DRAGON BOAT INTERNATIONAL
The Newsletter of the International Dragon Boat Federation The World Governing Body of Dragon Boat Sport - Member of SportAccord
Cover Photograph – Reuters July 2011 – Summer Edition Issue Number 26.
This issue; Royal Dragon Boat Dash; A Look at IDBF Affiliate Festivals; Para Dragons; Members News:
A L Dragon Boating. “More than a – A Tradition “ Sport www.idbf.org 1. Dragon Boating: More Than a Sport – A Tradition
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
LOOK AT THREE GENERATIONS OF THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY “AND THEIR DRAGON BOAT CONNECTIONS”
Photos: Reuters & Arthur Edwards. Photo: Paul Grover
Dalvay Lake, on the way to the Start Line. An early picture of Prince William in his Eton College days when he raced Dragon Boats in the annual Inter-House Boat Races and Kate Middleton, as she then was in 2007, practising her Helming skills in preparation for crossing the English Channel in a Dragon Boat Race for Charity. Kate did not make the actual crossing because her courtship with Wills was back on and Clarence House was concerned about the excessive publicity.
June 1988, Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Prince William‟s Great Grandmother, names a Dragon Boat in London‟s Docklands. the „Bowes Lyon‟, her Family Name before she married King George VI, lately played by Colin Firth in the award winning movie „The Kings Speech‟. (Helen Bonan-Carter, played the part of Elizabeth, who died in 1992, at the age of 102. 1 In 1987 Prince Charles (William‟s Father) started a Charity Dragon Boat Race in Shadwell 2 Basin, London, where Mike Thomas, Chairman of the IDBF Competition & Technical Commission, runs a Community Centre. Ten years later, in Febuary 1997, Mike made sure that Prince Charles at least sat in a Dragon Boat this time, during a return visit to Mike‟s centre, as part of the Prince‟s visit to the local Bangladesh community in Tower Hamlets, East London. .
www.idbf.org
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 2.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR – A ROYAL COUPLE RACE THE DRAGON ! EDITORIAL by Mike Haslam. WELCOME as always to Dragon Boat International, the IDBF Newsletter. Without doubt the highlight of our year Away from the Royal Dragon Boat Dash, the Sport under the has been two Dragon Boat crews racing„ governance of the IDBF continues to develop across the World, head to head‟ but with two very, very with both Mauritius and Nigeria from Africa, joining us in recent important people in them. months and applications pending from Brunei, Guyana in the I refer of course to Prince William, the Caribbean and both Tunisia and Israel, where Dragon Boat Israel Duke of Cambridge and his new will hold its first Dragon Boat Festival in 2012. bride, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge IDBF Membership now stands at 70 Countries and Territories The race took place in Canada on 4 July on five Continents, with a further 10 Countries known to be on Dalvay Lake, Prince Edward Island, when the most famous interested in the Sport and looking to join the IDBF. „Dragon Boaters‟ in the world, affectionately know by all, as With Senegal holding its first race in February, on receiving its Wills and Kate, joined paddlers from Dragon Boat Canada, in IDBF Development Boats and more Development Boats on their a race off requested by them for their tour of Canada. way to both Ghana and Uganda, Dragon Boating is on the move ! With the world‟s media covering the event and wall to wall With the season well under way, in this issue of DBI we take a newspaper pictures and TV videos galore, beamed around look at three of our IDBF Affiliate Festivals, in Istanbul, Macau the globe, the Royal Couple, show-cased our Sport, as never and Hong Kong, as well as a peek at the Canadian National before in a Royal Dash over 185m. So a big, big thank you to Championships, held in Welland, Niagara, a candidate location Wills and Kate for demonstrating our Sport in such a positive for the 2015 World Championships, which are also being bid for and memorable way and enjoying it too, as the pictures and by the Hungarian Dragon Boat Federation. A decision on who article in this issue of DBI show ! gets this will be made by the IDBF Members Congress in Tampa.
th nd th ALL READY FOR THE 10 “WORLD NATIONS CHAMPS” – TAMPA, USA: 2 – 7 August 2011 th The 10 International Dragon Boat Federation‟s (IDBF) And there‟s a great entertainment programme planned for for the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships (WDBRC) gets week too, starting with the World BowlingTournament running underway in Tampa, Florida, USA, from the 2-7 August 2011. every night from Monday to Saturday. Preceded by the 1st Pan American Club Crew Championships Then on Tuesday evening there is (PACCC) on 30th and 31st July and followed by the IDBF the World‟s Opening Ceremony at Members Congress on the 8th August 2011, there will be the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, plenty to see and do in Tampa Bay during week, including followed on Wednesday by a live night time entertainment and celebration all week long ! band and Rock Star Karaoke to rock the night away with in the Despite the economic situation around the world, which has Channelside Courtyard. resulted in over a dozen Countries having to withdraw due to financial difficulties from the „World Nations,‟ as the WDBRC Thursday will see Rock the World are known, nearly 2000 participants, from 17 Countries and a free Concert taking place in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Territories, are still expected to challenge for World Medals don‟t forget the Bowling Tournament which you can enter every during the five days of Championship Racing. night or just one night during the week. The Tampa 2011 Org Com have been working around the Then on Sunday evening the Championships week will end with clock to create the most enjoyable and memorable experience the Celebration Dinner, in the Tampa Convention Centre, tickets for all of the athletes and supporters, with accommodation include food, drink and entertainment, followed by the Champs reserved in some of the best Hotels in town, those near to the After Party at the Channelbay Plaze, with a complimentary drink Tampa Convention Centre, where the Athlete‟s Village is for Paddlers, Supporters, Officials and Guests, where the live situated, including the Westin Harbour Island, the only hotel music will keep everyone celebrating until mid night! that has views of the entire race course from its rooms. But But that‟s not all, from the mouth-watering restaurants to the not only do the rooms overlook the race course, but so does incredible entertainment and sun kissed beaches, there‟s no the POOL! better way to experience Florida. More information is available from - www.visittampabay.com
Comment, articles and pictures to: The Editor: 44 Bassaleg Road, Newport, South Wales NP20 3EA. UK Tel: + 44 (0) 1633 256796. Fax: + 44 (0) 1633 666796. Email: [email protected]
© IDBF Copyright 2011. Articles published in this Newsletter are not necessarily the views of the IDBF Council or the Elected Officers of the IDBF. This Newsletter may be reproduced in full or in part provided always that the source is acknowledged as the IDBF Newsletter. Established in 1991, the IDBF is recognised by SportAccord (formerly the General Association of International Sports Federations) as the world governing body for Dragon boating and the sport of Dragon Boat Racing. IDBF Secretariat- c/o CDBA No 9 Tiyuguan Road, Beijing 100763, PR China. Tel + 86 10 6712 8832. Fax: + 86 (0) 10 6713 3577 or contact the IDBF Executive President Tel: + 44 1633 666796 or Email [email protected]. www.idbf.org and www.idbfworldchamps.com.
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 3.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
PATRONS‟ and PARTNERS‟ – PEOPLE & BUSINESSES SUPPORTING OUR SPORT SIGN UP FOR THE IDBF PATRONS‟ CLUB ! - THE IDBF PATRONS CLUB – The IDBF Patrons‟ Club is open to people who wish to support Dragon Boating, through the IDBF, by raising money specifically to help new and Benefits of Membership developing Countries enter the Sport and take part in IDBF sanctioned Being an IDBF Patron makes you a Very Im- International competitions. portant Person in helping to develop Dragon Boating in new countries and helping their All surplus funds from Membership or sponsors, after the deduction of paddlers to take part in IDBF World Champion- running costs, will go to the IDBF Development Fund specifically for the ship Regattas. provision of Dragon Boats and Equipment. Members receive multiple worthwhile The annual individual membership fee for the IDBF Patrons Club is just benefits including: USD 49.00 per person (Euro 35 or £30.00 Sterling) and this year Patrons‟ Club Members have helped to pay the shipping costs of Development - A hard copy of each IDBF-Newsletter Boats destined for Ghana, Senegal and Uganda. published each year and mailed di- rectly to you. IDBF PARTNERSHIPS FOR EQUIPMENT PROVIDERS This year the IDBF has invited all its Licensed Dragon Boat and Paddle - Free accreditation (IDBF Registration) Manufacturers‟ to become IDBF Partners and be involved in the Sport‟s at IDBF World Championships development in a more direct and positive way, through increased financial - VIP Status & treatment at IDBF World support and the donation equipment to the IDBF Development Pool. Championships All IDBF Registered Equipment Providers will still be required to pay their - Discounts offered on services by or Annual Licence Fees and mark their boats and paddles with the appropriate Boat Licence Plate (Models 1222 or 912) and Paddle Mark (202a) but to be through the IDBF an IDBF Partner , means a much bigger commitment to the Sport. - A Certificate of Patronage There are four tiers of IDBF Partnership, Bronze, Silver, Gold and the top JOIN NOW, SUPPORT YOUR SPORT tier of partnership the Platinum Partner. Partners‟ receive PR benefits and promotion for their products to acknowledge their commitment to the Sport. Further detail and Membership Application Equipment Providers interested in becoming an IDBF Partner should form can be obtained from the IDBF contact the IDBF Executive President – email [email protected] Treasurer: Mr David Cogswell, 13 The Prebend, North End, Southam, CV47 2TR, England. UK Email: [email protected] Fax: + 44 1295 770734 or online from: http://www.idbf.org/patronsclup.php
“Dragons to Africa” The first IDBF Development Boats are raced in Senegal, West Africa, to start Dragon Boating there.
