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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[PaddleFunk]

OK after 24 hours (barely and I'm posting this at 10 PM) to digest the situation here goes.

Hats off to all the people that put themselves out there to make this happen... it is a major undertaking and I'm sure took a significant amount of effort and time to get everything together. Manfred, Ian, and the rest of FVDBC well done.  

The constructive criticisms, keep the venue (Obviously), The racers village was well laid out and the sightlines where great for watching the racing, the luxury port-o-potties where a bonus and the Giant TV was pretty good too... just would have liked and easy chair and a remote while the race grid was being sorted out

The volunteers where excellent the water and apples where a nice bonus and even the little BBQ fund raiser was well run.

Now as for the racing... I think I am likely going to reiterate much of what was already said in several different ways but here we go anyway.

The Boats:  Now this is a known issue and a recurring issue after pretty much every race.  I understand that every effort was made to clean the boats and make them as even as possible for race day and that effort is appreciated but lets not kid ourselves here.  Though the hull design and the general construction of the boats is the same we are dealing with boats of varying ages and varying states of repair and if I recall correctly 2 bionic boats that where rebuild after suffering significant damage in an accident two years ago.  

To suggest the lane made a difference in this case I think you may have a questionable argument, but to suggest the boat may have played a factor you're darn right it did.  Watching and being in the final heats you watched two races. Boats one and two and boats three and four with one and two struggling down the course fighting it out for bronze  (note the FVDBC boats happened to be  1 & 2  Barney remained firmly tied to the spare finger docks at DZ at least on Thursday night he was)... Now what to do about it... other than sinking the problem boats I would suggest taking what appear to be the fastest boats of the day and hope they are the most evenly matched boats of the day and reposition them for the A finals, we saw this happen last year for Kelowna where on day 2 the boats where shuffled so that the disparity between the boats was minimized or at least where it was obvious the boats where moved to outside lanes.  

Re-races:  A tool to be used sparingly in this sport, and if required call the race as quickly as possible and call it on the course.  The hint here: STOP THE RACE and pull the boats back to the starting line as soon as possible.  I know that many of the readers of this forum are long time dragon boaters and in training do back to back race pieces and have the conditioning to recover in 8 minutes it takes you to get back down the course and lined up again but for many in the sport they really do leave it all on the course.  Now to suggest in an event where advancements are calculated completely based on time is this fair to the teams involved... I doubt it.  This likely effected times and positioning for the seeding and final race outcomes.  How to fix it... if you must use the rerace do it sparingly and do it as soon as possible.  Have the water marshal call it early ideally as soon as they know that the race is being scrubbed, otherwise if it is an infraction on the part of the a team assess a time penalty and make that known at the managers meeting... or better yet where it was a blatant foul DQ the transgressors.  

Communication:  Now this is the big one and the one that honestly takes the least amount of effort to improve upon.  I realize that the race officials where likely in panic mode after the various technical hiccups but really as dragon boaters we for the most part are reasonable people so admit you are having some challenges and when you need it ASK for the help.  I found the worst part of the day not knowing what was going on, I heard nothing announced and I saw nothing posted on the results board.  I know it is hard but you did have some very experienced race officials floating around the site that could have helped (fortunately one did... Thanks Puppy but more on this later).  In future please, and this goes for all organizers of these events, be honest and upfront with your guest or patrons or how every you view the paddlers, though you may have a few sighs of frustration at the time if you inform them that there is a problem and what to expect you would avoid many of these problem because people would be capable of making informed decisions.  Finally with the communication when you do send something out or say something during the manager's meeting please stick to it, the comments about changing rules and then changing them back and forth are very valid.  Stick to your guns in these situations because though you may appease one squeaky wheel doesn't mean the problem is solved because you better believe you will hear about on here from the 'quieter' teams out there.

In closing I would also like to personally take a second on here to personally thank Puppy for putting him self out there and will try to remember to do the same I hope that in a similar situation next time more people will step to the plate and he race officials will accept if not solicit help where required.

As for Bernman's unfortunate comments... though I don't always agree with some of the on water stunts you pull I would never doubt for a minute that you intentions where pure in their intention and the fact that Bernman even thought that was your attempt concerns me greatly as it suggests that he would have used the situation to his advantage which is unfortunate.  

Anyway... dead horse now beaten repeatedly.

