Category Archives: Gung Haggis dragon boat team information

Gung Haggis dragon boat team performs better than expected, coming 2nd and a close 3rd at Taiwanese Dragon Boat races.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team did really well today at the Vancouver Taiwanese Dragon Boat Races, held at Plaza of Nations with the Taiwanese Cultural Festival.

Race 4, aprox. 11am.
Lane – Team
1   Hon's Dragon Bowl   
2   Gung Haggis Fat Choy   
3   ScotiaBank Dragons   
4   Synergy Rice Rockets   
5   Flying Butts  

Ernest Wu is our team captain for these races.  Todd Wong (me) is drummer for our races, Dave Samis is steers, and
Colleen was our flag grabber.  Wendy and Alissa are doing lead stroke.  Hillary and Jane in second seat.  Cindy and Brooke in 3 seat. Rounding out the team is Stephen, Jim, Tony, Jonas, Devon, Sher, Raphael, Stuart, Joe.  Joining us for the day is Judi, Lee (from Sudden Impact Black – who paddled with Dave in Australia last year) + Karl (who is joining us from the Killarney junior team.).

Hon's is a brand new team this year, coached and
drummed by our friend Patrick Couling.  Scotiabank Dragons is a veteran team with lots of experienced paddlers.  Dan Seto paddled with Gung Haggis for 3 years, but he joined Scotiabank this year to push him self more on a competitive team that went to Comp B at the Rio Tinto Alcan dragon boat festival this year.  I know lots of other paddlers on the team such as Elias whom I paddled with in 2001 on the GM team, steers William whom I coached in 2001 for the Civil Serpents team, Connie whom I sometimes work with at the Vancouver Public Library and got to know on the strike line last fall.

For the Taiwanese dragon boat races.  You have to grab the flag before you cross the finish line.  Dragon Boat racing has its origins in  ancient China, in 299 BC, long before there were stop watches.  The early race winners were determined by which team grabbed a flag first.  On our modern day race course in Vancouver's False Creek, there is a strong current and the channel is deep, so exact placement of flags is impossible.  For the Vancouver Taiwanese Dragon Boat Races, each team must grab a flag, keep paddling, then cross the finish line, which is approximately at the second set of buoy markers.  The flag can only be grabbed by the designated flag grabber.  If the flag grabber misses the flag, the boat must stop and go back for the flag.  If a paddler grabs the flag, the team can be disqualified. 

As we approached the flag, our designated flag grabber Colleen got ready.  I called a race finish, and Colleen stood up behind the large dragon head that is a feature on these Taiwanese dragon boats.  She guided our steers to the flag by pointing with her outstretched arms.  Dave aimed the dragon boat to the flag.  Colleen is right handed, but instead of bringing the boat to the left of the flag, we were heading to the right side of the flag.  Colleen reached out her left hand and easily grabbed the flag.

Colleen is a rookie dragon boater who joined our team this spring.  She discovered our team through our website www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com when she googled “Vancouver” and “dragon boat”. Her ethnic heritage includes some Scottish ancestry, so she was intrigued.  She was really enjoyed paddling with the team and brought her girlfriend Alissa along with her to our early spring practices in March.  One of Colleen and Alissa's favorite team activities is joining the “Gung Haggis foodie club” after practice and going to replenish carbohydrates at a local restaurant.

Our 2nd place time was about 2:43  –  We had a good start, and quickly
pulled away from Hon's Dragon Bowl beside us.   Their guest steersperson
was Bernie Proetti, who later tshared with me that he had told Hon's that if they beat Gung Haggis,
he would grab my kilt.  Alas… Bernie was actually surprised we pulled
away from them so fast. We came second in our first race at 10am, Scotiabank came first.

12:55 Barrel Race #5.

Soon after 12:55 we did our dragon boat barrel race.  The history of the dragon boat barrel race is recent going back only to 2004.  It was started by the Tacoma Dragon Boat Association on Lake Union in Seattle Washington.  These first races were attended by 6 Gung Haggis paddlers, my girlfriend Deb Martin, coach/steers Bob Brinson, myself, and paddlers Naoko, Nick and Tom

This wekend was the first time
barrel races have been done in Taiwanese boats.  Previous years the smaller teakwood dragon boats were used.  I did some race
commentary telling the spectators about the history of Taiwanese dragon
boats in Vancouver, as I was on the DBA board and race committee when
we launched the inaugural Vancouver International Taiwanese Dragon Boat
Races in 2003.

