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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[dragonboatmom]

As someone who was unable to paddle this past weekend, but took in about 90% of all the races, I want to commend the stern's on each and every team.  That water was wicked and if you look at the times for teams in each race you'll see where the differences were, especially from Sunday.  Times increased by up to 20 seconds for a team in each race.  The sterns in the afternoon had one heck of a time holding on.  Some of them lost their boats and recovered them as quickly as they possibly could and got out of the way of other boats.  Other were holding on for dear life and didn't even get the opportunity to signal their drummers as it took both hands to control the steering oar.    
Way to go sterns.. without you, our boats do NOT go straight.  Keep up the great work.  Your paddlers love you.

[Katy]

Thanks for the kudos Soggy Bottom, we had a lot of fun this weekend! 

For the most part the race grid was fine with a couple of wobbles here and there.   Our crew has certainly been on the unfortunate end of it in the past (Absolut Adrenaline and S&S first race last year, GDs second race last year) but had a much fairer draw this year despite going up against Mentor Mariners in lane 3 who did take first at Paddlefest a couple weekends ago.

Race 2 had E&C and Extreme Currents in it (both strong crews), not to mention Team Phoenix although as this is their first year as that crew, it's hard for the organizers to sort out how they would rank.

Race 7 had Dog Paddlers and Blu by U, Blu by U has really developed in the past couple years and the Dog Paddlers are displaying a stunning growth since last year.

Race 11 was the most surprising with Eye of the Dragon in lane one, they certainly scare me when it's time to race.  Dragon Slayers have really come on strong in the last couple seasons too.

I'm afraid I don't know much about Fluid Motion but having them in Lane 1 against S&S caused the ripple that bumped Sssteam Heat down.  Sssteam Heat still did phenomenally well despite missing a seat!

The wide swings in time are due to the water and wind conditions.  Placings were done on points with time breaking ties so the only time some of those flukey times would come in is if you have multiple teams with the same point values, which there always are.

Regardless, I always have a lot of fun at Nanaimo, it's a great festival.  Nice work Go for running another fun event.

[DuckMan]

Ahh but you see, We narrowly squ e e e zed by ssSteam heat in race 34 on saturday by just over half a second. It was a phenominal race to be in let me say.. a time of 2:05.74 vs. 2:06.12. What surprised me was E&C's performance in the semi and the final, a few people on our boat won't be living that down anytime soon. Way to go lethal for jumping back in the boat again and toughing out a few races Now where's my photo DVD??

[DuckMan]

umm.. that race 2 being Race 34 i think

[Backward Rowing]

Once again, a wonderful time in Nanaimo.   

I admit, how they organized the seeding could have been better; however, the timing, the race officials and race organizers seemed to work very efficiently.  The only obvious problems I saw were a) no start horn for the first few races, b) a really cool current by mid afternoon Saturday, c) really screwy angles at the starts due to water conditions and d) medical emergency on the docks.  Note that only one problem could be handled by the organizers, the rest, well, it's beyond our control.

I felt safe leaving our stuff at the paddlers' village with their security.  (Was there even security for the paddlers' village in Alcan?)  Although heavy handed, I prefer Nanaimo's volunteers for front line security and the four to six bicycle RCMP constables.  I did not see the commissionaires until after the paddlers' village was more or less cleared out.

The beer garden was a blast on both days.  I only caught the tail end of the paddlers' dance, but it seemed liked everyone was having a good time.  I have to admit, I missed last year's volunteers who would forget to collect the beer tickets.  In any case this year's staff was very friendly and efficient.

I spoke to some locals (taxi cab driver, restaurantier, store clerk), and they were very supportive of the db festival.  Events like this brings back the vibrant summer time feel downtown Nanaimo used to have.  I was surprised to learn that the organizers were hoping to make it a larger event in the years to come, which may draw out more LML and perhaps other off-islander teams

As far as the hotels are concerned, I did not really enjoy the Howard Johnson we stayed at on Terminal Avenue.  Although just past the underpass from the festival, the in-house restaurant only opened for breakfast and lunch, the pool closed too early (9pm), the night club reminded me of my younger days living in dreaded Surrey (if anyone remembers the Newton Inn, you know what I am talking about), and the security there. . .  IMHO they need serious training in hospitality.  Of course, if that UNNAMED women's dragon boat team from out of town had not been drunk, rowdy and playing bum-darts, security would not have been called to their room.   

Lethal Weapon, I am still trying to give you money for the Alcan photos!

Hopefully, we will see you in Victoria!

[DuckMan]

I'm going to have to disagree about the Howard Johnson. We had a great stay there. The Staff was great, I had no issues with them and they were So much more friendly than the staff at the Days Inn a few km's down the road. That's what I wasn't impressed with. First of all, we booked 4 rooms at the Days including 2 cots. When we check in, the absent minded women at the front desk took 20 minutes to figure out who we were and said we could NOT have a cot in our rooms because it's on the upper level??? So we resorted to putting a couple people on the floor, resulting in a couple unhappy and sore individuals the next morning. Another thing, we were walking back to our rooms friday night not a word being said amongst us and we were scorned and threatened, he threatened to kick us out if only a single complaint was heard etc. etc.. Not sure what warranted that kind of behaviour. Very unfriendly staff, could have been due to previous years though putting up with us paddling adicts.. but still.. We checked out in the morning and moved to the Howard Johnson.

[Backward Rowing]

I must admit, DuckMan, that the front desk, cleaning, waiters and maintenance staff the the Howard Johnson were helpful, courteous, efficient... in a word, GREAT.  Unfortunately, everything else stands in my post about the facilities and their internal security staff (who doubles as their bar security).  I don't think it is necessary for young security staff at a hotel to be condescending and confrontational when dealing with people that are twice their age.  Leave the "fight gloves"  for the bar scene, be hospitable with the hotel guests. 'nuf said.

[DuckMan]

Perhaps you had a similar experience to us at the Days.. I just didn't have the opportunity to come face to face with the security staff at this one. But anyways.. Back to dragonboating.. I'm waiting to see more photo's posted..

[Lethal Weapon]

Way to go lethal for jumping back in the boat again and toughing out a few races  Now where's my photo DVD??

Thanks, I still hurt.....On it sway Bro!

Lethal Weapon, I am still trying to give you money for the Alcan photos!

Ok Ok
here are some more Pics....enjoy

[Lethal Weapon]

and a few more of some faces in the crowd....

[DuckMan]

You missed the usual CCW assault... Here's the pre-game show at the foundry friday night..

[Backward Rowing]

Here are my shots,


A more civilized way of steering a dragon boat.


Tillicum Laylum and seaplane launches.


In dire need of waterproofing.


The rowdy crew.


In the Navy.


The lonely walk to moment of reckoning.


M' crew.

[Backward Rowing]

Last shot... at the Navy.

[kryssee]

Great shots! I wish I could share mine, but the last time(s) I tried to upload, it didn't work too well. Sorry!

[woodsman]

Wow...what a great weekend!  We had a marvelous time in Nanaimo and it was one of the smoothest run festivals I have been to in 4 years...conditions are always interesting in Nanaimo - and that makes racing fun.  Nanaimo is one of the friendliest and funnest (word?) festivals around and it just gets better and better.  Congrats to all the winners (my team won gold in Bronze...go figure)...and congrats to everyone else as well.

A truly great weekend!