day started well and we have won some gold/silvers trophies.


However, Team Canada has been hit with some bad news....

One of our paddlers walked onto the barge and slipped. Her fall was bad. She broke her ankle in two plaes and is current surgery.  She's at the QE hospital in Hong kong

We will keep everyone updated on her progress. For confidentiality i will not be releasing her name or team affiliation  i would like to respect their privacy

In addition, another one of our paddlers has blown his rotator cuff in the small boat race.  He will not be racing any further

Updates to follow shortly for race results

FCRCC Premier Open -  SaSa Open Invitational Championship Qualifying Race - 1st Place (2:18.62)

FCRCC Premier Women - SaSa International Championship Qualifying Race 1 - 3rd Place (2:32.76)

FCRCC Premier Open - Round Race 2000m Open - 1st Place (12:07.72)

FCRCC Premier Women - SaSa International Championship Qualifying Race 2 - 3rd Place (2:27.14)

FCRCC Premier Open - SaSa Open Invitational - 2nd Place (2:11.90)

FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race) - 8th Place (2:39.71)

FCRCC Starbucks Komodo - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race) - 3rd Place (2:27.57)

FCRCC Starbucks Sumatra - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race) - 9th Place (2:45.72)

FCRCC Creakside Masters - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race - 4th Place (2:27.73)

FCRCC Riptide - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race) - 6th (2:32.19)

FCRCC Life Scan - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race) - 5th Place (2:31.11)

FCRCC Dragon Hearts Beat - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race) - 8th Place (2:21.14)

FCRCC Starbucks Komodo - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race) - 3rd Place (2:14.81)

FCRCC Starbucks Sumatra - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race) - 9th Place (2:31.06)

FCRCC Creakside Masters - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race - 4th Place (2:18.74)

FCRCC Riptide - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race) - 5th (2:18.72)

FCRCC Life Scan - Asia's World City Mixed International Championship (Qualifying Race) - 7th Place (2:21.12)

Just some updated news.  Our paddler is resting comfortably in the hospital and shes on morphine. The doctors are monitoring her and will release her when she feels better

We are all praying for a speedy recovery

Sorry my brain is fried but it looks like Canada has won 11 cup trophies and 4 plate trophies.  A total of 15 awards from 8 teams.  Congratulations canada

Congratulations to all the teams representing Canada, proud of you guys. Too bad one of those cups wasn't the Stanley Cup.  :D

That's unfortunate about the fall, and the rotator injury.  I bit of a downer after everyone was haveing the time of thier lives.  Let's hope for a speedy recovery and a safe journey back for the rest of the teams.  Great job again Puppy.

Haha.although it does hurt like a b$tch, I'm not on morphine or any pain killer right.They are discharging me today so I can fly home and get my surgery.

I guess my paddling season is over for me now...either that or I'll have to paddle on my off side.

Thanks for your well wishes.

Hey Skygal

We are all pleased to hear that you are safe. We will see you in Vancouver and pray that your surgery is a success. 

THANK YOU for keeping your team inspired to race for you on the last race.

Puppy

Just an update, we have found one more trophy in one of the paddlers room.  He was sleeping with it yesterday night. We are not sure what he did with the trophy while in bed, but we are having it disinfected and sterilized

Final Tally

12 TROPHIES

4 PLATES

About 60 people are leaving today. Some sad faces, tears, smiles and happiness. Another girl has hurt herself yesterday. She was dancing in the street and stepped on broken glass. She cut herself and needed some medical attention. $450hk dollars later and she's still smiling

More fun stories to come from everyone.

Crazy, take care to the injured people

Hope you guys had a great time, and grats on doing well

FYI,the chinese team are givenn mandates to win at all cost

if they win, first the team receives 3 Million HK dollars.  Another team would receive $500,000 HK money.

In addition,if the chinese women win by a margin of 1 minute +, each paddler gets $100 HK dollars each

Next year, we will give each team 5 Million HK dollars if we win...not sure where the money will come from, but we will talk to Ann Phelps :)

You are the epitome of 'doing whatever it takes' Skygal. Now get you and your walker home!

For a complete viewing of results go to http://202.181.134.86:8080/dbrss/race_search.jsp (http://202.181.134.86:8080/dbrss/race_search.jsp)

Oh wow, Jiu Jiang's Open team got beaten by Thailand, no $3 million HK for them I guess

Thailand really cleaned up actually, Open, Mixed, Small boat Mixed & Open, just their women got 2nd against Jiu Jiang

That's right boys... smoking is bad for you.


