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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Nov 30
2009

Costumes are a long and established institution at festivals, but is it possible to go too far?

Blackface

Is it possible that some costumes, deliberately or innocently, might come across as insensitive or outright racist? If you were a person of colour, or paddled with someone of colour, how would you feel about this costume?

What do you think? I encourage you to take a second and respond to our poll, which you’ll find on the right side of your screen.

(For more context, see McLeans.ca and The Globe & Mail and, also recently, The Guardian reporting on an Australian event and the involvement of Harry Connick Jr.)

RESULTS

No, it’s offensive: 23 votes
No, it’s insensitive: 15 votes
Yes, it’s harmless: 10 votes

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