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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

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[puppy]

Well the Typhoon has come and gone. Down at the race site and it's amazing what a lot of people can do in a day here. The race site is amazing because it's right in the heart of Victoria Harbour. The finish line has bleachers for all the VIP's and the spectators have a clear view of the race course.  

The water is choppy and we will have to have a contingent plan to bail the boat while we race and/or how to swim back to shore.

We are also provide showers after each race. Except we are not allowed to use soap or any detergent. The run off water flows back into victoria harbour.  

The racers village is about 3-4 blocks away at the polytechical university.  The walk will be about 10-15 minutes between marshalling and the racers village (have to dodge cars, buses, and people.

I'm so glad i brought my life jacket....GULP  

If you thought racing in San Francisco or even any open ocean, you have to see the water here.  The barges are moving into place today, to help calm the water down

Anyway, we are now looking out of our window and there are intermintent lighting strikes. If the typhoon doesn't get us, then there is always the lightening. It's like Harrison all over again but 10X worse.

Can someone check if we can buy extra life insurance?  

We are off to the managers meeting with our crew and hope to get word of our first and only practice and when we will be racing on Sat and Sun.

The rest of the group are all out enjoying the sites and sounds of Hong Kong. So much to do here.

Can't wait till we bring the 6 crews next year from Vancouver....

[Garbage Miles]

So if races were supposed to start Friday, and are now pushed back to Saturday and Sunday, does that mean they will modify the grid for fewer races?

Sounds like Harrison ... hot, humid, lightning, thunder.  But Harrison might be ok this year!   

[puppy]

The Hong Kong Observatory issued a “Blackâ€� rainstorm warning at 5:30 p.m. tonight. This warning indicates that heavy rain is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong. Serious flooding of roads is likely, with consequent traffic congestion.Government advice is to take shelter indoors and avoid travel until the Black Rainstorm warning has been lifted.                       

[puppy]

Hong Kong Government News Release

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201007/21/P201007210144.htm


    
Canadian teams to take part in Hong Kong's first Dragon Boat Carnival (with photos)
************************************************************
     Four Canadian dragon boat racing teams from the province of British Columbia will be taking part in Hong Kong's first Dragon Boat Carnival from July 23 to 25, one of three mega events between now and mid-2011 earmarked by the Hong Kong SAR Government.

     With about 200 local and international teams from 12 countries and regions participating, the newly launched annual Dragon Boat Carnival is one of the highlights of the Hong Kong Tourism Board's (HKTB) annual "Summer Spectacular". The other two mega events are the Hong Kong Tennis Classic 2011 "World Team Challenge", which will be held next January, and Hong Kong's first ever international women's golf event, the Hong Kong Women's Open, from late April to early May in 2011.

     The four Canadian teams of over 60 paddlers, all from the False Creek Racing Canoe Club, are sponsored by HSBC Bank Canada and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Toronto. They will join three categories of races - mixed, open, and women's international championship.  The False Creek Racing Canoe Club is one of the best known breeding grounds of Canadian paddlers.  The club's dragon boat teams have competed in many international events and have won the Hong Kong championships five times in previous years.

     The Director of the HKETO in Toronto, Ms Maureen Siu, described Hong Kong as the birthplace of modern dragon boat racing. "Dragon boating in Canada began at the World Expo in Vancouver in 1986, when the city was given six dragon boats by Hong Kong," said Ms Siu.  "Now dragon boating has become a popular sporting activity in major cities across Canada, and evolved beyond festivals to include community, charity and sport racing in many combinations.

     "Having four high-calibre Canadian teams joining this event could further promote Hong Kong-Canada relations," she added.

     Jointly organised by the HKTB and Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival will be held in Victoria Harbour along the East Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, with many cultural entertainment programmes.

     The HKTB's Director of Canada, Central and South America, Mr Michael Lim, said, "The carnival celebrates our traditional Chinese culture with modern elements by enlarging the scale of the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races while introducing new programmes of  different kinds to attract even greater participation by visitors and local residents."

     For more details, please visit: www.discoverhongkong.com/festivehk2010/eng/summer/highlight_overview.jsp .


Ends/Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:30

http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201007/21/P201007210144_photo_1018720.htm
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201007/21/P201007210144_photo_1018721.htm
 

[puppy]

After attending the team managers meeting tonight, it appears that we will need to put on our A game in the first race Saturday.

The first race is strictly based on BEST TIMES. This will determine if we go into the CUP, PLATE or BOWL round (Cup being the highest round).

In addition, due to the weather conditions, we have to race a Maximum of 18 Paddlers in a race. They are using Champion Boats here and these boats do not handle rough waters. Furthermore, if the conditions turn worse, we may only race a maximum 16 Paddlers. All the coaches are working hard to put the best team on the water and ensure everyone also get's to race.

We have officially asked to enter into the 60 person LARGE DRAGON BOAT race. If we are allowed to race, It will be the first time HSBC FCRCC will have a 60 person dragon boat team. We are not sure who will stroke or drum or steer but if we do get to race in this, it will be an experience to see. We will try our best to take some photo's.

There is a CAN/USA team here too. It is a combo team from Tampa and a Team from Toronto. Dragon Warriors is the other USA Team.

BTW, Road Rash is here and scaring all the local people. Their comments are "He's huge" in chinese. But don't tell Road Rash this, it might get to his head

Tomorrow, we have practice on the water and we have to practice how to swim back to shore (I'm praying we don't have too).

