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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[paddleboy]

 
 What an absolute gong show this festival was...Hopefully we learn from all the mistakes that were made.The only thing that made up for it was the setting of the lake

 Poor Roli...how many times can a team be hit in one festival ? LoL .Comp semi final lane 3 loses it sending lane 2 into Roli who loses it tries to regain and ends up getting hit again and crosses over 6 lanes and tries to recover and finishes the race and wins w/ open water ...then in the final they are in lane 3 only to be hit again by lane 2 ( was that Sudden Impact ? name would make sense now if it was,lol) , not once but twice after 2 re-starts and then almost a 3rd time by lane 2 and they clanged paddles .After the second collision lane 2 changed steerspeople and this is when the 3rd collision almost happened again but in the end Roli wins comp by 4 seconds .Not sure who placed second and third ...

 I had to laugh as the announcer got confused and thought the second to last race was the final and was calling the race saying the the A final teams were neck and neck and DWW was pulling away when in fact they were all standing on the shore waiting to load .Then Roli wins it only to be told that they accidentally gave away there medals to another division mistakenly ....that was too funny !!

 Another good moment was in the semi ,after Roli was involved in the collision, the festival wanted to rerace the race but forgot to tell Roli and ran the race w/o them...oops,lol. Roli still had the faster time even after colliding in the first original race so they allowed Roli to advance .

 Roli set the fastest time of the event by far w/ a 2.05 and  no one else was even close to nearing that mark...way to go.And good job keeping it all together under the pressure of the collisions  !

 A note for Harrision  : ......widen the lanes next yr please  !!!!!  Oh and the paddler party was more of a funeral home...where did they find the music ? ...OMG ! Get a DJ next time please !


 Now will someone please give back my GOLD MEDAL....lol ..and don't scratch it !! j/k


 

[BernMan]

Paddleboy you hit the nail right on the head man! I thought after what happened last year that they would have learned how important it was to keep things running smoothly but obviously they didn't. Last year things ran over an hour late. At first I believe they said it would be fine for teams to borrow paddlers from other teams because when they started running late last year teams starting losing paddlers as they had other commitments to attend to. Last year it was supposed to end just after 4pm I believe but we were all there past 5pm. Sound familiar to anyone who was there yesterday?? So because initially the rule of the day was OK to borrow a paddler or two one team did and of course another team protested and the final was re-raced and well you probably know the rest of the story. However this year the rules were stated clearly that no borrowing of paddlers was allowed except for steerspeople and drummers. This year however the races ended up running close to 2 hours late by the time all was said and done. Holy crap! From what I heard part of the reason was because supposedly a women's team whose name escapes me apparently registered as a "mixed" team and were all upset when they were seated in the mixed semi finals instead of the women's semi finals. That took them over an hour to decide what to do and then reseed everyone accordingly. Also what's with some boats whose numbers did not match the lane they were in. Now I am not talking about starting in say lane 3 and finishing off in lane 4 or 2. Afterall I know how tight the lanes were and yes they should be wider FFS! But I am talking about a boat with #4 who raced in lane 1. Does that sound they should be there? I don't know anything about which lane was better or faster but could it be that that team figured that out and chose to purposely go there? I don't know but I would strongly reconsider doing Harrison a 3rd straight year myself. And of course CONGRATS to Roli. You're starting to get the tweaking done at about the right time I think.

[coach_of_little_people]

I must admit, it was a bit crazy out in Harrison and after all those events you can't do anything but laugh a bit and then REALLY let it go... People got race experience, and no one got seriously hurt (even though they were some minor injuries) and that's the most important thing, in my opinion...

Personally, I'd like to give Harrison and it's organizers a bit of a break...they tried their best to make everyone happy (which never happens), but many teams out there were not being rational (i.e., teams that wanted to be added to a higher division with a time that was 5 to 10 slower than the top teams was IMO ridiculous and a futile argument). Yes yes yes...the boats weren't even, the lanes were too small, it took a real long time...blah blah blah... However, please tell me which festivals in their first 1 to 2 years didn't have any problems and I'll give you a donut!

This is Harrison's 2nd year in running, and I think they just need to work out the problems. I'd suggest that they ask for some help from people (i.e., Greg Lamb, Brad, Howie, Leah Nagano, Jackie Webber, Andrea Dhillon, etc.) that really have DIRECT experience running the bigger festivals that have been in operation for over 7 years (likely to have figured out most of the problems or to have at considered the potential problems).

It was a great venue, the weather was awesome, the water was clean (I think), the medals looked sweet, and big screen was a great idea (can you purchase that for a home???)!!!

