Dragonboat Go-Carts arrive at SFU for intramural “Canadian Games”

The first ever Dragon-carts or dragon boat go-carts, arrived at Simon
Fraser University today.  These are proto-types created by Bob
Brinson, a coach with the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team, and a
former carpenter with CBC TV.  Bob also recently re-finished the
original teak dragon boats donated to Vancouver during Expo 86.

The Dragon-carts sit on 3 wheels and are built on top of a 4'x8'
plywood base, 3/4 inch thick.  The sides are slightly curved like
a boats hull.  They will seat 6 paddlers + steersperson. 
Presently they look like a wooden bathtub – but once we paint them and
build heads and tails – they will be beautiful!

Our first experience “paddling” them was lots of fun.  Bob and I
used aluminum crutches as “paddles” and got some good speed in the
warehouse.  Up at SFU with 5 or 7 people the go-cart was much
slower as all the weight puts much more pressure on the rubber inflated
tires.  This will not be an easy push in the park for the neophyte
racers, as it took a lot of effort to move the 1200 pounds of people we
were carrying.

SFU intramural hopes that the Dragon-Cart races will become a unique
marquee event for the SFU Gung Haggis Fat Choy “Canadian Games.” 
Each year we can add another “sporting event” and build up the games as
a multicultural event, while encouraging students and faculty to
participate in both fun and physical exercise oriented activities.

photos to follow soon…

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