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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[Backward Rowing]

As the day progressed, the south wind became stronger during the sunny day. This was a challenge for all racers in the afternoon. A number of boats had difficulties staying in their lane, and were called out by the water officials to make course corrections. In one race, a boat was held by water officials near the finish line as it dangerously entered another lane. Except for one race, all were done safely to my knowledge.

This was not the case for race 37, mixed division A semi-finals. Lane 4 Dragon Hearts Attack! entered into lane 3 Riptide. After many repeated calls by the water official to have Dragon Hearts Attack! change course away from lane 3, paddle contact was made. Some said boat contact was made, but was not seen by the water official or admitted by Dragon Hearts Attack!. Water officials did call lane 4 to hold at least three times, but Dragon Hearts Attack! continued to power through to the finish line.

The result was lane 3 Riptide was awarded a half-second bonus time for being the victim of interference and lane 4 Dragon Hearts Attack! was penalized a half-second for entering the wrong lane.

My question is that I will assume water officials will not try to stop a race if the race can be done conducted safely. They would ask boat to hold if there is a clear danger to the racers or the boats. If a boat ignores an order to hold, does this constitute a danger, and if so, why was this boat not disqualified? As a steersperson, we sometimes think we "know" better, but once the water official calls it, are we not supposed to obey? And if the steersperson did "know" better and they were safe, why would the water official ask the boat to hold in the first place?

Or does this mean that in regattas on the west coast, we are better to ignore the water officials, play dumb at the finish line, and expect the judges to give you at most a half-second penalty. This is in contrast to Ontario races where paddles touching the wrong lane gives you a five second penalty and ignoring a water official gives you an automatic disqualification.

[ian]

Huge thanks to everyone
here are the full results

www.harrisondragonboat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2014-HarrisonResults.pdf

[minipaddler]

Steers should always be listening to the water officials as they have the overall view as to what is happening in every lane.  When you move up into National and international racing, if your steers or drummer do not listen to the water officials or give "attitude" it could mean more than just a half second penalty.   The water officials did a great job at Harrison especially when the less experienced steers people were not ready to get hit with the offshore wind once you cleared the spit.   

Also, the sun was directly in the steers people eyes for the finals so the water officials were trying to stay on top of any lane corrections to avoid collisions or  the steers having to make huge adjustments.

I for one have been at the receiving end of a full on collision and that is the last thing you want to have happen to your crew.  People have actually had serious injuries because of it.  So as a note, steers and drummers need to take responsibility for their boat when racing and when the race is over, you do have the opportunity to protest or question the decision that was  made by the water officials.  I know our water officials were approaching boats at the end of the race to speak to them and inform of decisions.   It is not easy being a water official.

[SqCath]

Really love the Harrison race, but it is concerning that there were so many collisions.
I just wanted to note that there where at least 2 collisions during the 200 meter races. With a steersperson going into the water after they hit our boat.