One more thing people...this is Dragon Boating (whether regional, national, and worlds) and not life or death... People have to learn to relax and have some respect to the organizers, your teammates, to other teams, and most importantly to the sport of Dragon Boating! You turn your competitive spirit "ON" when you line-up and turn it "OFF" when you're not racing...

If you learn this, you'll survive longer in this sport...lose it and you're not going to enjoy what this sport has to offer.

It's over...on to the next venue!

[Keen Man]

Well....not sure what to say about the day... but I now know if I'm ever looking for someone to organise a drag queen contest I know who to call.. and if I'm ever looking for a dragon boat organising committee, I know who NOT to call.

[DiggerPig]

Well ... let's be fair - all the comments are well deserved and bang on - and for that I know when I type this that I speak for all of the race committee (yes by all the posts I was part of said committee    ) we apologize!

We also know that you have to learn by your mistakes and go forward.  Obviously the lanes were to small, we need a  better computer program that works with our race grid, and we need an experienced officiating crew, an outdoor paddler's party is in the work for next year. 

I've learned a long time ago that if you're truly sorry you apologize and you don't follow it with excuses.

Sorry everyone!  It's a bruise to our ego but we'll set it up - promise.

Hope everyone liked the Big Screen!  I'm in the process of trying to fit it through my front door.  After that I think I'll go into a corner and cry softly to myself.      

[Keen Man]

Thanks Digger for the apology.... I hope my previous comment wasn't too harsh.... but when the races run up to two hours late and a significant portion of your team has to leave before the final, some even before the semi, the taste in one's mouth over a festival is a little sour.... not to mention the effects on my two kids who had to bake in the sun for a couple of hours longer than I wanted (they had a blast but were just beat last night)....

[helan]

It's amazing how teams enter an event knowing from past experiences that things can go wrong and when they quite often do, the praise turns from 'this is going to be great' to 'can't these people get it right!'  In all fairness, this is only the second year that Harrison has held this event.  As someone that gets to practice on this lake, we were extremely fortunate with the water - we've seen calm waters turn to raging whitecaps all within one practice, also the weather co-operated fully, last year it rained.  The regatta also doubled in size which probably caused a few unforeseen problems, maybe it should have been a 2 day event with seeding the first and semis & finals the second.  There are a lot of what-ifs.  But, the teams that participated should not let some mishaps (and I've been in a lot of regattas that have had them - not caused by our teams from the Valley) prevent them from being part of a fun and extremely social sport.  Why not concentrate on the positive - the venue was great, I've never seen (in 6 yrs) the big screen at the events, the complimentary fruit baskets, where teams could 'refresh' in the lake playing ball, frisbee etc.  The comments I overheard were extremely positive and people were looking forward to another year.  Yes, things do happen, but get over it and look at the big picture - Harrison could become the event to be at - have patience and give the 'newbies' some team support.

[kryssee]

I agree that it was a beautiful spot, followed by our..ahem..gold medal..hehe! Anyhow, I was at last year's as well and the biggest thing I noticed was that amazing big screen!!! Wow, that was awesome! We were able to cool off in the freezing lake and watch the races on the screen at the same time, very cool! I too was frustrated by the afternoon running so long, but I was told it was because of the women's team switching from mixed to women's div. also. Personally, if you register as a mixed, and fail to mention anything prior to the races starting, then suck it up and deal with it. No need to punish everyone for their mistakes! Things happen, races run late, it's all part of the day. Kudos to the organizers for all their hard work in TRYING to keep it running on time! My biggest complaint would have been the start official. In our 2nd or 3rd race, the guy spent at least 5 min. trying to set us up...he kept sending us past the start line, and pulling us back, over and over! It was SO frustrating! Next time..we need an experienced start official to help keep things running smoothly. And to keep those stupid old people on the jet ski from riding up and down the course, even after being told many times to get off..their excuse? They live there and they wanted to watch and they had a right to be there!!! Geez! Somebody aim their boat at them!!! Haha! All in all, we DID have a great time! There are problems at every regatta, and this regatta's major problem of running late was caused by another team, so let's all give them some slack! Good job Harrison!!

[zeus]

well....hot day, great location, great drag queen entertainment, big screen just rocks!.....delays, restarts, and reraces happen...it's all a part of dragonboating...constructive critism is always needed...but attacks are unwarranted (therefore had to alter the original subject title)....just suck it up and realize that these volunteers and organizers spend hours and hours of their time to do a service to our community.....from behalf of my team who fell victim to the delays, rerace, etc....my team had a blast and our sincere thanks go the Digger and squad for making this a great festival....we'll be back next year!