We saw some teams attempt the clover-leaf turns, based on “barrel race”
format from Western cowboy rodeos.  The idea is to go around three
buoys, in a left turn, right turn, left turn format, then return to the
dock.

These Taiwanese dragon boats are flat bottomed, so they can actually
spin on the surface of the water.  The trick is to turn the boat
around, while keeping a forward momentuum.  Some boats came in tight,
close to the buoy, which made them exit the turn wide.  My choice is to
come in wider, like a skier in slalom gates and cut the exit tighter. 
While the boat is turning, we ask the front inside paddlers to do a 45
degree stroke, along with the back outside paddlers to help facilitate
the turn.  While I felt that the turns weren't tight enough, and our
forward momentuum had pushed us into a bit of boat drift while we
turned.  But several people remarked that we had some nice tight
turns.  I was steersperson for our barrel race, while Dave Samis
steered, and Wendy was our drummer, and Hillary and Colleen did lead
stroke.

Race 9, aprox. 1:55pm
Lane – Team
1   Elephant & Castle Booze Cruise
2   Flying Butts    
3   Superslim Phat Phish Racing Team
4   Gung Haggis Fat Choy
5   Elephant & Castle Booze Cruise

For our second race, at 12:55. we were second seed.  We were lined up on the dock beside Phat Phish
so we were chatting with their paddler Grace, who is a Gung Haggis alumni paddler.  I was also chatting with one of their paddlers Tori, who used to organize her own team.  As I waved to Grace, I told Tori that we have a secret hand wave with Gung Haggis alumni paddlers, and we have been secretly infiltrating Phat Phish.  Tori's curiosity was piqued.  Then Joanne, Phat Phish paddler and wife of their coach Bernie piped in and said “I paddled with Gung Haggis in the first Taiwanese races!”

“Shhhh…. ” I said, “That's secret information.”

Having friends on different dragon boat friends really adds to the social cameraderie of the dragon boat races.  Bernie, Joanne, Tori and myself have known each other since around 2000 or 2001.  I regard Patrick Couling as one of my early dragon boat mentors who I have known since 1997.  James Yu was steers on my first dragon boat team in 1997, and he first taught me to steer in '98.  James is helping out with the water crew for the race organizing and officiating.

On the water, the kibbitzing stopped as the wind made it challenging to line up the boats for the starting position.  The boats are backed into the Pier north of Science World.  The steersperson grabs a rope tether beneath a lane number.  This is supposed to give each team an aproximate but equal position at the start line.  But the wind was pushing all the teams southward.  If the steers is holding the tether, than it anchors them to the dock and the bow of the boat moves South.  The front right side paddlers have to draw to keep the boat lined up straight.  We were trying to do this, while stay ready for the race start.

“Bang!” the airhorn went off.  We took off at the start.  Phat Phish quickly took off from our right (North side), but we were about half a boat length behind
E&C on our South side.  And we gained steadily on them.  It was a tight race.  Would
we make 2nd place again? 

Stuart Mackinnon was our flag grabber, and he did an excellent job. Stuart joined the Gung Haggis team last year.  He loved dragon boating so much he was inspired to start up the Killarney Cougar Dragons, at Killarney Secondary School where he teaches.  As we approached the finish line, Stuart stood up and reached his arm out for the flag.  Dave steered our boat to the left of the flag, right into Stuart's right hand.  The team kept paddling to the finish line.

E&C prevailed to stay in second place.  They have really improved
this year, as they have been doing lots of outrigger paddling. 

 The team is performing so well, they almost don't need coaching.  Everybody is paddling hard and deep, and getting a good reach.

TOMORROW
Our first race is 11am on Sunday….

then we do a fun race at 12 noon Race #19 NOGARD (backward) race lane 5

then we are in the finals….

2:35 Race # 24 Consolation (we won't to be here)
2:55 Race # 25 Group D Medal Final   –  We might be here…
3:15 Race # 26 Group C Medal Final   –   Most likely be here…
3:35 Race # 27 Group B Medal Final   –  We could even be here…
3:55 Race # 28 Group A Medal Final   –   Wow… in our dreams… we aspire to greatness.