They all look like my aunties and grandmas, they eat dimsum out of tupperware between races, sleep supine on bamboo mats until their next heat, drink tea out of water bottles, get up and Chuck Norris the races all the way to Gold Cup finals.

Mad respect. Maaaaaad respect!!!

My HK friends they said they saw our teams on the local tv TVB. I tried to search for the video online and find the 2000m GOLD race. If you guys find more video, let us know =)

2011年6月18日香港國際龍舟邀請賽2000米繞圈賽 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBbrWBtqO40#)

Hey friends

 I still have a bit of jet legged and my blisters are popping yikes but they are bandaged up and healing slowly. i will miss my Royal Australian Navy buddies and the Thailand team  that I met. I got a nice jersey from Thailand too :). If I had more time I would of loved to see more of the nightlife and hangout more at the Ladies Market. It was a really exciting for me because I got to do a sport I enjoy so much and race at a international level . It was scary when I heard that there was now rec. races but it all turned out to be a fun and tough competition that made you push yourselves to the limits.
It was the best experience ever and would love to do it  again. See you on the water :D

Besides blisters and jet lag Which are miserable all by themselves-- is anyone else sick?
Came home with nasty sinus infection (planes? A/c?) and the dreaded HK 2-step. Think that was from the celebration dinner.  :(

Had an awesome time in HK! Many thanks to Kerry for making this all happen.

I was blown away by the level of production and exposure this festival has. From the budget ($15 million HKD), to the media coverage to the level of competition....all added up to us paddling in a different league than here in North America. One thing that doesn't change is the camraderie & respect between paddlers that transcends language & geography. Of course, freeflowing San Miguel beer at the paddler's party helps that cause as well!  :D

Really proud of all the Canadian teams. Way to represent! Especially proud of my teammates on Creakside Masters & the Premier Open.  The Masters placed a respectable 4th in the top final for the Mixed (standard boat). No shame in losing to Thailand, Macau & the HK Island Paddling Club. Masters also earned a Silver in the Mixed Small Boat, losing to Thailand. Funny story there...Thailand beat us racing only 8 in the small boat (we raced 10), probably used their spares too! Much respect to the Thai Team. They rocked it.

Premier Open....for a group that did not have much time together, we really started to gel and come together as the weekend wore on. Highlight for sure was the Gold in the 2000m race. Although it should be renamed the '3200m race' as that is what the real distance was when they told us after the fact!  :shock:

Physically demanding racing so many races, many of them back to back to back (I raced 19 times that weekend) with the heat & humidity, plus the more challenging water conditions. On many an occasion, we had to get off the boat & jump into another one at the docks.  We had to work it out  between the race officials & team managers to get us checked off on the roster as we did not have time to re-marshall.

All in all, a great experience. Thanks to all the teams, team managers, sponsors & especially you Kerry, for making this all possible.

It was an amazing experience being out in Hong Kong that I wish more people would be able to experience.  The diversity and the depth of competition was an eye-opener.  There are obvious technical differences between north american and asian teams, but also just the differences in the culture of dragonboating.  Here you'll see lots of warmup and stretching, but the asian teams don't really do much of that at all?

What I found interesting was the size of alot of the paddlers there.  Walking around hong kong, I expected small asian guys, but these guys were huge.  Everyone looked like they were on steroids.  Huge and ripped upper bodies for lots of the comp teams.  But I guess that physique is necessary to pull off their technique.

Anyways, overall i'm glad I didn't flip, and had a wonderful experience.  Thank you to everyone for making it happen and of course to Kerry for all your hard work! 

i envy you guys how i wish i had a chance to join and experience hk db. :(

Just got back yesterday and have been snoozing all day but finally managed to stay up long enough to post the pictures I took from the festival in Hong Kong.
Great times and although it was a "bit humid" I kept drying and wiping my lens to try to keep the pics as clear as possible! Of course lugging around a smaller version of the weapon helped but I did not the usual close ups I like....
Here is a link to my site so you can experience HK racing (didn't catch any boats flipping (luckily for me...)
There may be a slight bias to Creakside Masters races but I tried to get all the FC teams in!
Enjoy!

http://www.lethalweaponphoto.com/Dragonboat/Hong-Kong-Festival-2011 (http://www.lethalweaponphoto.com/Dragonboat/Hong-Kong-Festival-2011)

and if you get really bored you can see my Bird and Travel pics I took on my few extra days there after the races..As best as I could do when I wasn't admiring the plumbing every 1/2 hour ...stupid Banquet food...