Oh... almost forgot... anyone who thinks they didn't make every effort to get back on time... please remember that there was a Fraser Valley challenge that was supposed to be run for the volunteers and I think the racing crew.  However, this race was cancelled basically meaning that anyone who was working the festival did so without participating in a sport that they love as much as you do.

If you have made it this far congrats... you have finally found the end

[P]

There's not much to be say that hasn't already been said, so I'll just confirm one rumour.

E&C and Red Fusion (my team), did in fact backpaddle half of the race!

At the marshalling area for Comp A Consolation, we already knew that because of all the seemingly random changes, and teams leaving, our team was guaranteed 1st place (E&C didn't have enough women i think...).  So we just decided to have some fun, race hard to the 250m mark, turn around in our seats, and backpaddle the rest of the way!

[Scaly]

A BIG thanks to Kerry for sorting out the race grid problems. 

When the semi-final race grid was posted, our team, Scaly Justice, informed the people at the registration tent that there was a problem, and one girl ran off to the race marshall's tent to resolve the problem.  It was only when Kerry got involved (a half hour later) when we were actually marshalling for our semi-final that the problem was resolved.  One team had to be recalled from the dock before they boarded boats.

Our Rec C semi-final - the first Rec semi-final of the day was slated to have Scaly Justice, Ford Fusion, Swordfish!! and Dragon Hearts!!  Had the problem not been sorted out before the start of the Rec semi-finals - there would have been far more re-races necessary, as the mistake meant that there was a shift of practically all teams on the grid (and we had already re-raced our first race (and we hear Swordfish had re-raced both of their seeding races)).

When the Finals sheet came around, more mix-ups, as we had magically advanced from the Rec C semi-final to the Rec B consolation, and none of the top 4 boats in the Rec C semi-finals were slated to race in Race 38 (the Rec C Final).  Kerry got that straightened up as well - as it was obvious which boats should have been in our final.  Luckily, the Rec C consolation had the correct boats listed, but all of the subsequent finals were messed up. 

Thanks again, Kerry!

[paddlebug]

Just to make a correction, E & C did have enough women to race the final with Red Fusion.  But there were 4 Splash Test paddlers (rest of their team left) around and they wanted to race.  (Splash Test was also in this heat).  So E&C decided to let them race in our boat after we made the deal with Red Fusion.  Both teams did race hard frontwards and backwards.  It still a race and both teams wanted to win.  In the end, E&C got DQ for having Splash Test paddlers in the boat.  That's ok, because it was a great stress reliever, and great way to end a long day.

Thanks to all the Manfred and all the volunteers to make festival happen.  You guys have an awesome venue and we will always support you guys.  Thanks again.

[clm10k]

though I don't always agree with some of the on water stunts you pull

what does this mean?  ive been coached by bernman in the past and in my experience, he's never pulled any on water stunts....ever. 

[Biscuit]

Many thanks to Puppy for helping to figure out the women's comp semi. Much appreciated by all four teams.

To Mana Wahine, Twist and Shout and WOW, you gals are all a class act.  See you in Kelowna!!!   

[mo]

the real reason for the delays is because of Swordfish.  We wanted to get our money's worth so we made sure we got 4 races first before lunch!

[PaddleFunk]

Quote from: PaddleFunk on Today at 12:12:33 AM
though I don't always agree with some of the on water stunts you pull


what does this mean?  ive been coached by bernman in the past and in my experience, he's never pulled any on water stunts....ever.

Read carefully Puppy's stunts not Bernman's... it is usually just Bernman's mouth that gets him in trouble 

[jean]

I came to Harrison on the weekend to cheer on our Sudden Impact Blue team who did awesome and was great to see some new paddlers with such excitement.
As the team I am on (Sudden Impact Black) were not paddling, I put my name out to paddle/call on other teams.  It was such a delight paddling for Sole Sisters (who are fantastic singers), but my highlight was having the honour to call on the Off Balance Team (M.S. team).  We should all take a moment to think what hardships these wonderful team members go through just to get on the boat itself.  After getting wheel chairs down to the dock, loading and sitting out in the water for 1 hour before the race was a challenge on its own.  Did I ever see a "long face"?? NO - I have never felt so much in awe of a team, who were so excited and did their best times ever.  I had tears streaming down my face as we came to the finish line and to look down that boat and see such perfect timing, happy faces, some helping others - it was mind boggling.  I would call for you anyday, anywhere - you are way ahead of us with all the challenges you have to face.  Other paddlers can zip to the toilet when waiting to go on the boats, you guys have just to suck it up as it was impossible to get wheel chairs back for you to go - I was so so proud of each and every one of you and will definitely be one of your fans when I see you paddling again.  To the coaches of this team ( I am sorry I did not get your names) but my hat goes off to you for your dedication and true spirit and for the great job you do.
Many thanks to the FVDBC for the wonderful event in Harrison.  A lot of hard work put in with you guys to pull this off - I am sure Manfred, Ian and Cathy spent many long hours out there this past week with the rest of the members.  So what - some things went wrong - isn't life like that?   Negative people will always be negative people - Harrison will go on and be better and stronger every year - I look forward to paddling many years at the Harrison festival - my thoughts - maybe all of you who complain so much should take a turn going out on the Off Balance team, then your thoughts may become way more positive.  Great job FVDBC - Sheena (Sudden Impact, Black)