You can find our tent by entering the parking lot on the West side of Plaza of Nations…

Walk down to the sea walk.  You will see different small tents by the water…. and big tents set up at Plaza of Nations

We were set up today in the trees straight ahead – south of the porta-potties.

Look for the 4' X 2' sign Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team. Red letters on white sign.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat race times at Taiwanese Cultural Festival

TCF2007 VFK_0457.JPG by vfk. Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat drives the paddles deep in the 2007 Vancouver International Taiwanese Dragon Boat race – photo VFK

Taiwanese Dragon Boats are beautiful.  Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team's first race is 11am.

There is FREE VIEWING of the Race Finish – along the sea walk. East of Plaza of
Nations. Come to Cooper's Park – West of the Cambie St. Bridge.

The Sea Walk is NOT closed. But Plaza of Nations will be gated off.
Taiwanese Cultural Festival http://ww.taiwanfest.ca is about $10-$12 for admission. It has been voted best cultural festival many times.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team is racing:

SATURDAY
11am Race #4 – lane 2

12:55 pm Barrel Race # 5  This is where we take the dragon boat for 3 turns with only 10 paddlers.

1:55 Race #9 if we finish 4th or 2nd
2:35 Race #11 if we finish 1st, 3rd or 5th

SUNDAY – dependant upon our Saturday results. We will telll people at end of Saturday and post on www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com

could be any where from 10am to 11:20 Races 13-17

12 noon Race #19 NOGARD (backward) race lane 5

2:35 Race # 24 Consolation (we don't want to be here)
2:55 Race # 25 Group D Medal Final
3:15 Race # 26 Group C Medal Final
3:35 Race # 27 Group B Medal Final
3:55 Race # 28 Group A Medal Final

3 days until Vancouver Taiwanese Dragon Boat races… Gung Haggis practices in the rain… again…

3 days until Vancouver Taiwanese Dragon Boat races… Gung Haggis practices in the rain… again…

IMG_2727 by you.Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team at last year's Vancouver International Taiwanese Dragon Boat Races. – photo

The Vancouver Taiwanese Dragon Boat Races are one of our team's favorite races.  We have race every year, since the inaugural race in 2003.  It runs in conjunction with the Taiwanese Cultural Festival, which is an amazing festival featuring Taiwanese food, culture, music and arts.  It takes place at Plaza of Nations, August 30, 31 and September 1, over the Labour Day weekend.

We met at Dragon Zone as usual for our Tuesday 6pm practice.  A few paddlers were standing outside when I arrived, but because it was raining – we went inside the trailer / clubhouse.  Inside we found more team mates. 

We did a briefing there… as we waited for latecomers. Many of the new paddlers hadn't been on a Taiwanese boat before, and they had missed our Sunday practice (because of the rain), so this practice was important to help get our paddlers used to the Taiwanese boats.

Then
we went down to the dock at 6:20, and loaded the boat, as another
paddler came running down the walkway at 6:25.  We left Dragon Zone,
and paddled over to the Taiwanese boats at the DBA dock.  then switched
boats…

We paddled over to Science World – north side to simulate a
“tethered race start”, then did a full race piece to Plaza of Nations. 
We
paddled to the Cambie St. Bridge, and avoided the rain for a bit.  We
practiced switching seats.  then we paddled West, and around the
bridge, over to Plaza of Nations.  We came into the little harbour
beside the Logger's dock, and explained the Barrel race scenario.  Then
we practiced the “clover-leaf turns” for the “barrel race”.

TCF2007 VFK_0150.JPG by vfk. Here's a picture from last year's races during the NOGARD, or “backward race.”  The teams have all paddled past the flag, stopped the boats, and the paddlers have all each turned around in the boat, and are paddling forwards – as the boat goes backwards.  It's much harder to grab the flag this way… as the steering oar will jam in the water, as the boat goes backwards… and the boat will not go where you want it to. photo VFK

Despite the rain, we had fun.  The turns take a lot out of you, and our paddlers were tired.  We returned the Taiwanese boat, climbed back into the Gemini, then returned to Dragon Zone.   But, we did another race start and a short race piece back towards Dragon Zone.

We are hoping the weather will be drier on the weekend.  We managed all spring and summer to have very few rainy practices, and now we are getting drenched every time we go out in a boat.