[Lethal Weapon]

This is our second year at Harisson and While I am still not totally forgiving of last years "borrowing Paddlers" Fiasco we came back to try our luck again!
IMHO I think it was going pretty smoothly until the afternoon .A hour delay was brutal and the committee should have told the womens team that misregistered TFB and continue with the grid. Lanes were tight but we were involved in some AWESOME races and despite the trickier water conditions in the afternoon I think most teams will agree the heats were mostly pretty even. Its a second year festival and I think the race comittee did a pretty good job but I agree with the coach of lttle people that maybe getting some of water's edge staff involved would be a good idea. There were a LOT more pluses than negatives! The volunteers who prevailed despite 40 dsegree heat and blazing relentless sunshine setting up the venue on Friday (Arrrgh Pirates and Chilliwack teams About!) and the dock and marshalling staff who were friendly and cheerful. An Amazing location even with those fun rollers on the water and CLEAN water to swim in between races.
The race was not perfect but like all new regattas going through growing pains A pity the much anticipated Survivor race was cancelled as well.
I was soooooo busy running around and racing and coaching I did not fire a single race shot but the BIIIIIGGG A$$$$$ sceen made up for it! (ALcan organizers take note!).
Now to start preparing for Victoria!......

[kenbo604]

This was definately a "gong show", but if anything, it made things "interesting" to say the least.  We basically got to experience EVERYTHING all in one festival!    The crashing, the re-starts...all while being in 10 hours of blistering heat.  All in all, our team has a blast and I just wanted to thank all the organizers for putting on a good show!  

Though there was a little craziness, there was still great sportsmanship, and the organizers tried their best to tend to the needs of all teams.  Not bad for a 2nd showing.  As long as they learned from this experience, I look forward to an amazing 3rd.  

Thanks again Digger and all other organizers/volunteers!  

PS:  Anyone have the race grid times?

[brainiac]

Then Roli wins it only to be told that they accidentally gave away there medals to another division mistakenly ....that was too funny !!

Do you know which division got your medals? What's the difference?

[helan]

Wow, positive feedback - that's what it's all about.  Yes we can learn from mistakes, but if we never make any, how do we know that what we're doing is right?  Someone once told me that 'if you get 100% it doesn't show how much you know, it just shows that you know as much as you are required to', so in order to learn more, let's concentrate on positive, not negative - I'm sure the Harrison Committee are open to all suggestions as they are a really awesome committee, facing a huge amount of responsibility - above all - the safety of all paddlers.
When you think about it, we are a league of our own - dragon boating has been around for more years than many other sports.  As a medal/ribbon event it's not that old, let's not get too carried away with our own agenda - sometimes it needs to be put into perspective.  I wonder what the original paddlers would have to say about how we handle things now!  And as an addition, I would like to thank  all the steerspeople and callers for a great job - it's not an enviable position given the different water conditions (mostly weather dependent), and having to control 20 paddlers - not a position I would volunteer for, and yes, they are experienced but different factors do come into play -  just for the record I would like to extend my thanks and respect to all those that are willing to take on the stress that as a paddler I don't need to think about - I trust them explicitly.  Thanks Harrison and all those involved that made it an absolutely awesome experience - clashes and all - we all need to know that we can come out of it and still be part of the Dragon Boat community and most of all...friends!

[kryssee]

Nicely put, Helan!!!

[DiggerPig]

After reading all the posts - this demonstrates to me once again, why Dragon Boaters are in a league of their own when it comes to sportmanship and support. I have no problem with the phrase "gong-show" ... hell I might have said it a couple of times to myself during the afternoon!

Feedback - both good or bad is a useful tool.  That's why I like to come to Dragon Boat West - I know I'll get the straight facts.  I know talking last night after everything was packed up (try putting everything away after 5 races (we had to do that re-race)! 

I promise to all dragon boater's out there ... It will be a lot better next year.  We're still learning, but for one I have a voice and I've read your posts. Plus I saw tons of things we need to do to improve this regatta.  Some I've already mentioned in my earlier post. 

Now to partically answer one question - results. As my team was racing in the finals I don't know the results for the Rec A or Rec B - should know by Monday or Tuesday.

For the Competitive Finals -

1. Roli Canada - Gold
2. VO2 Max - Silver ?
3. Sudden Impact - Bronze

I will have all the times and results posted ASAP.

Again thanks for the comments - I don't get offended easily. Now if I could only get that Gong bell to stop ringing in my ears!!!