Dec 28
2009

Champion IDBF Certified 30' 10-paddler boat

Champion IDBF Certified 30' 10-paddler boat

If you have had any experience paddling the 30′ IDBF Champion or Swift 30′ dragon boats, I’d love to hear from you.

I think these boats are going to become increasingly popular, simply because they solve so many problems (ever had a paddle cancelled because there were only 8 paddlers present?), and because they are fast and fun!

These boats weigh in at under 600 pounds, and are sold “ready to race,” with head, tail, drum, drummer’s seat and tiller, unlike many boats which are sold on the “Detroit Model,” i.e. the boat is sold “bare,” with available accessories at extra cost.

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Dec 7
2009

The rules coaches and teams employ to manage competition vary widely, which should make this a lively discussion.

A paddler signs up for a September festival during early summer, then leaves for an extended 6-week holiday. The holiday ends a week or so before the festival, but the paddler does not return to practice with his or her team.

The coach disqualified the paddler for the event.

Another paddler signed up for another September festival, then left for an extended 8-week holiday. The holiday ends a week or so before the festival.

The coach permited the paddler to compete.

Should these paddlers have been permitted to race with their teams after an extended absence?

I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone has to offer, particularly coaches, since this issue goes directly to a coaches’ “buy in” prior to the start of the season.

Does a Coach have a responsibility to see to it that his or her team is as well prepared as they can be for a competition?

Should unfit paddlers be permitted to compete?

Who is legally responsible if an unfit paddler is injured during competition?

POLL QUESTION & RESULTS:

Should a paddler who misses more than 50% of practices in the month prior to a race be allowed to paddle in the race?

NO: 21 votes
YES: 4 votes
NEW QUESTION: Should a paddler who misses all practices in the 6-8 weeks prior to a race be allowed to paddle in the race?

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Aug 29
2009

The Festival Poster Girl for this event was chosen for her taste in haute couture and avian companionship:

Nanaimo Women's Dragon Boat Regatta, August 29,2009

I have uploaded nearly 400 photographs from Nanaimo’s first Women’s Regatta to my SmugMug site. Click on any photo above to see the entire collection.

Kudos to the Nusa’Lon Dragons for sponsoring this event – ladies, you did an awesome job!
Nusa'Lon Dragons, Nanaimo Women's Dragon Boat Regatta, August 29,2009

Huge THANK YOU to all the paddlers that commented on my photographs… that’s what makes taking them worthwhile.

I also had a lot of paddlers ask about having accounts here on dragonboatpaddlers.net… that’s an easy one – Register and post articles and updates about your teams, add commentary to race photos, whatever you wish. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s easy.

Congratulations to TSUNAMI for taking home the gold!

Stay tuned!

Ken (Lisa’s Dad!)

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Aug 9
2009

I think it’s obvious why I selected Phoenix Rising’s Rumless as this event’s poster girl… here she is warming up for the final heat…

Phoenix Rising's 'Rumless' Ruth warming up for the big race

Paddling at the Gorge Fest was a first for Nanaimo’s Phoenix Rising, which was configured as a Woman’s team (which borrowed heavily from other Ergondragons Boating & Fitness Club teams) for the event.

Phoenix Rising is a recreational team, but they turned in three outstanding heats. They not only broke the three-minute barrier for the first time in their 3-year history, but they also consistently reduced their initial time in heats two and three.

Hats off to a team with performed admirably against some of the toughest competition possible. In their first heat, they faced the Nusa’Lon Dragons and the Island Breaststrokers, but they weren’t the least intimidated, and gave it all they had — and then some.

Over 300 photographs from the 9th Annual Gorge Fest Dragon Boat Regatta (Victoria, B.C., August 8, 2009) have been uploaded to IslandRoamer.SmugMug.com. Paddlers may download images for personal use without charge by selecting the desired image and clicking the BUY tag, then the DOWNLOAD tab.

The results have been posted here.

I was disappointed that the paddlers forming the paddle arch following the carnation ceremony did not repeat last years’ practice of pounding their paddles on the deck. It was an awesome and tribal tribute to our ladies in pink, and I’d hoped it would be repeated.

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Jun 23
2009

This drill was introduced to Ergondragons members during a Waters Edge Stroke Improvement Clinic. It is useful in helping paddlers who are not hinging, or who are not hinging through the full 15 degree range.

Arms should be held at shoulder height and kept fully extended.

dragon boat paddlers air drill

Coaches should watch for improper technique – note that the paddler in the rear does not have her arms extended, and will gain no benefit from the drill.

dragon boat paddler air drill

This drill provides an effective means of encouraging a single paddler to hinge properly while the rest of the crew continues to paddle, as this photo illustrates.
Ken McVay photos

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