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 4.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
THE ROYAL DASH – 185m. PRINCE WILLIAM‟S CREW WINS BY A DRAGONS HEAD ! Photographs: Reuters, Arthur Edwards, Press Association The most famous Dragon Boaters in the world, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and his Wife, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge or just „Wills and Kate‟ as the world‟s media knows them, showed their paddling skills, when th they took part in a two boat race, on the 4 July 11, during their Tour of Canada. The Royal couple were joined in their boats by members of Dragon Boat Canada‟s National Team; local sports men and women and personalities from the Prince Edwards Island community, including the Province‟s Premier, Robert Ghiz and his Wife, also named Kate. Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, looked much more relaxed as she started to paddle with her crew, after having first tried Helming the boat on the way from the loading area to the Start Line but Wills looked a little more apprehensive as he practised his paddling style before the race. With IDBF Executive President, Mike Haslam starting the race and with Steve Gallant and Albert McDonald, the Race Organisers, from Dragonboat East, Nova Scotia, Helming, the Royal Dash of 185m, was under the control of IDBF officials, from Start to Finish! – Stephen having just passed his IDBF Race Officials assessment during the DBC National Champs in Welland, Niagara, a couple of days earlier. In a close race, held on Dalvay Lake, Prince William‟s crew crossed the Finish Line first, by a Dragons‟ Head and Kate‟s crew had to settle for second place. A consolation hug from Wills was graciously accepted by Kate before a victory bottle of „Champers‟ was handed to the Prince, who laughing said “there is no chivalry in sport” !
So what was said pre-race between the Royal Dragon Boaters and their Crews ? Well talk in the boats‟ remains in the boats‟ as neither Wills or Kate would want to give their race tactical plans away but prior to embarking the first question asked of Wills by Crew Manager Albert McDonald was had the Prince Helmed a Dragon Boat before ? The reply “No but I am willing to give it a try”. Albert, forever the diplomat, advised Wills that he also had the choice to Drum or Paddle. The Prince grasped the moment and said that he would love to paddle and so the change from Helm to Paddler was made and quick as a flash Wills told Kate he was going to paddle, much to Kate‟s surprise, as the official press releases had said quite definitely that the both Wills and Kate would be Helming the boats and that had been the talk of the media in the build up to the race ! Now she faced that daunting task alone !!
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 5.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
With William now paddling, his Crew embarked first and whilst waiting with her own Crew, Kate turned to the Race Starter, Mike Haslam, the IDBF Executive President and said “ I suppose you have done this many times” Yes, was the reply, to which Kate asked, “Do Helms fall off the back of the boats”. Rarely was the answer, but it can happen ! Continuing the conversation, Kate confessed that she was a little nervous about the whole idea, as her Helming experience was limited and not under race conditions or in squally weather, as had by now developed on the Lake. Despite this Kate checked on how to correct the boat‟s movement. In reassuring her, Mike told her not to worry as Plan B was to let the paddlers take over, if the conditions on the Lake were too bad for her. So Kate gave it a go - Helming to the Start Line, where she handed over to Steve Gallant and took on Wills as a paddler, in their Royal „head to head‟ race; much to the delight of the watching crowd and the world media pack, who were beaming pictures and videos of the „Royal Dragon Boat Dash‟, around the globe.
You can watch the video at http://video.stv.tv/bc/ITN_040711_worlddragonrace/
Boat 1 Crew: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (Wills) .Luke Gallant (Drummer) Albert McDonald (Helm): Dr Kate Ellis (Premier‟s Wife); Andrea Joy; Sue Sliming; Tim Schaus; David Gallant; Jan Oakley; Sean Gibson; Barry Ring; Jack McDonald; Mark Flood; Kara Grant; Molly Gotell, Matt Caseley; Darren Lundrigan; Jared Connaughton, Stephen Pulia: Jillian Durant.
Boat 2 Crew: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge (Kate). Andrew Gallant (Drummer) Stephen Gallant (Helm) Anne Gallant; Premier Robert Ghiz; Judy McDonald; Kirk Poulos; Anne Baert; Brian Melanson; Max Tracy; Bruce Chaisson; Bruce Oakley; Jessica Vanoeweekirk; Adam MacQuaid; Laura MacPherson; Oliva Richardson; Lisa Moerike; Chad MacQuoid; Spencer Smith; Maggie Wright. Unfortunately, at the time of going to Press the „official‟ photograph of Catherine and Crew 2 was not available.
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 6.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
ONE TEAM‟S JOURNEY TO THE WORLDS - TAMPA 2011 - Tampa, Florida, USA, 3-7 August 2011. The Trinidad and Tobago Dragon Boat Federation, a non-profit organization, located in Chaguaramas , Trinidad, has undertaken the enormous task of sending a national contingent consisting of 84 athletes to represent the country at the 10th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Tampa, Florida. Dragon Boat Racing has spread like wildfire, propelled by the immense enthusiasm and support from the dragon boating community in Trinidad and Tobago. The program, under the direction of Shallona Shallowe, National Team Leader stated that “the sport of dragon boat racing like many other sports has that universal appeal, the drive to succeed, sheer passion and commitment.” The Journey to the Worlds initiative, as it is called, truly takes a grassroots philosophy, which seeks to develop and improve the performance of the athletes, coaches, managers and other volunteers of the program. In November 2010, approximately 200 athletes, paddlers and non paddlers were called to try out for this program. It was astonishing even at its initial stages of the „fighting‟ spirit of the athletes, in order to qualify for the next round of trials. This was an amazing experience for the paddlers, one young man stated, “ I just want to make it, I never left my country to go anywhere ……I love dragon boating.” The Journey to the Worlds Program is a living testimony of the power of sport. The integrative nature of the sport propels ordinary people to do extraordinary things, bringing together of communities, breaking down of social and class barriers…..all to the beat of ONE DRUM! This volunteer driven program has taken the hearts of many with a stronghold of over 100 volunteers. “There is no way that the program would have reached this far without the assistance of our sport volunteers, both foreign and local who have given their time and technical expertise in areas such as administration, officiating, coaching and manage ment.” said Shallona. The challenges have been insurmountable; however the Trinidad and Tobago Dragon Boat Federation continues to press forward as they prepare for the ultimate dragon boat experience.
FAILTE IRELAND!
The Irish Dragon Boat Association (All Ireland DBA) which was initially founded in 2005, in name only, was formally launched in Dublin in October 2010 in conjunction with the launch of Plurabelle Paddlers – Ireland‟s first Breast Cancer Survivor crew.
Mike Haslam, IDBF Executive President was in attendance along with Angelina Ong who came all the way from Singapore for the occasion. The Association‟s mission is for dragon boating now to become a mass participation sport throughout the whole 32 counties of Ireland.
Plurabelle Paddlers have funded and bought two brand new dragon boats which are now located in Grand Canal Dock in Dublin. Primarily Plurabelle Paddlers had been set up for women recovering from breast cancer, but interest in the club is growing rapidly.
These very inspirational women “are loving” this new sport to Ireland and are regularly getting two dragon boats out for training sessions. The first batch of helms have been trained and qualified under the IDBA banner with more courses lined up. In the North, the Lagen Watersports Centre, near Belfast, has purchased 3 new Buk boats.
For the future, the IDBA in conjunction with Plurabelle Paddlers hope to start a schools programme across Dublin and surrounding counties to educate youngsters about cancer followed by a dragon boat workshop.
Presently discussion with the organisers of the World Police and Firemen‟s Games to run dragon boating at the Belfast Games in 2013 but this year following the Barrow Dragon Boat Regatta on 19th June 2011, the big event of the year will be the Dublin th th Dragon Boat Regatta on 10 /11 September 2011, which will be open to domestic and international crews.
As always dragon boating is very much a minority sport, we still have a lot of work to do on practically a non existent budget, but we are working hard at it and the IDBA has set up its facebook account – Pay a visit to Irish Dragon Boat Association and give us a „Like‟.
As the locals say “Dragon boating is……. having the craic!” Julie Doyle – Chairman , Irish DBA.