[2010]

@Puppy. Get yourself a twitter account!

[Garbage Miles]

@Puppy. Get yourself a twitter account!

He can't write these huge essays with a twitter account!  He should be posting photos for us too.

Now ... as armchair coach, I suggest stacking the team for first race to get into the Cup round.  Put in your best OC paddlers who aren't afraid of a little chop.  And then hope for the best.  LOL. 

I sure hope there is video of this.   

[blizzy]

Thanks for taking the time to update us, puppy.  Keep em coming!

[Lethal Weapon]

BTW, Road Rash is here and scaring all the local people. Their comments are "He's huge" in chinese. But don't tell Road Rash this, it might get to his head

they are either talking about his Head or the Beer bong.....

After hearing the reports on the water conditions I think I am glad I am not there but next time I will make the trip with my camera as it sounds like a good chance for some awesome shots....hmmmm...pictures of floating poop and condoms UP CLOSE!

[puppy]

Eva is our Liasion from Hong Kong, who has been assigned to us. She's great. She's helping our team out with logisicts. Where to shop, where to pee, etc...HK has taken every step to keep the international teams feel welcomed.

Due to the change in the weather, we have now gone to a 18 poerson crew. Both HSBC FCRCC teams were on the water. For a few of the newbies in Hong Kong (most of the team) they were surprised by the ROLLING waves from all directions.

As we get to the race site, we are given a nice tour of the racer's village, Pre marshall and Marshalling area. If you thought the walk in Rio Tinto is far, you should check out our walk. We have to cross a street, Walk over a LOOONG overpass and dodge 1000's of regular public, just to get to racers village.

They have provided us with showers, just to wash the "Floates" off our body.  The shower is so GHETTO, but kinda cool....just imagine BIG WHITE TUBS of water and little chinese scoop buckets that you pour over yourself. Hey don't knock it, it works.

We practiced in Champion Boats (Exact same as the Arizona DB Festival). There is a fleet of of over 24 of these boats. If anyone knows what these boats are like, they are "touchy" in the water. This means, they get pushed around easily. You have to a strong steersperson, to keep the boat from gettting away. The steering oar is shorter than ours and is no bigger than a toothpic. I kid you not.

We tried to enter the BathTub Races but couldn't - Full...but seriously, they looked like bathtubs. Fits two. Kamini wanted to race in them. I thought she lost her marbles. Kamini in a bath tub yelling at someone to keep stroke..hhhehhaahahah. Just imagine...HUT HO, in the middle of the race.

First group to go on the water, was HSBC FCRCC High Performance. The look on a few faces, including Fanya and Jenny was priceless. First warm up and we all realize that the water (which looks calm on the shore) is not as calm on the water. Lots of dips in the water. Rescue boats don't care about wake. They just buzz around blowing airhorns at everyone.  You should check out our HOME MADE bailers. Kamini's group made home made BIG A$$ bailers. Teams looked at us and were supprised. Catherine was walking around with them and it was priceless. Team Canada CAME PREPARED.

The  HSBC Jambalaya team got on the water and we realize how rough it is.  There was in an incident where we a rescue boat cut in front of us and created a HUGE wake. I just called WAKE COMING and bam, we hit it...it was fun...except our drummer wasn't too pleased with getting wet and our strokers where a little wet  

A few of our paddlers got "sea sick" but with some rest and lots of water, they should be good to go.

Well it's one race tomorrow to determine our placement. Then it's a fight for 1st on Sunday.  Sounds like some of our paddlers are off to buy some goggles and tape (to tape our mouth shut)

On the water, the Chinese have an absolute high rate. The Italians and USA (Dragon Warriors) have a slower rate. Lot's of different styles. The Japenese, Thailand, China, Maccau all showed up too. We were all checking each other out. It's was an amazing site to see the international teams all there.

Off to dinner at Fat Angelo's (Italian Food in Hong Kong)  

If you ever want to learn how to steer, just come out to Hong Kong and learn If you can steer here, you can steer anywhere.

Updates soon to follow....

Sorry, no twitter because I'm a twit.  

[DBWTim]

Weather okay now but they are making us race with 18 paddlers, frt row empty. Barges all along the race course. Brand new Champion dragon boats, 18 of them. Practiced today, dirty water, still wavy. Held starts using plastic modular docks. 2 races tomorrow, 1 mixed, 1 open, 1 women because they condensed the race schedule to Sat & Sun. Have to do well to get into Cup, Bowl or Plate Final.

[dogpaddle]

Good luck to the Canadian teams racing tomorrow! Do us proud!

Did Road Rash take the beer bong with him? 

[puppy]

It is with unfortunate news, the HSBC FCRCC OPEN team has capsized at around the 300-400 meter mark. The boat rolled right, then left and we got swamped. As seat 5 started to bail, we rolled over. The open team is unhappy but in good spirits. No one is injured, just two lost pair of glasses. The two mix teams are next.

[DBWTim]

Open race this morning, we were leading the race and then the boat started to go side to side and we were taking on water each time. We took on so much water, above my ankles and we capsized, CRAP!!! Everyone okay, just PO'd that we went over.

Almost every race, boats are going over, sometimes 1, 2 or more.

Mixed race much better, FC HP 1st, we came 2nd. Dragon Warriors capsized.

[puppy]

Well here is the ironic twist of fate. Brad, puppy and shen protested the race because of the speed boats. We have won our protest and will re-race for a time. We will follow the women's race. Its getting hot here but the open team is eager to race again. Wish us luck