This year's paddler's party was pretty darn good. Except when Vera's ran out of burger buns and a small arguement brewed in the lineups... hungry paddlers with lots of dragon dollars... it can get pretty nasty.

I am gonna make a few comments for the organizers of Rio Tinto Alcan:
PROS:
1. Beer Garden was in an EXCELLENT location. At night fall it was beautiful with the city nightscape over False Creek.
2. Good local beer and selection of beverages. Would have liked to see some Coke or softdrinks for the non-beer drinkers (instead of Vitamin water which tasted like Kool-Aid)
3. TAKE NOTE! When the burgers ran out... the Jerk Chicken guys came to the rescue! Mmmm... that chicken was really tasty. They should do an all out Paddler's Party with BBQ in the Beer Garden next year. Let's have more food selections instead of only burgers!
4. The organizers extended the hours of the beer garden operations! You guys rock! Last year it ended before 9pm... this year I left at 10:00pm and it was still going strong!
5. Tight security. Even the police was hanging out with the paddlers. Of course the friendly paddlers made it trouble free for everyone. Kudos to you all!
Cons:
1. No Live Music. Setup a DJ next year to spin at the paddler's party.
2. Need more food selection. Vera's Burgers is always tasty but that's the only choice... having only burgers to eat after a long day of racing isn't too great... until the jerk chicken booth came to save the day!
3. Crowded in the beginning. Space was very limited. They should loop the beer garden all the way around to the other side of Science World (maybe to allow easier access to the porta-potty). When you have to go pee you have to run all the way around Science World!