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 7.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
COME RACE THE DRAGON IN SENEGAL! Ye ksil ak diam si Senegal! (Welcome to Senegal!) in Wolof, the native tongue of this previously French colony located on the west coast of Africa. Having answered an email looking for volunteer IDBF officials to go to Senegal, I found myself heading to this exciting new dragon boat location wondering what to expect. The Senegal International Regatt was to be held in the small fishing village of M‟Bao and although our arrival was in the dark, we could see that this small village was in fact a large rambling town some 21kms outside of Dakar. Perhaps somewhat of a culture shock to the European, M‟Bao is still very much in a stage of development. All homes appeared to have electricity, sewerage and cold running water, be it intermittent, and surprisingly nearly everyone had a mobile phone! Unfortunately though, this beautiful location with perfect climate is heavily polluted by human misuse and house-hold trash. By bringing an international dragon boat regatta to this area of Senegal the aim of the organisers, Dragon Boat & Kayak Sans Frontieres (DBKSF) was to clean up, reforest and protect the M‟Bao river estuary that passes through the village and to generate funds to help limit the destruction of the river. The aim of DBKSF is to support environmental projects and exchanges of cultures, whilst also developing equal opportunities in sport by introducing paddle sports to new areas of the world, in this case dragon boats with mixed crews racing. This was something of a new concept in the fishing community of M‟boa where, courtesy of the IDBF Development Fund, Senegal had just received three IDBF Standard Racing Dragon Boats, donated by Swift Racing, of China, an IDBF Partner. So to the racing…. the course set up on the sea was just a perfect setting for Senegal‟s first ever dragon boat regatta. With training taking place all week for the locals, the regatta officially opened on Friday afternoon with the usual Eye Dotting Ceremony and traditional Senegalese music and dance attended by all the local dignitaries including our IDBF Executive President, Mike Haslam and the Leader of the Senegal Parliament and the Chinese Ambassador based in Dakar. Saturday was the main racing day, with three teams from Annecy in France taking on the challenge of three local teams over distances of 2000m and 200m. Races were conducted in both the Dragon Boats and the Pirogue, a traditional Senegalese fishing boat, similar in size and shape to a Dragon Boat with a crew of 10 and 25 paddlers, depending on the type of Pirogue that is raced.. The Pirogue already form an integral part of the local culture and like a dragon boat they are traditionally made of solid hard wood. Chants are used to set up a rhythm to which the crew paddles in time to. The boats traditionally are only raced by men and have been used for centuries for inter-village races. Having managed to get a go in one of these boats, it is very difficult to paddle hard and chant at the same time !!. Team Annecy won both the 2000m racing and literally by a dragon breathe won the Pirogue race, but with true determination the local team Kani Gui, M‟Boa, took the honours in the 200m final, with a good time on the Sea of 1.00.70, the fastest of the day. My lasting memories of this new dragon boat location ? The friendliness and hospitality shown by the local people. The horrors of what plastic can do to our environment when it is not disposed of correctly and that the rest of us need to watch out ! These guys have a natural ability when it comes to paddling, so it won‟t be long before we will see Senegal medalling at championships. Julie Doyle.
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 8.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH - ADAPTIVE PARA DRAGONS IN HONG KONG From Tradition to Modern Dragon Boating – by Dr. Raymond Ma Dragon Boating, a Chinese traditional ritual, a game, a sport, a realization of strength and team spirit, requiring tremendous power of hands and legs; Yes, we would all agree, but maybe not the last phrase.
Adaptive Paddling or Para Dragon Boating in modern Dragon Boat Sport, began to take off when the IDBF appointed Dr. Raymond Ma, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association (HKDBA) to be the Chair of the IDBF‟s new Adaptive Paddling (Para Dragon) Committee, in early 2010.
A joint meeting with other Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) was later held in April 2010 where an initial plan was drawn up. However, with no funding or resources the spark that had been ignited did not grow as Raymond would have wished.
In Feb 2011, Para Dragon Boating went to its second development phase when a formal committee was set up as a sub-committee of the Hong Kong DBA. With the appointment of Dr. James Lam as the Honorary Advisor in Para Dragon Boating and Ms. Fay HO as the sub-committee Chairman, Para Dragon Boating finally went live with the immediate task to explore the practicability of developing Para Dragon Crews in Hong Kong.
The path has not been easy to walk. With disabilities of all sorts, progress has relied on frank, unbiased and open discussions to try and understand people‟s limitations and to overcome any difficulties. Numerous phone calls, emails and other correspondence, on the main point of getting the physical disabled paddlers stepping from shore and onto the floating pontoons and then to the Dragon Boats, occupied many nights of discussion.
The first participants in the Dragon Boating for the Disabled or Adaptive Paddlers (a formal name for Para Dragon Boaters was not a name known to most of the people in Hong Kong at that time) were the Hand-in-hand Divers whose members are more adaptive to water sports.
The first International Para Dragon Boat Race was held on 17 Jun 2011, as part of the world famous Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races. Eight local Hong Kong Para Dragon Boat Crews and one Guest Crew from Jiangmen, in Guangdong Province, Mainland China joined the race.
One of the Jiangmen Crew was amazingly using a „rod‟ to walk, he didn‟t even have a crutch! Jianmen won the race, with a visually impaired Crew from Hong Kong, who listened to the command of their Boat Captain calling out “paddle and paddle, and paddle, taking second place. In third place was a hearing impaired Crew, who whilst they did not hear the drum beat could pick up the vibration of the drum-stick hitting on the side of the boat, with each set of paddlers following the feel of the water from the paddlers in front of them. In another Crew were mentally challenged young kids who, whilst they did not receive any prizes their parents were gratefully in tears seeing their children race in the famous Victoria Harbour in the setting of an international regatta and receiving the cheers from thousands of spectators, lining the racing course. Whilst in other Crews there were paddlers with one arm; paddlers with no legs and paddlers who had survived dreadful illnesses. The hearts and souls of the spectators were truly captured and went out to these battling Para Dragons as they raced their boats to the Finish Line.
The Hope. Para Dragon Boating is a new extension in modern Dragon Boating. The HKDBA works on a voluntary basis to cover the cost of venue, boat rental, coach fees and other fees. Government funding and private donation are paramount to advance this sport worldwide.
The next goal is to invite more Para Dragon Boat teams to come to Hong Kong for the IDBF Club Crew World Championships (CCWC) in 2012, when more than 100 teams are expected to race. We see the strength of these paddlers, we see a Sport – our Sport, with no limits, are we going to allow our own limitations to limit these people‟s potentials? We must not if we are truly to say that Dragon Boat Sport is a Sport for All !
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 9.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
SECOND IN THE RACE BUT WINNERS IN SPIRIT! THE HONG KONG BLIND SPORTS ASSOCIATION DRAGON BOAT TEAM The Hong Kong Blind Sport Association (HKBSA) has been active since April, 2008 with a mission to promote equal participation and sports for all. HKBSA started Dragon Boat training in February 2010 and that year our team participated in the Shatin Dragon Boat Race, Stanley Dragon Boat Short Course Race and the 2010 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, where, to our pleasant surprise and delight, the Team Won the 2010 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Adaptive Paddling Invitational Race and took the Silver medal in the 2010 Hong Kong Sa Sa Mixed International Championship Silver Bowl ! It was indeed a great encouragement to and achievement by our visually impaired athletes.
This year the HKBSA Team faced a new group of challengers, the Guangdong Jiang Men from China. In the first round of the competition, HKBSA did not achieve the ranking we anticipated, finishing third. However we did not lose faith in ourselves and the team was filled with positive energy, eager to make a comeback in the second round of the competition. Which they did, with a record breaking new record of a minute and ten seconds, HKBSA‟s energy and perseverance won them the Silver trophy in the end. Although our team did not win the gold trophy, our team in fact was the champion of Hong Kong!
Although the team did not win the final race, they cherished the experience. The wonderful memories and friendships made at the event will never be forgotten. The Team may not have taken first place this year but they won in spirit were enlightened by a whole new lesson in life.
They learnt to appreciate one another, to appreciate what they already had and they learned not just more about the Sport but the lessons of life that only this kind of experience can provide. Through training and racing the Team not only became physically healthier but learned to be more socially active and acknowledged the need to depend on one another and appreciate the existence of one another. They learned to work in harmony as a Team. “The Sprit, the will to win, and the will to excell are the things that ensure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur” (Vince Lombardi).
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN, INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL 28 -29 May and 4-5 June 2011 The second of June is the day that marks the opening of the Yokohama Port and the “International Dragon Boat Festival in Yokoama” is usually scheduled to be held on the weekend before or after this Memorial Day as one of the festival events. The venue is within the port area in front of the Yamashita Park, where the famous Atlantic liner Hikawa Maru, introduced in 1930, a 12,000 ton Passenger and Cargo ship, which now serves as a part of marine museum, is moored. The history of the Yokohama Dragon Boat race dates back to 1994, through the endeavors of the Yokohama Junior Chamber of Commerce, who purchased 6 dragon boats from Hong Kong. Since then, the event has attracted companies, schools, and people in the city, to the point where the races are conducted over two consecutive weekends (four days) by the “NPO Yokohama Dragon Boat organizing committee” with the support of the Yokohama China Town, Japan Hong Kong Association, Yokohama Junior Chamber of Commerce, and hundreds of volunteers.
This year, the races were held on May 28th, 29th, and June 4th, 5th with more than 150 participating teams from the city of Yokohama and its surrounding areas including metropolitan Tokyo. The festival is sanctioned by the Japan Dragon Boat Association and Yokohama is one of the biggest dragon boat festivals held in Japan. The winning crews this year were the “Yokohama Surf Bathers” and “Tokyo Dragon Boat Team”, both crews are among the top dragon boat club crews in Japan.
