Toronto Neighbourhood Dragon Boat Challenge Cup

The Rusty Dragons are continuing to promote the participation of local neighbourhood associations in the Canada Day Regatta. The first was in 2013 with the creation of the Harbord Village dragon boat racing team.  This neighbourhood is centred on the area between Bloor and College, and Spadina and Bathurst.  Click HERE for the Harbord Village Residents Association (HVRA) website and HERE for the Rusty Dragons HV team page.

Centre Island - July 1st, 2013 - Harbord Village dragon boat racing team.

Another new team in the works is for the York Quay Neighbourhood Association (YQNA).  Click HERE for their official website, and HERE for the team page.  I attended a YQNA meeting on March 11th which was very informative to me regarding some important issues facing the City of Toronto.  Thank you Ulla and Allan for the invitation.  In this neighbourhood the issues hit really close to home.  They are battling the expansion of the Billy Bishop Airport to include an extended runway and addition of jets. This is a very serious issue that should not be allowed or the noise, traffic congestion, and safety concerns will tarnish our great waterfront and efforts underway to revitalize it.  Check out #NoJetsTO on FaceBook or Twitter.   MPP Rosario Marchese was at the meeting to update us on the issue, answer questions, and also address efforts he is leading to remove the OMB from having jurisdiction over Toronto. The OMB causes huge added expenses for city planners, and taxpayers money at many levels.  We want to allow people to enjoy the waterfront, and forming a dragon boat team from here is one way to enjoy the waterfront and highlight the many uses and values of our waterfront.  I introduced the concept of a team to the participants of that meeting and it was received very well.

The Toronto skyline - as viewed from Centre Island - location of the DDRA Canada Day regatta

There is also the possibility of a team being formed from the Corktown, Bathurst Quay, and Annex neighbourhoods.  If you want help forming a team in your neighbourhood, please don't hesitate to ask.

The teams will compete against each other (for fun) for the Toronto Neighbourhood Dragon Boat Challenge Cup at the 130th annual DDRA Canada Day Regatta at Toronto's Centre Island.  This regatta is open to any recreational teams in Toronto, and is one of the oldest mixed regattas in the world (formed in 1884 for canoe, kayak, and rowers, with dragon boats added in 2003).  Rusty Dragon Tim is the dragon boat coordinator for this event, and organizes Ontario Public Service (OPS) volunteers and their teams at the event.  The OPS teams compete for the OPS Challenge Cup.  But this is another blog entry for another day.

Fitness and Pool Paddling program at AFTERBURN

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted an entry on the Rusty Dragons blog.  SO... as this is going to be quite literally an AMAZING year ahead on so many fronts, I am going to try to share more of what is going on. There are some incredible initiatives under way that will make this year very special to me and our group of coaches, captains, business partners, and volunteers.  And of course OUR PADDLERS, who are the reason we all volunteer our time to bring smiles to their faces.

There is too much on the go at the moment WRT planning to even know where to start, so I will just start with what's on deck right now with paddlers. The Rusty Dragons started their first-ever fitness and pool paddling program on Monday March 8th and it runs for 11 weeks. It is held at Afterburn Performance Fitness (www.afterburnfitness.ca) which is a brand new facility owned by Andrew Liew (a dragon boat coach himself).

Within a week the Monday time slot filled to capacity of over 20 participants, so I am now making arrangements for a 2nd day, likely Thursdays starting March 20th.  The cost works out to under $15 per 2-hour session and includes an hour of fitness work led by Andrew, followed by an hour in their specially built paddle pool coached by me (Tim).  The picture below was taken the week before our first session when we were there to check out the facility.  Pictured (left to right) are Taras, Mohammad, and Anthony.  More pictures coming soon of the whole gang in action.

Program web page: 2014 Pool Paddling Program 

Anyone is welcome to join this program.  We have now had two good practices and are settling into a routine.  Paddlers are from at least 10 different teams, and note that 5 are from the BPS Toronto team (a team for blind or partially sighted paddlers).  I have to mention that Taras himself is an amazingly motivated paddler from the BPS Toronto team.  He is also going to Jim Farintosh's Pines camp in Florida with 21 other Rusty Dragons.  Taras happens to also be deaf (he has tunnel vision).  Anyone can paddle a dragon boat if they want to.

Other initiatives underway (in no particular order) that I will update you on later...