5 days until Vancouver Taiwanese Dragon Boat Races at the Taiwanese Cultural Festival

5 Days until Vancouver Taiwanese Dragon Boat Races


Grab the flag – then cross the finish line.  If you miss the flag – go back…

TUESDAY 6pm  – next practice
We would like all Taiwanese rostered paddlers at practice TUESDAY night (except Tzhe in Hong Kong and Dave). 

All paddlers are welcome… hopefully we will have enough for two boats…or at least 18 paddlers for Taiwanese boat.

SUNDAY REVIEW

We
rented a Taiwanese boat for Sunday's practice… but we almost couldn't
go out because we didn't have enough paddlers show up.

What
if it rains on race day?  Will people show up?  Ernest and I are deeply
worried about the mental resolve of rain-scaredy paddlers!

Brave
souls who showed up were Alissa, Wendy, Brooke, Ernest, Jonas, Stuart,
Steven W, Dave, Devon, Todd and Mary-Lee from G.Force Winds.  Thank
goodness we had the magic number 10 paddlers + steers.

We
paddled a 6-16 over to DBA to pick up a Taiwanese dragon boat.  Big
beautiful decorated boats made of Alaskan cedar.  They sit higher on
the water so we all had longer 48″ paddles (blue). 

It is a
very different kind of boat to paddle.  You have to really reach
forward and down to get your blade in the water, then drive your top
arm to keep the paddle vertical.

We found that the boat “plows”
the water, so we adjusted our starts to 6-18.  Or maybe with only 10
paddlers we didn't have the strength to make it fly.

We
practiced switcheroos, turns and starts.  The Taiwanese boat is much
easier to turn because there is no keel.  But there is also no gunwale
either, so paddlers feel a bit exposed to the elements.  The bottom of
the boat is slanted, so footing is awkward.  Very slippery in a wet
boat.

TAIWANESE ROSTER

9 women paddlers on Saturday  / 10 women on Sunday
11 men paddlers available on both days – (if Karl joins us + 2 more paddlers from Sudden Impact might join us)

Our
roster mixes experience and rookies.  But these rookies have also been
very impressive.  Looks like lots of fun for this coming weekend.

Todd 15 /Tzhe 2 /Dave 6- drum/steers/flag

Alissa 1 – Wendy 3
Jane 3 – Hillary 2
Susan Mott 1 – Colleen
1
Brooke 1 – Cindy 2
Marion 1 – Debbie 4 / Judi 1 (sat only)
Jim 4 – Stephen M. 5
Jonas 3 – Tony 5
Ernest 5 – Devon 1
Raphael 2  – Stuart 1

+ Karl 1 + 2 more paddlers?

False Creek is still stinky, water warning in effect for East Basin – but dragon boat teams losing paddlers to practices

False Creek is still stinky.  Paddlers were not showing up for practices last week or the weekend, as several teams didn't have enough paddlers to go out.
 

Unloading the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat 5 by shamurokku.Lots of dragon boats have been sitting  idle since the second huge outpour of raw sewage through the Terminal St. outflow pipes located underneath the Science World pier.  So far there have been water warnings issued by Coastal Health for recreational boaters on Canada Day and BC Day long weekends.  Would a Labour Day sewage problem force a shut-down of the 6th annual Vancouver Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race? – photo Leanne Riding

Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team still had a great 10am Sunday morning practice  – but because of the confusion about 10am or 1:30pm practice on Sundays…. or because of the water warning still in effect for East Basin –  we only had 10 people show up.
 
Luckily/unluckily, paddlers from the Riptide team didn't have enough people for a practice (you need 10 paddlers + steers), so we invited them to come join us.
 
So… 12 paddlers + steers went out.  We exchanged some stories about dragon boats.  Riptide finished in Rec A at Rio Tinto Alcan, while we made it to Rec C.  They brought some good intensity and enthusiasm to the practice, especially on power pieces.
 
“Freight Train!” they would yell, whenever I called a power series.  We had the Riptide paddlers leading in seats 1 & 2.  They set a good pace, and displayed good technique.  “Rotate Now!” and you could feel the boat surge forward.
 
Our paddlers took up the challenge, as I steered and called “Power Now!” 
 
Our paddlers would call out “Hah!” and count out “2, 4, 6, 8, 10” during the power stroke.
 
