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Title: Greater Vernon Dragon Boat Race & Festival Post by: Aquaman on July 21, 2008, 12:14:52 PM This weekend is the Vernon Dragon Boat Festival, one of the best-run and most fun DB festivals in Western Canada.
Teams that are going (that I know of) include Pacific Reach, Sudden Impact Black, Calgary Race Club, Starbucks Waverunners, Fluid Motion, TopMade Fusion and Gung Haggis Fat Choy. Who else is attending? Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: Lethal Weapon on July 21, 2008, 12:39:41 PM Anyone know what boats they will be using?
If it is those Dynasty bathtubs then you better bring a pad to protect your ribs and goggles to swim if the wind picks up in the Afternoon! Mind you with the amount if Capsizes we have had this year, the BUKS aren't really wave worthy boats either (more for teams who have never paddled in them) but the teams who have experience in them are ok 6-16 anyone? *** *** please note that these comments are from someone who cannot swim ands sinks like a rock with an anchor attached to it and are not nessassarily the views of the 99% of the people who can. :lol: Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: cherry wahine on July 21, 2008, 12:46:26 PM The Wahines will be there!!!
Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: Aquaman on July 21, 2008, 01:19:24 PM Anyone know what boats they will be using? All races will indeed be in the venerable Dynasty boats this year.If it is those Dynasty bathtubs then you better bring a pad to protect your ribs and goggles to swim if the wind picks up in the Afternoon! Mind you with the amount if Capsizes we have had this year, the BUKS aren't really wave worthy boats either (more for teams who have never paddled in them) but the teams who have experience in them are ok 6-16 anyone? *** They are still great to race in...the fact that the Dynasty's have no keel to speak of just makes them tough for those not used to them, especially in windy conditions. With BUK's, you can take the oar out of the water at times, assuming your left and right paddlers are fairly evenly matched. In Dynasty's, you should never take the oar out of the water or you risk spinning out. With no keel, they will not hold a straight line without active input from the steersperson. My understanding is that there will be several Calgary steerpeople on site to assist with steering if the conditions get ugly (as they did Sunday morning last year). The weekend is supposed to have fantastic weather, the same rocking band will be there from last year and CRC will be bringing their "Sunday afternoon friend" with them...so expect a good time to be had by all. Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: Lethal Weapon on July 21, 2008, 01:55:24 PM Nice nice!
Luckily I will be in a nice motorized Boat next to or behind u guys watching the fun! Quote CRC will be bringing their "Sunday afternoon friend" with them...so expect a good time to be had by all. Geez I wonder what that is? I will be on hand to take Spy shots so we can use it to develop V3.0 for next year.... Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: Aquaman on July 21, 2008, 02:52:47 PM Nice nice! Luckily I will be in a nice motorized Boat next to or behind u guys watching the fun! Quote CRC will be bringing their "Sunday afternoon friend" with them...so expect a good time to be had by all. Geez I wonder what that is? I will be on hand to take Spy shots so we can use it to develop V3.0 for next year.... LOL Last year, the Shocker wreaked havoc on dozens of livers that experienced it in the Vernon Beer Tent...in 2008, expect the Fat Finger to double the carnage! Our crack engineering team (aka Road//Rash) has burned the blueprints and keeps the latest version under guard at all times. Everyone involved in the manufacture of the monstrosity has been "silenced". Take all the pics you want, but the secrets of the Fat Finger are safe! :lol: Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: rightarm on July 22, 2008, 12:32:18 AM oh i so wish i was going. this is the best all-around festival by far... :( oh the trials and tribulations of being a photographer in wedding season... :lol:
good luck to all! Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: mustbecrazy on July 22, 2008, 12:07:12 PM Right Arm,
We wish you were going too! Just won't be the same without you! 8)) Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: gunghaggis on July 23, 2008, 12:21:57 AM This will be the 2nd year of racing in Vernon for the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team.
