ONLY TAIWANESE boats are being used this weekend. No teak boats, or Millenium boats.
Wing Wong told me this on the weekend when Gung Haggis rented a Taiwanese boat for practice. This means that every 500m race is a Flag Grabbing race!!! Woo-hoo!!!
TAIWANESE boats will also be used for ALL fun races including the "BARREL RACE" - this is very cool, because the Taiwanese boats are flat bottomed and can spin on a dime... just like those DYNASTY boats from Calgary.
Only 25 teams registered - which is sad, because it means in the 6th year, registration is down.
This is a very unique event which is great because:
1) This is classic dragon boat racing just like in "ancient times" when flag grabbing determined the winners before stop-watches were invented.
2) The Taiwanese Cultural Festival
http://www.taiwanfest.ca is a very interesting festival filled with lots of Taiwanese culture, food, music, displays. It is now the "most Asian" dragon boat race/regatta that I have been to in BC, Washington, Oregon or California.
3) These are the prettiest and most colourful dragon boats I have ever seen in Vancouver, or North America.
No word on whether Taiwanese beer will be available... but it is probable.
My guess is that there will be a special award for "First Place after FCRCC"
Dragon Hearts Magnum may be going for it...
Riptide and Hon's Dragon Bowl are also attending.
Team Naluwan should also be making a repeat performance, as their paddlers are drawn from the youth group of the Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Association.
No offence taken Paddlecwazy... Gung Haggis team prides itself on being the highest ranked kilt wearing team on the rankings grid.