We paddled easily past Cambie Street Bridge for a brief rest, then onto David Lam Park, as we did some pyramid pieces, starting at 60% effort, then going 80% and 100% – always focussing on technique.
 
On the way back we did some 4 person seat pulls, and some race pieces.  It was a good work out, and the Riptide paddlers thanked us for inviting them to join us, especially since they are training for the Taiwanese Races.
 
It's always nice to make new dragon boat friends.  This will be the 2nd time Riptide has entered the Vancouver Taiwanese Dragon Boat Race, which I helped to found in 2003.  I gave them some advice about paddling techniques to help make the boats go faster, and they were grateful.
 
The Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team needs to firm up our roster for the Taiwanese dragon Boat Race on August 30/31 – Labour Day weekend.
 
If you want to race Taiwanese – please email me and Ernest Wu

Gung Haggis paddles hard for 2nd place in Mixed C Championships Vernon Dragon Boat Race

Gung Haggis paddles hard for 2nd place in Mixed C Championships Vernon Dragon Boat Race

Gung Haggis group picture - photo Samis by you.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team: front row kneeling – Steven, Jane, Debbie, Todd, Marion, Julie, Tzhe, Stuart, Brooke; standing – Kristine, Pat (host), Jim, Ernest, Dave, Deb (host), Hillary, Wendy, Jonas (back), Ashleigh, Tony, Alissa, Richard (back), Gayle, Mary, Stephen (back), Raphael, Dan.

Winning vs Fun….  Vacation vs Serious Competition.

We put FUN first… and “WINNING at all costs” last, with Haggis somewhere in between…..

Jim Blatherwick and the team - photo Brooke Samis

Jim and Jonas warm up with the team.  Lots of kilts worn by team members Marion, Stuart, Todd, Tzhe and Jim! – photo Brooke Samis

Julie, Ashleigh and Brooke - photo Dave Samis

Drummer Julie, 3 year veteran Ashleigh, rookie initiate Brooke – all happy to be on the team and in Vernon – photo Dave Samis

Gung Haggis passing the swimming dock - photo Brooke Samis by you.

Gung
Haggis team paddling out past the dock, Todd steers dressed in kilt
with Julie as drummer dressed in Hawaiian style grass skirt. Our hosts,
Pat and Bill Martin's waterfront home where many of us stayed and where
we held team bbq Saturday night, is in the background  – photo Brooke
Samis.

We were in C Championship semi-final… on Sunday morning.  We were boat #3.

It was exciting with all the wind swept waves in the tourquoise green waters of Kalamalka  Lake, like paddling in Hawaii.

“Hawaii 5-0 paddling,” I yelled out to the team.  “Lean out, paddle hard – just like outrigger paddling!”  We did a start piece and a power series.  We turned the boat around with our back to the wind to await being called to the start line.

Wind kicked up…. all boats called to start line…  Boat #2 turned sideways and was hit by
a broadside wave, and gently tipped over.  All paddlers in the water….  Chase
boats on scene.  All boats recalled to start line.  Races delayed for
an hour afterwards….

Races started up again at 12 noon, after winds died down.
I steered…  water is still bouncy….  can't hold the boat on
course.  Boat veering right.  Let it run… hold the boat.  Boat beside us narrowly passes us.  Gain control.  Start again… 
We are way behind 3 of the teams, but we still pass a team on far right.  We feel good about our finish, we recovered well.  I feel I made the right corrections for controlling these keel-less Dynasty boats from Calgary.  Despite the steering mishap, our time was a decent 2:45.25.  We are set for the next race.


Gung Haggis team recovers from steering mishap.  Todd is steering as the boat bounces across the tops of wave swells.  Drummer Julie gives the team directions to keep them going. – photo courtesy of  Ben Lee.

C Finals – we are boat #2 in Lane 1. (all teams are moved one lane over.)
Water not as bouncy.  We know we can do well.
good start.  Neck and neck with lane boat #3 in lane 2.  They are the
Red Hot Chili Peppers from Kelowna.  I know the drummer and steers from
the inaugural  Vernon races in 2005.

Still neck and neck…  Julie called a power series, and we moved up a
seat, just passing the team on our right.  Were we first? or second
now?  There was another team in the middle lane. I called a finish, and
the team dug deeper.  We called out our favorite cue word, “More, More
More” – inspiring us to reach more, dig deep more, give more power.  It
was close.   We crossed the finish line.  We we 1st?  Were we 2nd? 
Were we 3rd?