Pros:
The races, the volunteer/liason-omg they are like angels!, the friendly paddlers with great energy and great sportsmenship, the atmosphere, the commentators, the set up: floating lego-looking-dock, the buckets for us to shower - very well thought, Kerry, Shen, John, my captains and coaches and caller who drumed for every single races for us~ Ray and Patrick-our team's special helper.

Cons:
The water could taste a bit better :p
I could smell gasoline and garbage all over me~
Some of us had to do back to back races... and had to skip the bucket shower once or twice~  Not a nice feeling but it was worth it tho :) cos it was soooo much fun!!

I wish some of my relatives could sit down somewhere and watch the race.
They showed up and couldn't find the race grid from where they were... and they couldn't find me.. so ... :p they basically all ran home together and turned on TVB to watch it live ...together. They could have stayed if they knew where's what..etc.

Thank you, Kerry!!!

I am so glad that our teams get to go across the world and represent our country! Awesome!

This shoutout goes to Riptide & DHB in particular... two teams I have many friends on and two teams I care for very much! It's so exciting to see these teams grow and evolve over the years. It seems like just yesterday we were racing each other in a low rec division... hehe  8))

Now look at you. Fantastic!!!

Being in a completely different atmosphere is itself a good experience: putting the festival site in the city (buildings, traffic, a subway station, etc), reading results and understanding the advancements from a giant board, marshaling at 3 different spots, standing on a plastic dock, paddling through waves, and rinsing after each race.

I have to give credit to the other captains/managers of the Vancouver teams. Having to adapt as the festival organizers change plans right up to the celebration "dinner" is not easy at all.

http://www.hellowesttravel.com/reportages.php?sequence_no=35050 (http://www.hellowesttravel.com/reportages.php?sequence_no=35050)


!!!HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE HOST DRAGON BOAT CELEBRATION DINNER
On the same day that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge bring some royal glamour to the sport on Prince Edward Island, some 120 dignitaries, tourism and trade representatives and keen paddlers celebrate the False Creek Racing Canoe Club’s triumphant return from the Hong Kong International Boat Carnival
Vickie Sam Paget



The winners return: Coach Brad Howie, captain Kerry Chow, captain Louise Lamb, manager Shen Gad, and chair Jas Kalsi
The atmosphere at Vancouver’s Victoria Chinese Seafood Restaurant last night was jubilant, to say the least.

Not only was the room brimming over with the camaraderie, pride and winning spirit of the False Creek Racing Canoe Club’s (FCRRC) top dragon boat paddlers – but it was glistening with medals and trophies too.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada hosted the sumptuous dinner to celebrate the Canadian team bringing 16 trophies and five plates home from Hong Kong – including two gold, one silver and two bronze medals.


Captain Kerry Chow
Eight teams travelled to Hong Kong to represent Canada at the International Dragon Boat Carnival from June 17 to 19.

HKETO’s director in Canada, Maureen Siu, congratulated the triumphant team on their big win: “Welcome back to the group of champions from the International Dragon Boat Carnival in Hong Kong,” she smiled.

“In just about every district in Hong Kong you will find dragon boat racing. I am very proud to say that Hong Kong started this international festival and turned one of its local activities into a worldwide competitive sport.”


Coach Brad Howie
The 2,000 year old sport was first introduced to Canada during Expo 86 at Vancouver’s False Creek. “We have come a long way,” added Siu, “Dragon boat racing has taken root in Canada. It is very popular in this country.”

Sui went on to describe the many attractions of Hong Kong – attractions that captivate some 36 million visitors each year: “That’s more than the population of Canada,” she added.

“Hong Kong is the culinary capital of Asia and it’s also the world’s best shopping centre. Nowadays it is also the world’s auction centre for wine, fine art and rare gems. But besides shopping, I hope that visitors will also take time to enjoy the nature-side of Hong Kong, because over 40 per cent of the area is designated as country park. Most people don’t know that Hong Kong is a place where you can enjoy the beauty of nature.”