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 10.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
IRAN DRAGON BOATING NOW AN INDEPENDENT SPORT – THE NEXT STEPS.
After four years as part of the Iranian Rowing, Canoeing and Sailing Federation, Dragon Boating has been recognised as an independent Sport by the Iranian Sports Authorities. The Iran Dragon Boat Association (IrDBA) officially came into existence on the 7th January 2011, when it took over responsibility for the Sport from the Iran Canoeing Federation. Iran‟s first international attendance was in 2008 at the 8th Asian Dragon Boat Championships in Penang, where the Men‟s team took the Bronze Medal in the 2000m Championship. But after that the development of the Sport slowed down both nationally and internationally because, as just one of the disciplines under the Iran Canoe Federation, there was a lack of concentration on Dragon Boat activities.
This meant that the cost of preparing and sending a Team to 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou didn‟t produce the expected results and consequently, Dragon Boating was separated from the Iran Canoe Federation and recognised as an independent Sport under Iran Federation of Sports Associations (IFSA). “We hope to prepare necessary structures and infrastructures for the Sport so that the IrDBA can to become the fully fledged Sports Federation as soon as possible”, said, Mohammadreza Dorkhah, head of the IrDBA International Affairs group. As an independent Sport the Iran DBA is responsible directly to the Iran Federation of Sport for all Dragon Boating activities in Iran and the selection of Dragon Boat Teams to represent Iran at international and World Championships level but in the short term the separation from the Canoe Federation has meant that the IrDBA did not have the time or funding to prepare a Team to compete in the Tampa 2011, IDBF World Championships.
The second legacy of becoming independent is the situation regarding Iran hosting the 2013 IDBF World Championships and here there are some outstanding issues to be resolved before the IDBF can confirm the Championships for Iran. Putting such issues to one side, the IranDBA wants to move on from the past and take effective and practical steps towards Dragon developing Dragon Boating further in Iran. In order to become strong enough to compete with Asian teams and other strong Teams around the world, the IranDBA has started „talent spotting‟ children and teenagers for the Sport.. Through this the Association hopes to have paddlers who will world class in Dragon Boating within the next 10-15 years. There are also plans to introduce the Sport into the Universities and to encourage crews from the Armed Forces. One of the centres of Iranian Dragon Boating is Gilan, one of Iran‟s 31 provinces, situated in the North of the Country, on the Caspian Sea, near to Azerbaijan. The development of Dragon Boating in Gilan, has been led by, Sadiq Fathi, who has been a water-sports coach, mainly Sailing, for 35 of his 51 years. Under his guidance, over the past four years, the Gilan Dragon Boat Team has regularly taken honours in Dragon Boat Races, with the Women‟s Team in particular, winning medals at National level.
Sadiq‟s training regime consists of four week day sessions a week for both Men‟s and Women‟s with Saturday morning practice race on Saturday mornings. He feels that to develop the Sport on a wider basis will need the setting up of zones in the North, South, East, West and Central areas of the Country with regular tournaments in each zone , with, eventually a National Dragon Boat league for Iran.
Away from the water and after many reviews and correspondence with the Asian Dragon Boat Federation (ADBF), Iran's application for ADBF membership, was finally approved at the ADBF Congress, on the 16 May 2011, in China, where the IrDBA was warmly welcomed by the ADBF Members.
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 11.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
On the home front, progress is being made to set up a Coaches Association for the Sport and to formulate comprehensive Regulations and Bye-Laws for the Association. Led by Mr. Kenny, Chairman of the IrDBA and Mr Kani, IrDBAs Administrator, a forum was recently held to discuss these and other important organisational aspects of running the Sport, including the training of Race Officials and the roles of administrators and managers within the Association. After this, the most important matter for the Sport is to hold numerous competitions in order to create motivation and excitement among athletes. Therefore the IranDBA has decided to to hold an Iran National Championships each year and also to hold National Cup Races, in order to maintain the interest of Dragon Boat Clubs throughout the year. In addition the IranDBA wants to develop competitions in new parts of the Country, other than in Tehran, Anzali Port in thye north or Kish Island in the south would be the first choices. And just to prove the point the Lengeh Dragon Boat Team set a Persian Gulf record by paddling the 25kms from West Port to Kish Island, in 3 hours. The crew of 18 hardy souls were Mohammad rough Poor - Ali touch - Ali rough Poor - Arif wave - Behzad Gvyly – Hatim Qureshi - Samad available forces - Ja Kharrazi - Samir Qureshi - Ali Mohammad Pur - Vahid Shyrady - true Sheikhi - Faran Poor Moradian - Jonah Sheikhi – Jonah Mtsm - Resurrection Feizi - Seyed Ali.
Another new area of potential Dragon Boat development is Saveh city, some 140 km from Tehran. Here recently Mr. Muhammad and a group of Dragon Boat officials visited newly established Saveh Lake area of the city. The water depth of Saveh Lake is around 2 meters with a length of 500 meters and the lake was originally establish as a recreational area for the City‟s residents to en- joy but after a while, and given the water space available and the facilities that could be provided at the Lake, the City authorities felt that it should also be used for some sporting activities too. Dragon Boating was one of the Sports that the City government felt would be ideal for developing on the Lake, especially given its known capacity to generate revenue, from the large crew size of a Dragon Boat and the potential numbers of people that could take part in Dragon Boating, as both a Sport and recreational activity. In this the City administrators hope is that Dragon Boating will be equally as attractive to the City‟s young people as a Sport, as well as to all age groups as a recreational activity that will enhance their general health.
th This year the Iran National Championships will be held from 7-11 November, in the Azadi Sport Complex, Tehran. All clubs around the country are training hard to show their capabilities in this big event in both Men‟s and Women‟s categories. Another competition that IranDBA officials are working on is to organise an IDBF sanctioned international regatta in Iran. This would be somewhat unique because of the lack of international sports tournaments in the Middle East. Iran has a warm climate events can he held all year round, when in some Countries it is not possible to race due to cold weather. So paddlers from these countries would be able to compete in a warm environment and enjoy the kind of friendship and hospitality that Dragon Boaters experience around the world. Finally, this year the IrDBA will be hosting IDBF Coaches and Race Officials Courses in Tehran, staffed by IDBF experts. The. IranDBA is proud to invite paddlers from all around the world especially those from neighbouring countries like the UAE, Oman, Azerbaijan and Turkey to come to Tehran as the heart of Dragon Boating in the Middle East and participate in these course. If you are interested in attending please contact us at: [email protected]. Mohammadreza Dorkhah. IT & Intl Affairs, Iran DBA.
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 12.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
EXOTIC ISTANBUL, MARVELOUS MACAU AND HECTIC HONG KONG CELEBRATE THE DRAGON 20 YEARS ON. Three IDBF Affiliate Dragon Boat Festivals featured in this issue of Dragon Boat International, are the Istanbul Festival, organised by HSB Sport, Turkey and held on the exotic Golden Horn over the last weekend in May; the annual Macau International Races, the only 5 Star Affiliate Festival on the IDBF Calendar and the mother of them all, the Hong Kong International Races, held on Victoria Harbour this year, the birthplace of our modern sport. Our roving reporter was privileged to be at all three of these very different regattas, all with their own character and style but all showing the wide appeal that Dragon Boat Racing has and the strength and depth of Dragon Boat Sport, across the world, that has developed in the 20 years since the IDBF was formed in Hong Kong. EXOTIC ISTANBUL ! First up was the Istanbul Festival, organised by HSB HSB Sports, Istanbul, an IDBF Affiliate for the past 3 years, during which time Hakken and his family based team have taken Dragon Boating from just one event in Istanbul attracting around 30 corporate crews, to a festival race programme covering 8 cities in Turkey, with over 120 crews competing in the Golden Horn Festival Races alone, this year. And what a „festivali‟ it is with well over 2000 competitors racing 12 boats at a time, over 2 full days of hectic exciting and colourfull competition. Off the water the atmosphere was electic and noisy too, with fancy dress competitions for the Drummers and Helms, various types of entertainment and music on the big stage with its jumbo video screen, in the centre of the competitors village and the corporate companies involved in the races, doing their best to out shout and out display their competitors crews on the way to and from the over-crowded Boat Marshalling area. Add to this an enthusisatic crowd of followers and spectators, along the entire length of the 250m course and beyond, shouting their favourities on to win and with TV crews interviewing all and sundry, live web casts and VIP visits by government officials and the Mayor of Istanbul too and you have a Dragon Boat „Festivali‟ that captures the very heart beat of our sport –and next year the grand plan is to add international races to the mix too. So be there !! Add to this an enthusisatic crowd of But it was not all play as IDBF Officials held talks during the races, with government officials to discuss the development of Sport Racing in Turkey under the governance of the Turkish Dragon Boat Asssociation and some sixteen „Festivali‟ Boat Helms successfully passed their were assessment for the IDBF Festival Helm‟s Award. A big well done to them. Next up, IDBF Coaches and Race Officials courses are planned for later in the year.
