Thursday 3 December 2015

10th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Party

On the evening of Saturday November 28, 2015 we held our 10th anniversary party at Boston Pizza (Beaches) not too far from our practice site.  It was attended by almost 50 people who represented many of our 19 teams this past season.  Besides good food and drink, we had a number of lucky draws and also handed out some awards.

A 16-page Rusty Dragons 10th Anniversary booklet was also presented which included lots of information and statistics for reference.  While that booklet will be made public, here are some excerpts from the booklet...


Highlights of our 2015 season 
(12 events - 28 team registrations to them)

1. Puerto Rico DB Festival (Jan 31) – Small boat, on Lagos Cerillos.
    Rusty Dragons (open team) – 4th place!

2. Florida Camp (April 12-19) - in Indian Harbour, FL
    Rusty Dragons - 3rd place in 2000m of 18 teams over two weeks!

3. Milton regatta (May 23)
    Sight Unseen – Qualifier for Nationals.

4. St Catharines (June 13)
    Sight Unseen / Pink Crusaders (bronze)

5. Canadian Championships - Dragon Boat Canada (June 26-28)
    Sight Unseen (gold / national BPS Champions)!

6. DDRA (OPS) Canada Day Regatta at Toronto's Center Island (July 1)
    11 Teams (gold / silver / bronze / trophy)!

7. Hamilton Waterfest (July 4)
    Motley Crew (gold in a gutsy final race)

8. Montreal Challenge (July 25-26)
    Motley Crew – great road trip / team building.

9. Pan Am Club Crews (Aug 14-16) – Small boat in Welland, ON.
    Sight Unseen (gold) / Are We There Yet (silver)

10. GWN Dragon Boat Challenge (Sept 12-13)
     Five Teams / Sight Unseen (gold and trophy)

11. Christie Lake Conservation Area (Sept 26)
     OPS Barracudas (merged w/teams) – medals!

12. 27 KM River Run (Oct 3)
     Not a race / huge headwind / 11 paddlers!  We survived!






Statistics from 2015 to Ponder...


  Unique Teams   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   19
  Unique Regattas Entered  - - - - - - - - - - -   11

  Regatta-team Registrations   - - - - - - - - -   28
  Total Practice Hours   - - - - - - - - - - - -  175

  Total Number of Races    - - - - - - - - - - -   90
  Total Distance Raced (m) - - - - - - - - -   74,500

  Total Paddler Registrations    - - - - - - -    508
  Number of Coaches  - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   13

  Total Sets Medals Won  - - - - - - - - - - - -   20
  Total Medals & Trophies  - - - - - - - - - - -  343

  Total Fees Collected  - - - - - - - - - - - $52,800
  Spirit of Life fundraising  - - - - - - - - -  $900

  Year-end Balance (Nov25) - - - - - - - - - -   $822



Recognition Awards

Many people were thanked at the event, especially our coaches.  Team captains were also key in taking care of their teams, as well as our many volunteers.  Six people stood out as going above and beyond for the team, club, and/or paddlers...


  1. Myra Rodrigues - Broad and detailed support for the blind team.
  2. Estelle McCalmont - coaching and officiating support. 
  3. Ingrid Schurr - team and paddler support, race jersey design. 
  4. Edwin Huang - club support , community outreach.
  5. Valerie Mills - long-term club support, Florida Camp support
  6. Lele Chiu - long time club support and Canada Day support.



Highlights of our past ten seasons 

  • Balmy Beach Canoe Club (home sweet home)
  • Florida Training Camp (Space Coast DBC)
  • Kraken Krew (Parents and Kids team) – 2006+
  • Puerto Rico / Colorado / Phoenix / Las Vegas
  • Corporate & Community World Championships in ‘07
  • Great White North events – The gold standard
  • Lively Dragon events – Christie Lake, River Run
  • Canada Day Regatta – Rusty Dragons are host!
  • Canadian Championships – 2014/15 BPS Champs
  • Pan Am Club Crew Championships – BPS Division
  • Formation of our blind team – 2013
  • Formation of the Pink Crusaders (BCS) team - 2014
  • Afterburn Fitness (paddle pool) – Andrew Liew
  • One Gorgeous Boat / 2014 World Pride Parade