[BernMan]

Quote from: PaddleFunk on Today at 12:12:33 AM
though I don't always agree with some of the on water stunts you pull


what does this mean?  ive been coached by bernman in the past and in my experience, he's never pulled any on water stunts....ever.

Read carefully Puppy's stunts not Bernman's... it is usually just Bernman's mouth that gets him in trouble 

Uhhhh yeah its true sometimes my big freaking mouth does get me into trouble. I mean I don't know how to sugar coat things so I say it as I see it. And sometimes it just doesn't even come out right like it was meant to be! And sometimes, really sometimes, I do come up with such wonderful things out of my mouth that I even am impressed with it! 

[cookie]

Puppy, what would we do without you!?!?

Thanks for always being there to run the Regatta's/Festivals so smoothly and for fixing any  hiccups!

You're the Best!!!   

[paddlecwazy]

I had expected that the lack of a level playing field was going to cause some tension and issues and it was I was asking last week about the race grid and suggesting that the lane assignment be random.

Given that their was known disparity between the boats, and advancement to medal rounds was based on cumulative time, I was mortified to see that lanes were already assigned for the two qualifying heats.... I expected animosity toward the organisers over lane assignment, but was not surprised that after the day degenerated into a mess and was salvaged by Puppy that someone would cry foul over the lane assignment.  I'm just glad this mess of a festival and the situations it caused did not cause a permanent rift between Bernie & Puppy (but I guess if Puppy has put up with Bernie's mouth for this long, then one more indiscretion could be excused)

One would think the FVDBC will learn from this past weekend and the previous two years and get it right next year......though it does seem to have gotten worse every year not better.....  

The easy solution, hire Waters Edge and their fleet of BuK's....and then we can have Puppy yell us at marshalling and Bern Man yell at us from the chase boat... you would obviously have to pass on the higher cost to us racers, but the combination of a great race site and well run races would make this one sweet little regatta and well worth the cost.

[puppy]

Honestly, there is no issues here between Bernie and I....he spoke his mind and rightfully so....All is good...there is no right and no wrong here...let's just race in Vernon, Kelowna, Victoria, San Francisco, Calgary and so on....

SO...may we all drop this subject about Bernie and I...in our mind it's a dead issue.

Going forward, I know that Ian will be presenting all the good things, and items that need to be fix, to the committee.

So, if there is anything else anyone else has to provide, please do so....BUT no more about the race grid....I think they have a HARRY POTTER size book on this issue.........

For Harrison, I think a lot of teams will return becuase of the site, hospitality and great friends out there....

PS If any vancouverrities see a corn patch from the highway...DO NOT think the corn is FREE.....those farmers have guns out there.

[PaddleFunk]

The easy solution, hire Waters Edge and their fleet of BuK's....and then we can have Puppy yell us at marshalling and Bern Man yell at us from the chase boat... you would obviously have to pass on the higher cost to us racers, but the combination of a great race site and well run races would make this one sweet little regatta and well worth the cost.

Here here...

Heck at this point I would even take FMG, seriously Water's Edge or GO would add a dimension to this race that could make this one of the premier events of the season.  We know they have the venue side nailed let's just get the racing to the same level.

[rb]

They used the slow ass "fraser valley dragon boat club" boat. They shouldn't use that for racing ever again.

I agree. Out of the all the Six-Sixteens they had there for sure one FVDBC boat and possibly two were significantly slower. They shouldn't be used in races. Those were the same boats that caused problems in Kelowna last year, how many more times do we have to go through this?

I feel sorry for the teams that got the slow one, I've been in one and know how it feels.