I just realized most dragon boat festival on the west coast does not have an "adult" requirement in their races. In terms of age, races have a "Junior Mixed", "Senior Mixed" and "Senior Women". In the general "mixed", "open" and "women" categories, they are all open with racers (paddlers, steers and drummer) to be at least the age of twelve (IDBF rule).
At RTADBF,
- Mixed Adult $1900 (visiting $1100)
- Women Adult $1900 (visiting $1100)
- Senior (mixed) $1100 (visiting $900)
- U23 (mixed) $1100 (visiting $900)
- Breast Cancer Survivor $500
- Junior (mixed) FREE
- Open $200
- Women's Composite $500 - composite of racers from other categories
My question is, why not change the first two categories to '"Mixed" and "Women". This will allow under 19 year-old racers to paddle in those categories. As you might have noticed, some of those racers may be more fit than some of the over 18 year-old racers. This will also allow junior teams that are willing to pay to race with the big kids... yes I am talking about Ouroboros, Hamber Eternal Dragons, Laoyam Eagles, Sudden Impact Liquid Silver and other very fast junior teams which would give them a chance to race in Guts and Glory.
I still hope the junior category still remains as a free category, as it does breathe new life into the paddling community, both locally and abroad.
I also hope that the festival organizers will also allow teams outside Canada and the United States (i.e. Latin America and overseas) free registration for those teams as well. It does add a bit of diversity to our racing.