We headed to the beach.  We talked to our team mates who didn't paddle – but watched the race, and our friends. 
“2nd… unofficially,” they told us.  Team Rift Raft was 1st… but we were gaining on them… another 50 m, and we would have had them.

A good hard race.  The boat stayed straight.  We powered hard.  Our paddles were deep.  We got 2nd place in the C Championship with a time of 2:28.29, just 2.1 seconds behind the first place of 2:26.19 by Rift Raft.  Yay!

We were signed up for the 3rd annual demonstration water-ski pull.  The team that pulls a water skier up for the longest time… wins registration for next year's Greater Vernon Dragon Boat Race.  2 years ago, none of the successfully teams managed to pull their water skier – but our skier (Ashleigh) popped up the fastest before she lost control.  Last year we tried again, but no pop up for Ashleigh.

This year, the winds picked up again soon after the finish of the Mixed Adult A Championship.  We were standing in line, waiting for the water-ski pull meeting, when white cap waves accompanied gusty southerly winds.  The water ski pull was soon canceled.

We headed to the beer gardens for the medal ceremony.  The women's races were announced first.  Unfortunately, the C Finals didn't have medals, as race organizer Shawn Samol explained this would be rectified for next year.  B Finals and A Finals were next announced.  The Extreme Currents women's team from Kamloops were the top women's team for the 4th year in a row.  Mana Wahine, a 2 year old women's team from Chilliwack came 2nd.

Next the C Championships were being announced.  Several of our team members moved closer to the stage, as we were ready to accept our medals.  We made sure everybody wearing a kilt was there.  Shawn Samol again explained that they didn't have medals for the C Finals and that it would be rectified for next year.  They did announce the winners.  3rd was Red Hot Chili Paddlers from Kelowna who were DQ.  2nd was Gung Haggis Fat Choy.  1st was Team Rift Raft.

Mixed B Finals were won by Calgary Racing Club, Fluid Motion was 2nd, with SDR – Shaggin' Dragons Reloaded coming 3rd.

The A Finals were very exciting and very close.  Sudden Impact Black came first by a micro-second of  2:09.47 vs. 2:09.61 for Pacific Reach 2 (winners for previous 3 years in Vernon).  Extreme Currents from Kamloops beat out Topmade Fusion with a time of 2:14.50 vs 2:14.88

Gung Haggis paddlers all had lots of fun.  That's what counts.  We paddled 3 races + the 1000m demonstration race where we came first after passing 3 teams.  Today we were on the water 3 times, where our 1st race was cancelled because of high winds, after a team tipped into the water after being hit broadside by a wave.  Our 2nd race where I lost control of the boat in windy conditions that made it hard steering with the waves, but regained control for a good finish… and our 3rd race where we went neck and neck to the finish line with Red Hot Chili Paddlers on our right, passing them but coming a very close 2nd place to the boat in lane 4.

Gung Haggis dragon boat team practice review for July 13

Gung Haggis dragon boat team practices race turns in bay beside David Lam Park.

DSC_8142
Here's a picture of Gung Haggis dragon boat team racing in the Rec C medal Final at the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival in June. – photo Ray Shum

It sure is nice not to have the water coliform bacteria warning for the East Basin of False Creek.  We can take so much for granted in our beautiful city, that unfortunately occasionally lets raw sewage empty into False Creek.  It's a wonder that False Creek has been the model for new city development in Dubai.

But paddling out by David Lam Park on Sunday was really beautiful.  There were people walking on the sea walk.  And when are dragon boats arrived, we provided a spectator sport for them, as we practiced some race starts, then created a mini-Guts & Glory “twice around an oval” race, as we started from one end of the bay to the other.


We had taken out two Gemini boats on Sunday, roughly Vernon roster vs non-Vernon roster with 12 paddlers in each boat.  We paddled straight to Cambie Street Bridge where we traded one paddler to even out the boats, then paddled a mini race along the North Shoreline of False Creek to David Lam Park. 
It was good to see the
competitiveness come out between the two boats as they paddled side by
side.



Highlight of the practice was doing a mini-Guts & Glory Race.
probably about 700 to 800m total, at the David Lam Park Bay….  in
anticipation of the 1000m mini G&G in Vernon.