This will be my 3rd time in Vernon, as I volunteered for the inaugural race. I end up at Vernon, simply because I have to visit my girlfriend's parents at their lakeside home (10 minutes from the race site), and dragon boat racing gives me an opportunity to get away from social obligations. This race venue has a host of challenges to overcome to really be one of the best in Western Canada (sorry Aquaman). The problems with Vernon are many: The beach sand is too hot and you can easily burn your feet (warn your paddlers about sun stroke!) The weather is sooo hot, you spend most of the time in the water (really awkward if you forget a bathing suit and are wearing a kilt) The ice capuccino vendor is too close to the team tents... I overdosed on caffeine last year and had a brain freeze at the same time. Too many wineries in the Okanagan, it's too easy to get lost on the way there, having to stop at this winery and that winery. The wines are too tasty you've got to have a nice wine glass in your hand 24 hours a day. This makes paddling very challenging. The water is soooo clear, I can see the fishies. Our paddlers get scared during the races. Too many Calgary teams... I felt like I was amongst so many friends, I hadn't left Vancouver. So much for an Okanagan vacation to try to get away from it all. Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: Martini on July 23, 2008, 08:06:59 AM The problems with Vernon are many: The beach sand is too hot and you can easily burn your feet (warn your paddlers about sun stroke!) The weather is sooo hot, you spend most of the time in the water (really awkward if you forget a bathing suit and are wearing a kilt) The ice capuccino vendor is too close to the team tents... I overdosed on caffeine last year and had a brain freeze at the same time. Too many wineries in the Okanagan, it's too easy to get lost on the way there, having to stop at this winery and that winery. The wines are too tasty you've got to have a nice wine glass in your hand 24 hours a day. This makes paddling very challenging. The water is soooo clear, I can see the fishies. Our paddlers get scared during the races. Too many Calgary teams... I felt like I was amongst so many friends, I hadn't left Vancouver. So much for an Okanagan vacation to try to get away from it all. You're right, I can't believe anyone would actually want to go there to race! :wink: Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: Aquaman on July 23, 2008, 08:21:03 AM The problems with Vernon are many: The beach sand is too hot and you can easily burn your feet (warn your paddlers about sun stroke!) The weather is sooo hot, you spend most of the time in the water (really awkward if you forget a bathing suit and are wearing a kilt) The ice capuccino vendor is too close to the team tents... I overdosed on caffeine last year and had a brain freeze at the same time. Too many wineries in the Okanagan, it's too easy to get lost on the way there, having to stop at this winery and that winery. The wines are too tasty you've got to have a nice wine glass in your hand 24 hours a day. This makes paddling very challenging. The water is soooo clear, I can see the fishies. Our paddlers get scared during the races. Too many Calgary teams... I felt like I was amongst so many friends, I hadn't left Vancouver. So much for an Okanagan vacation to try to get away from it all. You're right, Todd, when you put it like that, it sounds like hell! Too much sun, too much (clean) water, too much swimming, too much alchohol and iced caps! Not to mention those crazy Calgarians all over the place (CRC/TopMade/ADBRF). msn(;)) See ya in Vernon! And watch out for Race 8 at 10:15...CRC, Fluid Motion and a certain Sino-Scottish team that you may be aware of... :D Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: Shaggin_Diamond on July 23, 2008, 04:18:14 PM Todd, you are hilarious!
Shaggin Dragons Reloaded will be there to help lube things up and stamp you all at beer o'clock :shock: Here's to good times and great racing folks! Title: Re: Who's Going to Vernon? Post by: gunghaggis on July 24, 2008, 12:10:35 PM DON'T FORGET:
Evil Okanagan winds... Last year, the winds were up on Sunday morning - and the Dynasty boat's keel-less rounded hulls can be easily knocked about. I got knocked off my lead stroke seat last year by a rogue power boat wave, and our steers got knocked off her feet. Unsuspecting drummers have also been known to fall into Kalamalka Lake. Evil Power Boats & water skiers Lots of Kal Lake vacationers/residents have no idea about dragon boats, and the time honoured cultural experience we offer. They speed around like they own the lake... you think they could read the signs saying "reduce boat wake - important cultural experience happening" Evil Sun + Tents The Sun is hot! Expect 30 degree temperature on Saturday! Vernon Races do not provide tents - You must bring your own. I forgot 2 years ago and had to pick a tent up at Canadian Tire. Weather report is for RAIN on Sunday. Rain + Sand reminds me of Harrison. Evil Beer Garden / Cage alcohol and too much sun = dehydration and heat stroke... so drink twice as much as you normally do. Not much cover