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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[nakano]

As the season is winding down on the 2004 season, looking at results from festivals, it seems like Vancouver teams don't dominate as much as they did in the past (podium finishes).

The balance of power (if there ever was one) seems to have shifted outside of the mainland to Island, Interior, and US teams.  

Some teams don't seem to have the same intimidating ring when you hear their names.

I know most will argue that there still are strong teams in Vancouver, I am not denying that fact, but it doesn't show in regards to podium finishes.

What is going on in the dragon boat community in Vancouver?

Thoughts?

[willpower]

right here you fumb duck  

but that okay cuz you're  

I'm having wayyy too much fun with these emoticaons... stress sucks

[paddleboy]

Hmmmm, There are still a few fast teams left in vancouver but come next yr ....... me has a feeling some of these teams are going to be a whole lot faster    .

 The race-off to go to the 2006 club crew in Toronto are next yr (2005) in Alberta and I know some teams will be trying to win the opportunity to go so I guess we'll just have to wait until next spring to see just how fast these teams are going to get

[paddleboy]

There used to be a time ... even b4 i was born, where the competitive teams used to practice 3 times a week on top of gym training.  How many teams practice 3x per week now?  Hmm ....

 We do ...We do and it's about to get a whole lot more

[nakano]

Hmmmm, There are still a few fast teams left in vancouver but come next yr ....... me has a feeling some of these teams are going to be a whole lot faster    .

 The race-off to go to the 2006 club crew in Toronto are next yr (2005) in Alberta and I know some teams will be trying to win the opportunity to go so I guess we'll just have to wait until next spring to see just how fast these teams are going to get

I didn't say we don't have any fast teams in Vancouver, but to me teams seem to lacking something.  

Perhaps it is because people move around to different teams so often these days.

I think Vancouver has a great base of mid/upper recreational teams with paddlers who can eventually compete in the competitive divisions.

True, everyone seems to be neck and neck, no clear cut dominate rec team.

Kind of seems like we are saturated with the mid/upper rec crews.

[Angus]

It seems like many of the experienced paddlers are moving on to other pursuits. You need to look no further than your own team Nakano, and you'll see lots of fine examples... whether it be work, other sports, or life itself. Not everyone chooses to make DB into a lifelong commitment.
Those who do usually leave the rec team for a comp team.

With the yearly turnover, it's simply not possible to "develop" a rec team into a consistent winner. Enough experienced paddlers stay on between seasons to keep the team in the mid/upper rec category and develop newbies.  

Of course, things are different in comp because the number of practices you go to has little to do with whether or not you race.

DB is still relatively new outside of Vancouver and so, the "first generation" of DB enthusiasts have accumulated a fair bit of experience, but their interest in the sport has not diminished yet. Give them 10 more years and they will follow in our footsteps.