We started beside the sculpture, then raced towards the orange marker
for the first turn, back around the sculpture, and a final turn at the
orange marker, then back to the sculpture to complete the race.



First boat time 5:04 


second boat time 5:19


LOTS of FUN!!!!


PRACTICE TONIGHT!!!

6pm practice tonight…
It's going to be another beautiful sunny evening…


Expect another straight-ahead paddle out to David Lam Park where we will do some technique work.


It's also Stuart Mackinnon's birthday eve…

So Stuart's choice for Gung Haggis foodie club after practice.




Coliform Count warning in False Creek East Basin… but we paddle anyways on Sunday

Gung Haggis dragon boat team braved the high coliform count in False Creek East Basin and paddled anyways.

Today's dragon boat practice was different.  There was an nervous tension about paddling on the water this weekend.

The beaches are closed when the coliform bacteria count is 200 per 100mls of water.  The coliform bacteria count for False Creek East basin hit 2900 for 100 mls of water.  This is insanely high.  According to the June 30th report, the count for Sunset Beach was 118, Kitsilano Beach 59 and Locarno was 25. 2900 is extreme!  Apparently, the central and western basins of False Creek hit coliform counts of
500 and 300 respectively. 

Last Wednesday evening, we saw people swimming in the water off
the houseboats at Granville Island.  Personally, I wouldn't swim in
False Creek.  The water is pretty stagnant especially in the East Basin.

The Vancouver Coastal Heath Authority posted a warning:

RECREATIONAL WATER QUALITY ADVISORY

Due to elevated coliform
counts in the East Basin of False Creek, the Medical Health Officer is
advising recreational users of this water body to refrain from doing so
until further notice.  Kayakers, rowers, dragon-boaters and other users
of East False Creek (east of Cambie Bridge) are encouraged to utilize
the Central and West basins of False Creek.   

If users insist
on using the East Basin, they should take extra precautions to prevent
ingestion (swallowing) or inhalation of water droplets, or submersion
into False Creek water.  Should an accidental exposure occur, shower
off with clean water and wash hands thoroughly after leaving the boat
or water.

The sources of the accidental sewage contamination
have been discovered and rectified as of 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 4th 
 We expect to see improving results as early as next week and will lift
the advisory as soon as the coliform counts return to acceptable
levels.  Visit http://www.vch.ca/environmental/ for updates on July 7th.

The Vancouver Sun and other media have been posting stories about the high coliform bacteria count in the East Basin of False Creek.

False Creek coliform count soars

5 Jul 2008
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www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=a82d460d-ec35-4f95-b49f-6c3c6d3ae968 – 71k – 

Coliform warning for False Creek

4 Jul 2008
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www.canada.com/globaltv/bc/story.html?id=e9af37d5-4a90-466a-97fa-3cd545abc5a0 – 46k –
=

False Creek sewage leak may take several days to clear up

6 Jul 2008 … Municipal engineers have found the source of contamination that has spiked coliformFalse Creek, but it may be several  www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/07/06/bc-false-creek-sewer-blocked.html –

There was a Water Safety notice posted on the Clubhouse + the dock entrance. 
The warning was for recreational activity in the EAST BASIN – East of Cambie Bridge.  West and Central Basin were fine.

Dragon Zone sent out a warning to dragon boat members that “if you do still choose to practice please exercise caution. Avoid
splashing. Wear sunglasses or other protective eyewear to avoid water
coming in contact with your eyes. Wash all exposed skin immediately
after paddling.”

Some people didn't want to do go out on the water… But we all discussed the coliform issue.

We had an ex-Van City engineering dept guy who didn't paddle… but a recently retired GVRD Annacis Island Sewage Plant Manager and a son of retired chief medical officer who did.  We expected these veteran paddlers to know what the numbers really meant. 

We discussed the water situation for 10 minutes.  We recognized that the water situation has had coliform count warnings
in past years, and that this was different because it appeared that 3
sewage pipes were involved.  But we figured that as long as the water stayed out of the boat, out of our eyes and mouths… and we stayed out of the water – we would be fine.

The water did seem cleaner and clearer than when red tide was active, but this is NOT an indicator of coliform account. 

We did a 45 minute session on mental training (eg. imagery, cue words, positive thinking, mental preparation, team cohesion).

We then went for a 70 minute session of paddling to Burrard Bridge and back.