in beer garden so remember to bring your own tents and umbrellas for personal shade. It's more like a cage with a high metal fence around you instead of nice respectable civilized waist-high fencing. You feel like a wild animal sitting inside the beer garden. Kilt Warning - don't wear a kilt around female beer drinkers who have lost all sense of inhibition and social conduct. Maybe that's why it's got cage fencing for the "cougars". Evil Eye + Sunglasses These are important - not just because of the increased glare on the water and sand... but all the hot oil glistening off the topless males and bikini topped females. Wear your sun glasses, and never let your coach know that your focus is out of the boat, or away from the team. Evil Lubricant Shaggin' Dragons Reloaded in Vernon? Oh My! lubricant + sand??? 'nuff said! There are SO MANY NEGATIVES to dragon boat racing in Vernon. I don't know why I keep timing my 3X Vernon vacations for dragon boats. Title: Vernon Festival Post by: kryssee on July 28, 2008, 06:25:58 AM So, I'm starting to wonder if the lake got choppy again and all of you paddlers were lost at "sea"! I have never seen this forum so quiet after a regatta! Either it was perfect (aka..no complaints!) or you're all still trying to make your way back to shore! I heard Sudden Impact took gold in mixed, Extreme Curves took gold in womens..but that's about it! Any results? Stories? More importantly..pictures?? :P
Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: DiggerPig on July 28, 2008, 06:59:59 AM Hey Kryssee,
Quote Either it was perfect (aka..no complaints!) or you're all still trying to make your way back to shore! No it was not "perfect" and most of us did not make it back to shore until late last night ... curse that Calgary Beer Bong! :D Vernon itself was awesome venue and like always Water's Edge did a great job running the races BUT those Dynasty Boats need to find a shallow grave and man was that water choppy. There was two delays on Sunday due to choppy water and one boat flipping. As for the finals you are correct the Women's Final had Extreme Curves beating Mana Wahine for first and Sudden Impact Black just beating Pacific Reach for top spot this weekend. By just I meant 2:09.47 vs. 2:09.61 Great Race Pacific Reach. In our third race (SI Black) we almost flipped the boat ... I swore to my team that if we flipped we were going to paddle to the finish line sideways or I was going to swim to the finish line. Unfortunately Calgary (we really wanted to battle with them) had a mishap in their semifinals but we know we'll battle them again down the road. Could Vernon be better ... yeah but it was a great venue, great community support, and there is also great competition from Calgary, Vancouver, and the surrounding communities. Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: kryssee on July 28, 2008, 07:48:32 AM Well congrats, Digger Pig, on your pretty gold necklace you'll be wearing all week, I'm sure! That final time is about as close as it comes! The difference between a slow and a quick click of the thumb on a stop watch! lol And congrats to all paddlers who survived, not to mention finished the races! I just heard that the pleasure boats caused quite a problem this year, being that they decided the race course was a nice place to hang out. Heard that one boat had to come to a dead stop while they were racing. Wonder if this is going to be an ongoing problem, or if the race organizers decide to invest in a potato gun for next year??? :shock: :lol: Can't wait to see the official results!
Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: leftie on July 28, 2008, 09:23:33 AM Vernon was great!!!! Love the sand (burnt the bottoms of my feet), the beachfront tents, the clear, clean water and the warm Okanagan hospitality......
The racing was great.... Yes Kryssee, there was a complete boat stop in the women's championship final - a rough wind came up from nowhere, along with a very angry black cloud and horizontal rain...... It descended upon us and caused a bit of a redirection with our boat - causing us to go off course....... we couldn't correct and had to stop...... and the rest is history. This whole drama took place over the course of about ten minutes. I guess that is the nature of the Okanagan weather - blows in as fast as it blows out...... "The SQUALL" caused havoc on shore - blew our tents over - thanks to the Okanagan Springs Team for catching our tents before they blew to Salmon Arm... Hey - but that's racing.... Thanks to everyone in Vernon for helping us to have a great weekend. Well done! Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: Paddlebunny on July 28, 2008, 09:30:01 AM Are there any other race results to share?
Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: Shaggin_Diamond on July 28, 2008, 10:36:29 AM Hopefully the results will be posted soon. Mixed Championship B finals were won by Calgary, Fluid Motion second and SDR third. Great racing by all teams!
Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: Lethal Weapon on July 28, 2008, 11:02:27 AM It was a fine fine day for Dragonboat Racing! (TO be said with a thick Scottish accent..)
