My team competed in the Taiwanrese races last year. You should be warned that you need to have a really long paddle since you're so high off the water.
We have 49" paddles which we provide.
Make sure your steersperson doesn't steer the boat directly over top of the buoy with the flag on it, b/c it will push the flag under water, and your drummer will not be able to grab it.
You should have a separate "flag grabber".
Maybe we could have a racer's village since most of the teams were huddled around the marshalling area and the porta-potties in front what used to be Mavericks (I still can't recall what it's called now...).
We will have a racer's village this year. I believe it will be in the area west of the pier but east of Cooper's Park.
One other highlight are the prizes in the final races. For example last year, Telus was the title sponsor in the B division race, and the first place team got a webcam each along with their medals. I have to say though those medals do look bling!
We will have medals again this year as well as other prizes.