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 13.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
MARVELOUS MACAU !! Next stop on the tour of IDBF Affiliate Festivals was Macau, for the Macau International Dragon Boat Races, held on the Van Nam Lake, site of the 2010 IDBF Club Crew World Champs. Situated in the heart of Macau, the Regatta lake was purpose built for Dragon Boat Racing at the 2005 East Asian Games and is now the home of the Macau China Dragon Boat Association, who co-organise the Macau Races in conjunction with the Macau Sports Devlopment Board. As always the facilities and organisation of the Macau Races, always held on the Double Fifth, was second to none, colourful and exciting with hundreds of spectators In the Grandstands cheering their crews on, literally as Cheer Leading Groups practised their skills in support of their competing crews, with horns, whistles, drums and voices in a cacophony of sound. On the water the racing too was of the highest order with over 130 crews from China, Macau, the Philippines, Great Britain, United States Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, showing their strengths and skills in a day of fast and furious competition with Jiu Jiang from China taking top honours of the day in the Premier Open and Women‟s competitions. In true Macau style a marvellous Celebration dinner and cabaret capped another well staged and organised regatta cementing Macau‟s reputation as the only 5 star regatta on the Dragon Boat calendar.
HECTIC HONG KONG !!! Third and last stop in the festivals‟ journey was to Hong Kong to experience the Sport in its home town and on the racing course of Victoria Harbour where the modern sport started in 1976, with an international match between crews from Hong Kong and Nagasaki Japan. In 2012 the world will return to Victoria Harbour for the 2012 IDBF Club Crew Championships, so a visit to this year‟s Hong Kong International Races was a chance to see the systems being trialed in the lead up to the 2012 Championships. And hectic is the only word to describe the energy and entusiasm that dominates the racing in Hong Kong. Wall to wall spectators along the whole 500m plus of the racing venue, precision organisation of both the crews on and off the water and the VIPs seated in the Grandstands along side the course, Pipe Bands a plenty and massed medal ceremonies, the constant movement of people through the crowed assembly area, the hospitality and entertainment of the Festival Beer Garden and exciting racing against the backdrop of Hong Kong‟s famous harbour, all add up to an experience not to be missed and a specticle to savour. Organised by the Hong Dragon Boat Association, with great support and sponsorship from the Hong Kong Tourism Board and local businesses, Hong Kong never fails to be brighter, bigger and even brasher than any other Dragon Boat Festival and with a volunteer workforce of hundreds, the signs are that the 2012 Club Crew World Champs are not the ones to miss. Be there !!
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 14.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
IDBF CALENDAR OF MEMBERS DATES AND AFFILIATED FESTIVALS July 2011 - April 2012
www.idbf.org
Championships - International & National All Dragon Boat Races shown are held under IDBF Racing Rules or adapted from them. Championships IDBF Members Regattas shown are held under IDBF Competition Regulations.
IDBF Affiliates Festival Races
National Dragon Boat Regattas/Courses
Multi Sports Games & Boating Events All events and dates shown are as notified on 1 January 2011 - (P) = Provisional. TBC = To Be Notified
Date Regatta Details Race Venue Country Contact Details
1-3 Jul 2011 Canadian National Championships Welland, Ontario Canada www.dragonboat.ca
1-3 Jul 2011 Governor or Primorsky Cup Int Races Vladivostok Russia EM: [email protected] 2 Jul 2011 Dover Regatta Dragon Boat Races Dover England www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk
3 Jul 2011 British National League – Race 6 Exeter England www.dragonboat.org.uk 8-10 Jul 2011 Singapore International DB Festival Marina Prom Singapore www.sdba.org.sg
15-17 Jul 2011 German National Championships Bad Waldsee Germany www.drachenboot.de
16-17 Jul 2011 UK Corporate Games DB Races Loughborough England www.corporate-games.com
www.jdba-dragonboat.com 17 Jul 2011 Japanese National Championships Osaka Japan EM: [email protected] 23 Jul 2011 Doncaster Dragon Boat Challenge Doncaster England www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk
EM: johanes.muehl@wsc- 23 Jul 2011 Heidelburger DB Cup Races - Neckar Heidelburg Germany heidelburg.de www.jdba-dragonboat.com 30 Jul 2011 Suita Dragon Boat Races - Prefecture Osaka Japan EM: [email protected] 30 -31 Jul 2011 Long Beach DB Fest – Marine Stadium Long Beach, CA Usa lbdragonboat.com st 30-31 Jul 2011 1 Pan Am Club Crew Championships Tampa, Florida Usa EM: [email protected] 3 - 7 Aug 2011 10th World Nations Championships Tampa, Florida Usa www.idbfworldchamps.com th 8 Aug 2011 12 IDBF Members Congress Tampa, Florida Usa www.idbf.org
13-14 Aug 2011 New York Hong Kong DB Festival New York Usa www.hkdbf-ny.org
20 Aug 2011 SDBA AusCham 10k DB Challenge Marina Reservoir Singapore www.sdba.org.sg
th 20-21 Aug 2011 11 Riverfront DB Festival Hartford CT Usa www.dragonboathartford.com
21 Aug 2011 British National League – Race 7 Worcester England www.dragonboat.org.uk 26-28 Aug 2011 13th European Clubs Championships Kiev Ukraine EM: [email protected] 27 Aug 2011 Barrie Dragon Boat Festival Barrie, Ont Canada www.barriedragonboatfestival.ca 27-28 Aug 2011 5th Dragon Boat Event Donausee Weitenegg Austria
28 Aug 2011 Kanku Dragon Boat Festival Kanku Int Airport Japan www.jdba-dragonboat.com 28 Aug 2011 Guarding Holdingsl DB Regatta Chaguaramas Trinidad EM: [email protected]. 3 Sep 2011 EHDC Dragon Boat Races - Bosbaan Amsterdam Netherlands www.ehdc.nl 4 Sep 2011 British National League – Race 8 Milton Keynes England www.dragonboat.org.uk 10 Sep 2011 Schwerin Long Distance DB Race Schwerin Germany EM:[email protected]
10 Sep 2011 Cambridge DB Festival – River Cam Cambridge England www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk
th 10-11Sep 2011 17 GWN Dragon Boat Challenge Toronto, Ont Canada www.gwndragonboat.com
10-11Sep 2011 Istanbul Dragon Boat Festival Istanbul Turkey www.dragonboatfestivali.com
10-11Sep 2011 Portland Dragon Boat Races Portland, Oregon Usa www.portlanddragonboats.com
13 Sep 2011 Macau Open Autumn Festival Cup Nam Van Lake Macau, China www.sport.gov.mo 17 Sep 2011 Stratford Dragon Boat Festival Stratford, Ont Canada www.rotarystratford.com
TH 17 Sep 2011 5 Mercer County DB Festival Trenton, NJ Usa www.gwndragonboat.com
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 15.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
17-18 Sep 2011 SAVA Sprints International Venue - TBN Singapore www.sava.com.sg
17-18 Sep 2011 Hamelner DB Races 250m, 2000m Hamelin Germany EM: [email protected]
18 Sep 2011 Philippines DB Federation - Regatta 3 Venue - TBN Philippines www.pdbf.com 24 Sep 2011 Alkmaar Dragon Boat Races - Bosbaan Amsterdam Netherlands www.alkmaardragons.nl 24 –25 Sep 2011 British National Championships NWSC Nottingham England www.dragonboat.org.uk
24-25 Sep 2011 Singapore River Regatta Singapore River Singapore www.sdba.org.sg
th 1 Oct 2011 10 Philadelphia Int DB Festival Philadelphia, Pen Usa www.philadragonboatfestival.com
1-2 Oct 2011 Rome Int DB Festival – EUR Lake Rome Italy www.dragonboat.it
9 Oct 2011 Chinese Arrival DB Festival Chaguaramas Trinidad EM: [email protected]. nd 14-16 Oct 2011 2 Camsur International DB Festival Camsur Philippines www.pdbf.com 15 Oct 2011 Orlando International DB Festival Orlando, Fld Usa www.gwndragonboat.com
15-16 Oct 2011 Cyprus International DB Races Limassol Cyprus EM: [email protected]
Malaysia International DB Festival and 20 -23 Oct 2011 Putrajaya Malaysia www.putrajayadragonboat.com Cancer Survivors World Cup Races 21 - 23 Oct 2011 Legaspi (Albay) Dragon Boat Races Venue TBN Philippines www.pdbf.com
5-6 Nov 2011 Indoor Dragon Boat Championship Oerlikon Switzerland [email protected] www.greifensee-dragons.ch/rennen 7 – 11 Nov2011 Iran National Championships Tehran Iran www.irandba.ir
1 Dec 2011 Philippines National Championships Venue TBN Philippines www.pdbf.com
10-11 Dec 2011 Penang Dragon Boat Races Penang Malaysia
22-23 Jan 2011 Chinese New Year Melbourne, Victo- Australia [email protected] ria 4-5 Feb 2012 Singapore International Dragon Boat Singapore Marina Singapore Singapore Dragon Boat Association Festival Bay 5 Feb 2012 Chinese New Year Sydney Australia Melanie Cantwell, dragon- boatnsw.bigpond.com DRAGON BOAT CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011-2013
2011
30-31 Jul 2011 1st Pan Am Club Crew Championships Tampa, Florida USA EM: [email protected] 3-7 Aug 2011 10th World Nations Championships Tampa, Florida USA www.idbfworldchamps.com
26-28 Aug 2011 13th European Clubs Championships Kiev Ukraine EM: [email protected] 2012
29 Jun -1 Jul 12 8th Club Crew World Championships Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong www.idbfworldchamps.com
To be confirmed 10th European Nations Championships Preston, Lancs(P) England www.dragonboatorg.uk
2013 21-25 Aug 13 (P) 11th World Nations Championships Tehran Iran www.idbfworldchamps.com
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 16.
– IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
IDBF AFFILIATES – JULY 2011
(Dragon Boat Festivals and Event Organisers) FESTIVALS: Alcan Dragon Boat Festival Can website. www.dragonboatbc.ca
Auckland Dragon Boat Festival Nzl website. www.aucklanddragonboats.co.nz
Dragon Boat Israel Isr email: [email protected] Győr International Dragon Boat Festival Hun website: www.dragonboat.hu Hong Kong International Races Hkg website: www.hkdba.com Hong Kong International Races Hkg website: www.hkdba.com Istanbul Dragon Festival Trk website: www.dragonfestivali.com Istanbul Dragon Festival Trk website: www.dragonfestivali.com Labuan International Sea Challenge l Mal email: [email protected]
Limmasol International Dragon Boat Races Cyp email: [email protected]
Macau International Festival Races Mac website: [email protected]
Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Usa website: www.miamidragon.com Nantes Atlantique Dragon Boat Festival Fra website: www.nack.nates.free.fr New York Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Usa website: www.hkdbf-ny.org New York Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Usa website: www.hkdbf-ny.org Penang International Dragon Boat Festival Mal website: www.penangdragonboat.gov.my
Prague International Dragon Boat Races Cze website: www.dragonboat.cz
Putrajaya Int Dragon Boat Festival Mal website: www.putrajayadragonboat.com
Rouen AFCDB Dragon Boat Festival Fra website: www. dragonboat.fr Sabah International Dragon Boat Races Mal website: www.sabahtourism.com Stanley International Festival Races Hkg website: www.dragonboat.org.hk Stanley International Festival Races Hkg website: www.dragonboat.org.hk Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Festival Usa website: www.TampaBayDragonBoats.com Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Festival Usa website: www.TampaBayDragonBoats.com Thailand International Swan Boat Races Thl email: [email protected]
Tim Horton’s Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival Can www. dragonboat.net Tim Horton’s Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival Can www. dragonboat.net
Toronto International Festival Races Can website: www.dragonboats.com
Trinidad Dragon Boat Festival T&T website: www.chinesearrivaltt.org Vladivostok Governor of Primorye Int Cup Rus email: [email protected]
EVENT ORGANISERS:ORGANISERS: AP Conclusion Ger email: [email protected] China Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festivals Hkg email: [email protected] China Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festivals Hkg email: [email protected] Dragon Boat Events Suisse. Swi website: www.dragonboatevents.ch Dragon Boat Events Suisse. Swi website: www.dragonboatevents.ch Dragon Boats Barcelona Spn website: www.barcelona-dragonboats.com
Dragon Boats Turkey Tur email: [email protected]
Dragon Boats Thailand Thl email: [email protected]
Gable Events UK Gbr website: www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk HSB Sport Turkey Tur website: www.dragonfestivali.com Made in Cote d’Azur Fra email: [email protected] Made in Cote d’Azur Fra email: [email protected] Nautiques Evenements Fra website : www.nautiquesevenements.com
SAVA Singapore Sng website: www.sava.com.sg
Sail in Asia, Thailand Thl website: www.sailinasia.com
USA Dragon Boating Usa website: www.usadragonboating.com
Dragon Boating. “More than a – A Tradition “ Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 17.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
LICENSED MANUFACTURERS - IDBF SPEC RACING DRAGON BOATS & PADDLES as at 01 July 2011 BOAT BUILDER Model Country of Origin Email or Fax Contact Bizzon Dragon Boats 1222 Czech Republic [email protected]
Boat & Home 1222 Canada [email protected] BuK Boats 1222/ 912 Germany [email protected] Champion Boats 1222/ 912 China [email protected]
Donoratico 1222 Italy Fax + 39 056 577 4290 Flying Eagle 1222/912 China [email protected] Gemini 1222 Poland [email protected]
Get Together Services Ltd 912 New Zealand [email protected] KTH Seagull Boats 1222 Singapore [email protected] Olym Elite Boats 1222/912 China [email protected]
Pei Sheng Boats 1222 China [email protected] Plastex Composite 1222/912 Poland [email protected] Regata 2000 1222 Hungary [email protected]
Simon River Sports 1222 Canada [email protected] Swift International 1222/912 China [email protected] Tedi Sport 1222 Poland [email protected]
PADDLE MAKERS Licence Number –Spec 202a Apex Composites 3021/22/23 Canada [email protected] Braca Sport 3061 Lithuania [email protected] Braca Sport 3061 Lithuania [email protected] Burnwater 3011/12 Usa [email protected]
Champion Paddles 3191 China [email protected] Chinook Paddles 3131 Canada [email protected] Dutch Composites 3241 Netherlands [email protected]
Dynamo Paddles 3341 Lithuania [email protected] ES Dragon Paddles 3101 Germany [email protected] Far East FRP Boat Co 3331 China [email protected]
Flying Eagle 3281 China [email protected] Grey Owl Paddles 3081/82/83 Canada [email protected] G‟ Power 3121 Poland [email protected]
Kajner Sport 3301 Hungary [email protected] Kanoe Sports 3291 Singapore [email protected] Kialoa Paddles 3251/52 Usa [email protected]
Kober Moll 221 Germany [email protected] Land & Ocean Comps 3111 China [email protected] Ocky Oars 3071 Australia [email protected]
Olym Elite Paddles 3211/12 China [email protected] Seatec Paddles 3242/43 Singapore [email protected] RAAB Paddles 3141 Czech Rep [email protected]
RK Company 3311 Czech Rep [email protected] Simon River Sports 3091/92/93 Canada [email protected] Stanley Residents Assoc 3271 Hong Kong [email protected]
Swift International 3151 China [email protected] Talon Technology 3201/02/03 Australia [email protected] Trivium Paddles 3051 Lithuania [email protected] Trivium Paddles 3051 Lithuania [email protected] Typhoon 8 3041/42 Hong Kong [email protected] Yarn-Way Enterprise Co Ltd 3321 China [email protected] Zijie Sports Oars 3261 China [email protected] Zijie Sports Oars 3261 China [email protected] ZRE Racing 3031 Usa [email protected]
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 18.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
THE 'ULTIMATE TEAM SPORT", DRAGON BOAT RACING IS COMING TO ISRAEL. THE 'ULTIMATE TEAM SPORT", DRAGON BOAT RACING IS COMING TO ISRAEL. Dragon BoatTHE Racing, 'ULTIMATE the 'ultimate TEAM team SPORT", sport", is DRAGON coming to IsraelBOAT. This RACING new "very IS old"COMING sport has TO become ISRAEL. a truly global phenomenon,Dragon Boat with Racing, events the held 'ultimate in over team70 countries, sport", now is coming including to Israel Israel and. This is the new fastest-growing "very old" sport water has sport become in the aworld. truly global Dragon Boat Racing, the 'ultimate team sport", is coming to Israel. 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I want to invite you all to participate and I will be there to greet you.” “There‟s a seat in the boat for everyone.” TravelTeams packagesare already that being include recruited Dragon from Boat Canada, Racing the are United being Statesmade availableand elsewhere through to leadingdevelop specialty international tour competitionoperators and in Israel.travel agencies.TravelTeams packagesare Foralready more that being informationinclude recruited Dragon email:from Boat Canada, [email protected] Racing the are United being Statesmade availableand elsewhere through to leadingdevelop specialty international tour competitionoperators and in Israel.travel agencies.Travel packages For more that informationinclude Dragon email: Boat [email protected] Racing are being made available through leading specialty tour operators and travel agencies. For more information email: [email protected] MAKING THE TURN. CHINA PUSHING THE LIMITS – 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRAGUE MAKING THE TURN. CHINA PUSHING PREMIERTHE LIMITS OPEN – 2000M 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRAGUE MAKING THE TURN. CHINA PUSHING PREMIERTHE LIMITS OPEN – 2000M 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRAGUE PREMIER OPEN 2000M
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– IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL'S CULTURAL HERITAGE REACHES BEYOND CHINA DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL'S CULTURAL HERITAGE REACHES BEYOND CHINA Team of enthusiastic Danish-Canadians were among the first competitors when the event was Team of enthusiastic Danish-Canadians were among the first competitors when the event was launched 25 years ago. By Medha, Vancouver Sun June 11, 2011 launched 25 years ago. By Medha, Vancouver Sun June 11, 2011 A small dragon hidden in the collections of the Museum of The Danish Brotherhood was one of the community organiza- VancouverA small dragon is testament hidden into the earlycollections provenance of the of Museum the city's of tionsThe Danish that responded. Brotherhood Kjeld was Christensen, one of the communitywho was part organiza- of the VancouverDragon Boat is Festival. testament The to figurine the early was provenancegifted to the ofcity the in 1945, city's teamtions in that 1986 responded. said, "Since Kjeld the Christensen, Danish Brotherhood who was already part of had the justDragon after Boat the Festival.end of the The Second figurine World was War,gifted by to thethe thencity in consul- 1945, ateam soccer in 1986 team, said, we had"Since the therequired Danish manpower. Brotherhood So wealready decided, had generaljust after of the China. end Itof was the aSecond gesture World of goodwill War, byand the close then relations consul- whya soccer not?" team, we had the required manpower. So we decided, betweengeneral of the China. people It wasof China a gesture and Canada. of goodwill and close relations Practicewhy not?" sessions were included in the registration fee and the between the people of China and Canada. Practice sessions were included in the registration fee and the At the time, the consul-general expressed hope that the miniature teamPractice managed sessions awere respectable included in eighththe registration position, feeespecially and the dragonAt the time, would the serve consul-general as "a symbol expressed of success hope for thatthe planthe miniatureto hold a consideringteam managed that most a respectablemembers had eighth never paddled position, before,especially said Chinesedragon would Dragon serve Boat as "a Festival symbol ofin success connection for the with plan the to holdcity's a Christensen'sconsidering that teammate most members Bent Ostergaard. had never paddled before, said diamondChinese jubilee Dragon next Boat year." Festival in connection with the city's TheyChristensen's had so muchteammate fun that Bent the Ostergaard. team participated the next two diamond jubilee next year." They had so much fun that the team participated the next two Those plans never materialized. A note at the museum says, years,They had but so after much that fun things that the got team serious: participated "There the were next teams two "ThereThose plans is no never evidence materialized. that a dragon A note boat at racethe museum took place says, in years,practicing but all after year thatlong. things We couldn't got serious: compete "There with that." were teams Vancouver,"There is no 1946." evidence It took that another a dragon 40 years boat for race the took boat place race toin practicing all year long. We couldn't compete with that." Vancouver, 1946." It took another 40 years for the boat race to The race proved so popular that in 1988, the Canadian Interna- becomeVancouver, a reality. 