Saturday was a beauty with no wind or waves and good times in the beer tent (no Bong..) SUNDAY was more of a challenge, while not as crazy as last year, it was a challenge for the steers and test for the crews as they battled the elements for some pretty close and exciting racing. I was in the chase (rescue) boat all day sunday and got a first hand look at how the boats were being tossed around by the wave. A great job by WE as usual in preventing any serious collisions (and only one capsize which happened before the start of the race). I had the pleasure of paddling with SI on Saturday but has a front row seat for the exciting Final with PAC reach in the final. Here are some pics of Paddlers howling, Drinking, dunking and oh yeah, paddling! (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0077Large.jpg) The one and only capsize of the day, Good team name "Posiden's Fury".... (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0132Large.jpg) Todd of GH, Hanging on for dear life, (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0135Large.jpg) Calgary steers losing it in the semis...too bad (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0159Large.jpg) Check the wave on the side of the boat (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0174Large.jpg) A litte hard for the recovery, eh Pam...LOL (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0190Large.jpg) SI steer making the save (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0210Large.jpg) FIre on Water, The Blue paddles (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/IMG_2211Large.jpg) Lock and loading Beer Bong 3.0 (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/IMG_1908Large.jpg) Hmmm, Same Homeless Guy from Harrison was here... (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/IMG_1938Large.jpg) Why you should not wear Lycra on a hot drummers seat. All Smiles! (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0018Large.jpg) Close finish! (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0138Large.jpg) Nice form Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: Lethal Weapon on July 28, 2008, 11:13:07 AM some more shots
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0357Large.jpg) 1000 meter turn (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/IMG_1973Large.jpg) Hmmm, New shaggin Sun glasses (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0036Large.jpg) Maaaaannaaa WWWaahhhinnneeeeee (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0163Large.jpg) In Action (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/IMG_2156Large.jpg) Damn, It took me an hour to photoshop a smile on DiggerPig's face... (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/Lethal_Weapon/Vernon2008/KV7D0272Large.jpg) Nice elevation Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: krazykid on July 28, 2008, 02:35:50 PM Great photos yet again Ben. Thanks to W.E for putting on another great event. it was a fantastic racing weekend, cept for that unfortunate storm that rolled through quite quickly, we lost our tent as well! I cant wait to race again
Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: Backward Rowing on July 28, 2008, 09:33:30 PM Random shots
(http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1010957.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1010959.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1010961.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1010967.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1010968.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1010978.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1010979.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1010995.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020003.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020004.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020005.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020006.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020015.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020017.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020073.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020074.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020075.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020076.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020077.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020087.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020088.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020095.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020100.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020126.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020035.jpg) (http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m92/gingersnaps1969/Greater%20Vernon%20Dragon%20Boat%20Festival%202008/P1020091.jpg) Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: @1 with the blade on July 29, 2008, 03:43:13 AM Quote BUT those Dynasty Boats need to find a shallow grave Being touted as such a wonderful boat benefiting from Computer Aided Design it goes to show a CAD boat can be masterfully reproduced on mass, to its own detriment. Unfortunately the Computer couldn't point out to the "Designer" before production that a round bottom much like a sailboat NEEDS the stability of some sort of keel. Even sailboats have a dagger-board or weighted keel to keep them from easily overturning. These are the worst in anything but the flattest of waters. The only thing that keeps more of them from swamping is their insanely high (and uncomfortable!) sidewalls. Thankfully, as you can see in the pictures, these sidewalls offer LOTS of advertising room above the waterline. msn(;)) A shallow grave isn't needed, it would be too much work. Set them adrift in deep water on a windy or boat chop driven area, pop their flotation and let them do what comes natural. Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: mustbecrazy on July 29, 2008, 06:24:13 AM Vernon is always a favorite venue..for all the reason's cited on another thread...sun, sand, great vendors, excellent scenary and, despite some all-out hard racing, relaxed and casual.
Those boats, on the other hand are the worst! You have to have them absolutely balanced or the steersperson deals with it for the entire race. As a paddler, there is no comfortable position for your feet, at least not one that makes both hinge and rotation, in a linear way, possible. The issue about the high gunwale has already been addressed. I say sink 'em...unless you are a team that really likes not knowing if you are going to make to the start line or down the race course upright or really likes that " Mr Toad's wild ride at Disneyland" feeling when you race.. Water's Edge is unfailingly professional and safety-conscious. They were in rescue mode within moments of this year's capsize. I appreciate their attention to this kind of detail. It just begs the question, tho', why should they have to be so hyper-vigilant when the answer is this: Use a safer boat! One final observation...the medals given out to the teams fell apart as our team was receiving them... the metal disk in the center fell off and became lost in the sand. We don't race for medals but if you're giving them, they should be a momento of the event that lasts! Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: Waters Edge on July 29, 2008, 09:07:05 AM Hi Everyone,
Here are the 2008 Vernon Results: www.canpaddle.com/newsletter/2008_VernonResults.pdf (http://www.canpaddle.com/newsletter/2008_VernonResults.pdf) Cheers, the Water's Edge Team Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: gunghaggis on July 30, 2008, 02:57:16 PM EVIL OKANAGAN WINDS... didn't I say so!