Sui also took the opportunity to announce that she will be leaving her post in Canada to return to Hong Kong at the end of the summer. Her replacement is to be announced soon.

“I would like to bid farewell to all of you all because my tour is ending in August. It has been a privilege for me to be able to represent Hong Kong in Canada and to work and live in this beautiful country.”


Manager Shen Gad
Michael Lim, the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s director for Canada Central and South America, FCRCC’s dragon boat team captain Kerry Chow, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South Wai Young, MLA for Richmond-Steveston John Yap, and Vancouver City Counsellor Kerry Jang then all took turns at the podium to congratulate the team and to award numerous gifts to those involved with the organization of the dragon boat team’s trip to Hong Kong.

“I would like to congratulate the dragon boat team for their achievements. I hope that you enjoyed yourselves and saw the city - and I hope that you spent some money!” joked Michael Lim.

He went on to explain that last year some 404,000 Canadian travellers visited Hong Kong, and that he is confident that this year’s event calendar – the Halloween Treats Festival, November’s Wine Month and Dine Month and December’s Winterfest – will ensure that just as many Canadians visit the city in 2011.

Wai Young said that she remembered when dragon boat racing first came to Vancouver in 1986: “I’m very pleased to see that 25 years later this has become a sport that is enjoyed by so many.

“Today, in Prince Edward Island of all places, dragon boat has taken on a new dimension as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge brought even more coverage to this wonderful, wonderful sport.

“Through strong team effort and immense dedication, the False Creek team has brought home an impressive 16 trophies and five medals. As the Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate the False Creek club on their spectacular success.”

MLA John Yap stated that he was proud of the way the team had represented British Columbia in Hong Kong. He also took the opportunity to say a fond farewell to Sui: “She’s leaving us after a great career stint - capably, admirably and professionally representing the interests of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.”


Chair Jas Kalsi
Counsellor Kerry Jang congratulated the dragon boat team captain Kerry Chow and concluded the speeches with a humorous quip bout the team’s impeccable conduct in Hong Kong: “On behalf of Mayor Gregor

Robertson and all of Vancouver City Council, we want to congratulate all the dragon boaters for being such fantastic ambassadors for the city of Vancouver. You brought home the gold; you didn’t cause a riot in Hong Kong – so we’re very happy!”

   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

 http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=zh-CHT&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mingpaovan.com%2Fhtm%2FNews%2F20110705%2Fvas2.htm (http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=zh-CHT&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mingpaovan.com%2Fhtm%2FNews%2F20110705%2Fvas2.htm)
 
 出征香港國際賽 溫市龍舟隊凱旋歸
【明報專訊】溫哥華一個划艇俱樂部的8支龍舟隊伍，上月代表加拿大前往香港參加第二屆龍舟嘉年華，於混合組、公開組和女子錦標賽中，取得二金一銀二銅的佳績。龍舟隊隊長周國良表示，明年一定會繼續出征，希望可以衛冕成功。

駐加香港經濟貿易辦事處處長蕭慕蓮表示，香港是現代龍舟的發源地，很高興看到如今龍舟比賽已經成為了本國主要城市備受歡迎的體育賽事。她指出，主辦單位香港旅遊發展局預計，今年的嘉年華共吸引了逾24萬人次，觀賞在維多利亞港進行的國際龍舟邀請賽，較預期的15萬人次多出了6成。不少居住在香港的加國公民都盛讚該次活動的氣氛熱烈，並表示明年一定會再來。

俱樂部女子隊教練Brad Howie表示，溫哥華在廿多年前開始有龍舟競賽，當時只有華人對這種習俗感興趣，但後來本地西人覺得此玩意十分有趣，便組隊參加。他們當初只把其當作一種別開生面的運動，但後來知道是為紀念楚大夫屈原，便想更加深入地了解龍舟。

本屆香港龍舟嘉年華於上月17至19日在香港尖沙咀東部舉行，由旅發局及香港龍舟協會合辦，共194支來自香港及海外的龍舟隊伍參與邀請賽，而屬於溫哥華福溪划艇俱樂部(False Creek Racing Canoe Club)的8支龍舟隊，共取得二金一銀二銅的佳績。
 
 

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTXhs70_4zQ#ws)