1946." It took another 40 years for the boat race to tionalThe race Dragon proved Boat so Society popular was that formedin 1988, to the formally Canadian take Interna-charge. become a reality. tional Dragon Boat Society was formed to formally take charge. "It was one of the many community projects that were organized Sincetional Dragonthen, the Boat 2,000-year-old Society was Chinese formed summerto formally solstice take charge.festival in"It connectionwas one of withthe manyVancouver's community centennial projects and that Expo were 86, organized but one hasSince become then, the a 2,000-year-old Vancouver institution Chinese thatsummer attracts solstice more festival than ofin connectionthe few to survive,"with Vancouver's says Adrian centennial Lee, a formerand Expo member 86, but of onethe 100,000has become onlookers. a Vancouver institution that attracts more than Internationalof the few to Dragonsurvive," Boatsays Federation.Adrian Lee, aLee former has member been closelyof the "We100,000 had onlookers. no idea in 1986 that this festival would become so Internationalinvolved with theDragon festival Boat in Vancouver Federation. and Lee said has 1986 been marked closely the "We had no idea in 1986 that this festival would become so involved with the festival in Vancouver and said 1986 marked the big,""We hadsaid noOstergaard. idea in 1986 "Nor that did this the festival organizing would committee, become so I introductioninvolved with of the dragon festival boat in racingVancouver to the and non-Asian said 1986 world. marked the suppose."big," said Ostergaard. "Nor did the organizing committee, I introduction of dragon boat racing to the non-Asian world. suppose." The Chinese Cultural Centre imported the required teak boats Thissuppose." year, more than 170 teams are expected to participate in fromThe ChineseHong Kong Cultural and sent Centre out aimported call for participation the required to the teak various boats This year, more than 170 teams are expected to participate in from Hong Kong and sent out a call for participation to the various theThis races,year, more which than take 170 place teams in east are Falseexpected Creek. to participate Christensen in culturalfrom Hong and Kong corporate and sent organizations out a call for participationof Vancouver. to theIn variousall, 30 andthe races,Ostergaard which took take part place in a indemonstration east False Creek.regatta Christensencommemo- teamscultural responded. and corporate Many organizationsof them had noof ideaVancouver. about dragon In all, boat 30 and Ostergaard took part in a demonstration regatta commemo- teams responded. Many of them had no idea about dragon boat ratingand Ostergaard 25 years of took dragon part boatin a demonstration racing in the city. regatta commemo- racing.teams responded. Many of them had no idea about dragon boat rating 25 years of dragon boat racing in the city. racing. medha@vancouversun © Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun medha@vancouversun © Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun FREE DRAGON BOATS FROM HONG KONG – FOR IDBF MEMBERS & CLUBS. FREE DRAGON BOATS FROM HONG KONG – FOR IDBF MEMBERS & CLUBS. The Stanley Fishermans Association, the organisers of the annual Stanley Harbour Dragon Boat Festival, in Hong Kong,
areThe supportingStanley Fishermans the IDBF Development Association, programme the organisers by offering, of the annual free of charge,Stanley woodenHarbour Hong Dragon Kong Boat style Festival, Dragon in Boats Hong to Kong, IDBF Membersare supporting who need the IDBFboats Developmentto help develop programme Dragon Boat by Sport offering, in their free own of charge, Countries wooden and Territories. Hong Kong style Dragon Boats to IDBF Members who need boats to help develop Dragon Boat Sport in their own Countries and Territories. The boats are made to IDBF Spec or rather the IDBF Standard Racing Boat specification is based on this traditional design as racedThe boats in Hong are Kong,made soto theIDBF boats Spec will or be rather familiar the in IDBF design Standard to all IDBF Racing Members Boat andspecification ideal for trainingis based and on competitions. this traditional design as raced in Hong Kong, so the boats will be familiar– in design to all IDBF Members and ideal for training and competitions. If you want to see what you can have for free – but you must cover shipping costs from Hong Kong to your own location, then go to – and click to “Albums” for 2006 theIf you Stanley want toweb see site what at www.dragonboat.org.hkyou can have for free andbut youclick must to “Albums” cover shipping for 2006 costs-10. from Hong Kong to your own location, then go to Thethe Stanley wooden web boats site in at “orange www.dragonboat.org.hk number plates” are and those click boatsto “Albums” which forare 2006 being-10. The wooden boats in “orange number plates” are those boats which are being donated and they are only 5 years old. Those with The wooden boats in “orange number plates” are those boats which are being white number plates are NOT the donated boats, theare a bit different in spec anddonated smaller and and they slimmer are only in size. 5 years old. Those with white number plates are NOT the donated boats, theare a bit –different in spec and smaller and slimmer in size. Interested in a Hong Kong Traditional Wooden Dragon Boat – then contact Edwin Hu, Email: [email protected] Interested in a Hong Kong Traditional Wooden Dragon Boat – then contact Edwin Hu, Email: [email protected] – MIXED CREWS – THE 8/12 RULE. MIXED CREWS – THE 8/12 RULE. IDBF Officials are often asked what is the thinking behind the 8/12 ratio between male and female paddlers in a Mixed CrewIDBF and Officials why not are just often make asked it a what simple is 10/10 the thinking rule ? behind the 8/12 ratio between male and female paddlers in a Mixed Crew and why not just make it a simple 10/10 rule ? Well the rationale for the IDBF regulation is that It gives flexibility for Mixed Crews, in that, most Countries in the IDBF do not have a largeWell the number rationale of womenfor the IDBF competing regulation (or sometimesis that It gives Men flexibility available for Mixed for a particularCrews, in that, competition) most Countries and some in the Countries IDBF do don'tnot have have a specialistlarge number Mixed of Crews women but competing form them (orfrom sometimes the their Open Men and available Women's for crews. a particular competition) and some Countries don't have specialist Mixed Crews but form them from the their Open and Women's crews. So giving the Mixed class the ratio of 8-12 for either Men or Women paddlers in the boat, helps those developing Countries with few womenSo giving (or the men) Mixed or if class they thehave ratio not of got 8-12 10 Womenfor either or Men 10 Menor Women available paddlers to start in with, the boat,to enter helps Mixed those Races. developing Countries with few women (or men) or if they have not got 10 Women or 10 Men available to start with, to enter Mixed Races. Also of course IDBF regulations allow for crews of 18 paddlers in a boat and this can be of great importance and value to Crews in badAlso weatherof course or IDBF if they regulations get crew injuries,allow for duringcrews aof competition.18 paddlers inTo a tieboat a crewand thisto a can rigid be 10 of femalegreat importance (and Men) andpaddlers value couldto Crews mean in theybad weathermight not or be if theyable toget race crew at injuries,all, if the during Chief aOfficial competition. at an IDBF To tieChamps a crew declared to a rigid that 10 weather female (andconditions Men) meantpaddlers that could boats mean had tothey race might with not 18 bepaddlers able to or race the atwrong all, if sex the picks Chief up Official an injury at an or IDBF two !!. Champs declared that weather conditions meant that boats had to race with 18 paddlers or the wrong sex picks up an injury or two !!. This flexibility also breaks down well in the Small Boat Races to a 4/6 configuration of either Men or Women or with a boat of 8 paddlersThis flexibility in bad also weather breaks a 50/50down mixwell of in men the andSmall women. Boat Races to a 4/6 configuration of either Men or Women or with a boat of 8 paddlers in bad weather a 50/50 mix of men and women. Within the IDBF 8/12 Reg there is of course the ability to race with a 10/10 configuration, or any other mix within the 8/12 Reg, whichWithin canthe goIDBF either 8/12 way Reg regarding there is the of numbercourse theof men ability and to womenrace with in aa boat. 10/10 So configuration, in the IDBF system,or any other the mix mix of within paddlers the is8/12 a matter Reg, forwhich the can Crew go Coach,either way not regardingfor the Race the numberOfficials ofto mendecide, and sowomen that we in acan boat. all dealSo in with the IDBFthe different system, situations the mix of in paddlers different is Countries a matter particularlyfor the Crew in Coach,unforeseen not forsituations. the Race Officials to decide, so that we can all deal with the different situations in different Countries particularly in unforeseen situations.