add in the EVIL DYNASTY BOATS from Calgary Water's Edge did a great job running the races, and post-poning or cancelling races when the winds picked up. For Sunday morning, because of the wind kissed waves... Calgary steerspersons familiar with the Dynasty boats replaced steers people unfamiliar with Dynasty boats. I was an exception, having steered Dynasty's since the inaugural Vernon race in 2005. Gung Haggis team was out on the water for the Adult Mixed C Division semi-final, when the "Poseidon's Fury" team tipped into the water on Sunday morning for an unexpected swim. The rolling waves seemed initially more exciting than scary as we paddled out. The beautiful green water with occasional white caps, was more of a gentle Hawaii surf. We were directed to point the sterns south with our backs to the wind. The race was handed to the starter, and teams were called to the staging line. But whenever the teams turned - the rolling waves hit the boats broadside and it was unsettling as the boats rolled with the waves in the trough. We saw "Poseidon's Fury" tip gently starboardside, then soon everybody was in the water. There were 3 motorized boats on the scene quickly. The remaining teams circled, once then were recalled to the beach, as the races were post-poned. As we paddled into the beach, the captain/coach of Poseidon's Fury was getting a ride in on a Sea-doo. The 9:15 race which had been running 20 minutes late was delayed until 12 noon. The Breast cancer race was determined by the fastest time of the 3 breast cancer teams and the actual race was not run. But the ceremony went on at 11:15 as scheduled. Damn... I lost control of the Dynasty boat in the choppy water when our Mixed C semi-final was re-run. Let it Run! Hold... The boat beside us passes us... We recovered and came 4th. Afterwards during our race debrief - I explained to our team that I had been given steering hints by a Calgary steers to better handle the boats in the chop. They really "gave it to me" for listening to somebody else and not trusting my own experience and abilities. In my recovery, I found that in these "keel-less boats" you have to have your steering oar deep for better control and leverage. Harvey from Eye of the Dragon was steering for Fluid Motion, and confirmed this for me as we chatted. All kidding Calgary aside... It's important for Steers to share information about different boats and different conditions. We never want anybody to lose control of a boat, or capsize. Calgary Racing Club lost control of their boat in the following A/B semi-final. So I didn't feel too bad losing control in our race. :lol: hee hee... The waters were just that bouncy, and very challenging staying in generally the same direction, as a straight line was impossible with the wind and waves. Great that "Poseidon's Fury" recovered and came 3rd both in the re-run C semi-final in the C final. Gung Haggis will be back in Vernon, because we like Kalamalka Lake, and prefer the smaller Vernon race to the much larger Kelowna race. This is a very friendly venue, and we really enjoyed seeing all our dragon boat friends. Gung Haggis pictures and stories posted on http://www.gunghaggis.com/blog/_archives/2008/7/27/3812902.html (http://www.gunghaggis.com/blog/_archives/2008/7/27/3812902.html) Title: Re: Vernon Festival Post by: StraightLine on July 31, 2008, 09:01:56 AM Sunday's water conditions were certainly "interesting". I don't think they were as bad as last year in Kelowna, but the impact was magnified by the flat-bottomed hull of those never sufficiently damned Dynasty boats. By the end of racing on Sunday, I was feeling the impact of forcing the boats to hold a relatively straight track down the course. I managed to avoid getting any of my boats into trouble, but my first race Sunday morning had boat 4 ending up on top of boat 3 between the drummer and bench 1. Fortunately no one was hurt.
I would like to thank all of the teams that allowed me to come onto their boat and steer for them. I know from experience what it is like having an unknown steersperson take control of your team and I take it as a high compliment that teams were asking for me to steer for them in subsequent races. The teams were - Starbucks Waverunners (6 races) - the team I was racing with Penticton Dragon Bottoms (5 races) Canucks Puck N' Paddlers (2 races) Mighty Dragons (1 race) Island Breaststrokers (1 race) Dragon in the Drink (1 race) Dr'agonize (1 race) StraightLine. |