6 paddlers chose not to paddle.
12 paddlers chose to paddle – including 2 first timers, 1 second timer,  1 6th timer.
other paddlers chose to take the Sunday off…

We minimized splashing in the East Basin, and focused on long slow
distance paddling.  Coliform count is expected to diminish early next
week.

We all went for gelato after practice at Mario's Gelato.  I brought out my Wet Wipes from my car, and passed them around for everybody.

Cheers, Todd

Great Action photos of Gung Haggis dragon boat team in action!

Great Action shots of Gung Haggis dragon boat team by Ray Shum of Tempest Photo.

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Drummer Keng Graal urges on the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team in the Rec C Championships. Keng brings so much passion and
enthusiasm to the team. You'd never know that off the boat she is a
60ish Biology instructor at Columbia College.
– photo courtesy Ray Shum

A great way for improvement is watching yourself and your team in photos and video.  We were fortunate that Ray Shum took some great pictures of the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team on the weekend at the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival

Ray Shum loves dragon boats, and taking pictures of them in action.  He used to paddle on VO2 Max, and I can proudly say I taught him to be a paddle slut in 2002, when we hopped in a car and drove down to Kent WA for races.  We found two teams needing paddlers, and we both came home with medals and great new friends.  I paddled for Gold with Tacoma DBA in the top division, the Ray paddled for Silver with Portland's Multnohmah Canoe Club.

Check out Ray's website Tempest Photo

Check out his other great dragon boat photos from the 2008 Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival at:
http://www.bcphotoforum.com/tempest/062208_rtadbf_D300_1/

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Here's a great shot of Gung Haggis team at the start.  YOu can see the boat starting to plane, as we move into our faster “up” strokes.  Our drummer Keng used to drum for CC Riders, but she has paddling with us since summer '05, now she is back on the drummer seat.  Our lead right stroke is Gayle, a dragon boat veteran of 17 years.  This is her first year with Gung Haggis.  We love her, and have nicknamed her “The Goddess.”  Hillary is in 2nd right seat.  Last year was her rookie year and she has greatly improved  this year – just look at her muscles!

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I LOVE this picture of Gung Haggis in the middle of the race.  You can see the rotation and the reach… varying heights and athletic
abilities… but everybody moving together and learning slightly
forward to plant the paddle.  You can just “feel the power” as they are
about to finish the reach, enter and PULL!

We've worked hard to improve our timing, and merge different paddling styles together.  For this Rec C Championship race, only four of our right side paddlers were on the team last year, Hillary (2), Stephen M (4), Jim (5) and Steven (7) and four on the left.  Colleen (3) and Marion (10) are rookies, while Gayle (1), Tony (6), Richard (8) and Paulette (9) are veterans who joined us from other teams.

Some of our regular paddlers decided to opt out of Alcan, but we talked them back into it when some other teams needed help.  We loaned Jonas to GVRD who raced against us to come 2nd and win a silver medal.  Wendy, Ashleigh and Leanne paddled on G.Force Winds in the Women's division, coached and organized by our lead stroke Gayle.

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It's tradition, our steersman always wears a kilt!  Rory Dunn is another of the veteran dragon boaters who joined our team from the CC Dragons.  I've known Rory and the group for many years, and it was great to have them bring their experience to our team.  This weekend was the first time Rory had ever worn a kilt before, and he enjoyed it immensely.  He even put up with the female paddlers trying to lift his kilt with their paddles. 

Next up, we will have to get a snazzy stitched logo to sew onto the backs of our Personal Floatation Devices (PFD's), just like the GVRD 44 Cheeks team beside us.  Interesting note, I used to coach GVRD in 2003 and 2004.  Their drummer/coach is my good friend James who was my steering mentor on my first dragon boat team The Headliners back from 1993-95.

Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival and Todd Wong on Novus TV

There were lots of media camera crews at the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival last weekend in Vancouver, June 21st & 22nd.

Heather Bissonette was there from Novus TV, which broadcasts in Yaletown, False Creek and Burnaby.  I first met her a few years ago through Ricepaper Magazine.  She came to volunteer for the 2006 Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner event…

She went to BCIT school of broadcast journalism.  And we have re-connected.

Heather interviewed me about dragon boats, and the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team… and why we wear kilts!

Check out this yout tube video from Novus TV