Dragon Boating. “More than a – A Tradition “ Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 20. Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 20.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
PADDLNG WHEN PREGNANT AND WHAT PFD TO WEAR? An interesting subject of discussion recently came up on Bob Lee‟s Dragon Boat Forum, which readers of DBI will, I am sure find of interest too, when Rita Nabhan of the Baltimore Dragon Boat Club asked:- Does anyone have any recommendations for a PFD that is either specially designed or comfortably fits a pregnant woman? I know PFD's are adjustable, etc, but if there is some with more give in the belly it would be ideal. It's difficult to do our stroke when the PFD keeps rising up your shoulders because the fit is off. Paddler Mingster replied – “Love the passion but is it worth it taking the unborn child to paddle and risk a misscary”. A more practical observer suggested “ If you buy the "horse collar" style PFD, it will not impede you from paddling. I would just suggest checking the strap that goes around the back to make sure it's long enough, depending on how far gone you are”. Then the professional Dragon Boating Mothers‟ came up with this very sound advice, when Laurinda emailed in with:- “ the type that go around the neck are called type 1 PFDs, are actually Life-Jackets in that, they were originally designed to hold an unconscious or panicked person's head out of water, but they would definitely not get in the way of a growing belly. I don't personally think they'd be very comfortable though. When I was pregnant with my second child, I found a cheap Stearns life jacket at Walmart that had buckles (rather than a zipper like my more expensive PFD) which was adjustable and didn't ride up and down. It was an extra large. (I normally wear a small). I just thought I'd add that I'm also a maternity nurse and have been for over 15 years, and wanted to assure you that unless you have been deemed high risk by your obstetrician or midwife, its silly for someone to suggest you would be risking you child's life by paddling throughout your pregnancy. There are far more dangerous things you can do, like crossing the street or even riding in a car. We all take reasonable risks while pregnant, and I suppose if you paddled in really rough water and your boat flipped on a large wake, you could get hit by the boat. So I always avoided going out when it was really windy or there were a lot of white caps. But in general, exercises is great for you while pregnant, because it helps you maintain a good body weight, avoid gestational diabetes, and even leads to an easier delivery. I can't think of a safer, low impact team sport than dragon boating. Enjoy your baby and the dragon boating season! Finally, Sharon wrote, “ I don't usually answer to these forums but have to this time. Unless an obstetrician/midwife says not to do a specific exercise, then continuing to do a specific activity while pregnant, specifically paddling, is not contraindicated or unsafe. I personally paddled through two pregnancies and have wonderful, smart, healthy children. Also I can count at least half a dozen other fellow DB girlfriends all whom paddled while pregnant and we all enjoyed healthy pregnancies, deliveries and now playdates. I'm sure all mothers who are paddling are asking the right questions of their providers to protect their babies.
WALGREENS - TITLE SPONSORSHIP FOR THE ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL Walgreens will be the new title sponsor of the annual Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival on October 15, 2011 held at Walt Disney World® Resort. Entering its fourth year, this unique event features participants competing in 40-foot long dragon boats adorned with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails, racing down a 500-meter course on Lake Buena Vista. Social groups, corporations, and fitness enthusiasts alike embrace dragon boating because it builds camaraderie, emphasizes teamwork and promotes a healthy lifestyle. “We are excited to have an organization such as Walgreens take a leadership role in the event,” said Aaron Soroka, Chief Operating Officer, GWN Dragon Boat. “Their focus on the health and wellness of their customers and staff make the sport of dragon boating and this event a perfect fit." “Dragon boating combines teamwork and physical fitness with centuries old tradition,” said Marlin Hutchens, Market Vice President, Walgreens. “We are excited to play a role in promoting healthy living through the sport to our customers as well as the people who work for us.” With help from the Orlando Health Foundation, in partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, the number of teams participating at the one-day regatta is expected to surpass 100 this year, making the annual event the largest in the Southeastern United States. “Dragon boating has proven to be a great physical therapy for breast cancer survivors so it aligns well with our mission and outreach efforts in the community,” said Cheryl Collins, vice president, Orlando Health Foundation. “It‟s a great way to be physically active and support a great cause."
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 21.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE WORLD DRAGON BOAT FAMILY
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - USDBF ATTENTION US DRAGON BOAT CLUB CREWS You and your teammates are cordially invited to participate in the 2011 USDBF Club Crew National Championships to be held in Ft. Dodge, IA, August 26-28, 2011. We are thrilled to be offering the USDBF Club Crew National Championships in Ft. Dodge this year and we‟d love to see both new and familiar competitors join us on the water. It‟s not too late! Register now to race against top teams from across the nation. Don‟t miss out on the opportunity to paddle in this high quality event run by seasoned national event organizers. The USDBF is awarding the top winning crew in each division raced in the 2011 US Dragon Boat Club Crew National Champion- ships a berth to the IDBF Club Crew World Championships being held in Hong Kong in 2012. In addition, we will be awarding the 2011 BCS Club National Champion with the Dana Nelson Memorial Trophy. If you are interested in participating in this exciting event and you would like more information, please go to www.usdbf.org under DOCUMENTS to see the Bulletins for the USDBF 8th US Club Crew National Championships.
GREAT BRITAIN - BDA SNAP SHOTS FROM THE BRITISH NATIONAL LEAGUE – “Never mind the Weather” April. Powerhouse hosted an outstanding opening event in Stockton yesterday (17th April) with unbroken sunshine and a quality field there were close calls and a few surprises. New promotees to the premier league, ExeCalibre and Notts Anaconda, set out their stall pressing the established premier crews throughout the day. The 3 lane venue caused an upset in the 500m final with ExeCalibre, Amathus and Worcester Dragons in the mix for top points. A few performances suggested that 2011 may not be as predictable as recent seasons. The league points for the event will be posted shortly. Thanks to Powerhouse, Stockton-On- Tees and Middlesbrough for their hospitality and support and to the 15 crews who helped keep the programme on time with some quick turn arounds. st May 1 . Nationals like wind conditions greeted the largest field of crews for some time at Royal Albert Docks. After some interesting moments during the 200m class and some debate over whether the more experienced crews could continue with the 500m competition the officials finally called off the event. Disappointing for many but sensible from a safety perspective.
Worcester Dragons play hide the dragon boat, photo courtesy of Liz WIlliams-Hubbard.
17 June 11. After another windy day on the water, Nottingham provided some interesting results with new kids on the block storming the 200m final on home turf. 22 June 11 Another windy and choppy day for crews in round 4 of the National League in Preston. Lane 1 proved to be a good place to be out of the wind with times suffering due to the stiff head wind. A few of the crews braved the elements to complete the trial 2000m race in the dock and Amathus maintained their domination of the 500m distance. July. Good weather, home turf and lots of local support spurred Exe-Calibre on to victory in both 200m and 500m cup competitions on the Quay at Exeter in the fifth round of the National League.
MALAYSIA - PDBF The Penang International Dragon Boat Festival Committee (PIDBF) in conjunction with the Penang Pesta Dragon Boat Race 2011 cordially invites Crews from around the world to participate in our dragon boat race which will be held at the Teluk Bahang Dam, Penang, Malaysia on 10 and 11 December 2011. This event is fully supported by the Penang State Government and is an affiliated festival of the International Dragon Boat Federation. For your information, Penang has more than 30 years of experience in organizing dragon boat races benefitted with the technical expertise of a large number of experienced IDBF Technical Officials. This race will comply with IDBF Competition Regulations and will be under the IDBF Rules of Racing. All participating crews are required to return the Provisional Entry Form to PIDBF no later than 10 August 2011. The Organizing Committee has made arrangements for a choice of accommodation from 3-stars to 4-stars hotels. All the official accommodation locations are 15 – 20 minutes from the regatta site by car or bus. The cost ranges from US$40 to US$60 per person, per night will include, Airport transfer (for group), Hotel accommodation, Transport to & from race course and Daily breakfast at the hotel. Further information from - [email protected]
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 22.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
ELITE BOAT
Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 23.
IDBF Newsletter, July 2011 – Issue Number 26 Summer Edition
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Dragon Boating. “More than a Sport – A Tradition “ 24.