> Florida Camp - Paddle with dolphins in mid-April.

> BPS Toronto - going to the Canadian Championships.

> New Motley Crew team - going to Canadian Championships.

> 130th DDRA Canada Day Regatta. Oldest mixed regatta in the world.

> Balmy Beach Canoe Club - a great practice site for your team!

> Spirit Challenge dragon boat - people with developmental disabilities.

> World Pride dragon boat - A new team that will also be in the parade!

> Colorado Dragon Boat Festival - We're going back... wanna come?

> Toronto Neighbourhood Dragon Boat Challenge!

> OPS Challenge Cup - Ontario Public Service teams.

> How to start your own team - It's easy!  Contact me anytime.

> and much more...

No one else does what we do.  Our objectives are to have fun, get fit, learn good technique, and enjoy the great Toronto waterfront scenery and fresh air.

See www.RustyDragons.ca or contact Tim@RustyDragons.ca or 647-971-7332.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help with anything related to water sports in Toronto, including getting you connected to canoe/kayak clubs, rowing clubs, sailing clubs, outrigger and SUP opportunities, etc.  and dragon boat... ;)  We have connections across the city of Toronto, as well as in Pickering to the east and Hamilton to the west.

Paddles (and Oars) Up!

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

I am looking forward to traveling to Denver in late July to race with Coby and the Flying Dragons at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (http://www.cdbf.org).  The pictures below were provided by Coby (under raised paddle, 4th from back right).  I'll also be there to spend time with Rosalind and Michelle (Raytheon Rowing Racers) and the Kalyn (Unstoppable).  There will be standard Hong Kong style boat races and Taiwan-style boat "flag catcher" (see picture below) races to participate in.

Picture from the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.  They have two Taiwan-style dragon boats they use for Flag Catcher races.  For those of us used to Hong-Kong style boats (BuK, Champion, SRS, Kahlua, Lively-Dragon, etc), these boats look like tanks!  But what a great new experience, which is what it is all about.  The clock stops when the flag is pulled at the end of the race.

See http://rustydragons.homestead.com/2013/2013Colorado.html for details.

If anyone else is interested in going or wants more information, please don't hesitate to let me know.  I am wishing all my friends from Denver and area all the best as they practice and prepare for the festival.  We were all together at the Pines Camp in Florida in April.

Another great Florida training camp...

What an amazing week it was last week (April 14-21) at Jim Farintosh's "Pines Camp" at Indian Harbour Beach near Melbourne Florida.  This was by far the best year yet at the camp.  Jim has structured the camp schedule to maximize the paddle experience as well as offer optional outrigger and coaching courses.  The coaches are some of the best in Canada and the USA. 

Everyone there is focused on becoming better paddlers.  I spent 19 hours on the water paddling in 6 days (dragon boat plus outrigger canoe), which is like two months of practices condensed into one week for a normally twice-a-week paddling team.

We paddled with many dolphins and manatees up close every day in the canal and out in the river.  There were also "Squirrels" on the water (as in Squirrel! from the movie Up!, which was said whenever an elite canoe/kayak paddler (male or female) zipped by the dragon boats.  In past years, we saw Adam van Koeverden and Tom Hall on the water, and other Olympic and national paddlers from several countries.

My typical Monday to Friday schedule consisted of the following...
 > 6:15-7:30am - outrigger canoe (OC-1) paddling with Derek and Dave.
 > 9:00-10:15am - dragon boat practice #1.
 > 10:15-10:45pm - individual dragon boat practice for those interested.
 > 11:00-11:30am - stretch class.
 > 12:00-12:30pm - daily talk on various topics by coaches.
 > 1:00-3:00pm - coaching course with Albert McDonald.
 > 3:15-4:30pm - dragon boat practice #2.
 > 4:30-5:00pm - individual dragon boat practice for those interested.

Other scheduled camp or team items... 
 > Sun. - met as a team for the first time to discuss the week.
 > Mon. - camp social and also picked up our camp jerseys.
 > Mon. - video #1 review in card room.
 > Wed. - video $2 review in card room. 
 > Wed. - team dinner at Bonefish Willies (Rusty Dragons tradition).
 > Thur. - afternoon off >> went to Cocoa Beach / Ron Jon's.
 > Fri. - anyone interested on our team got to try outrigger canoe.
 > Sat. - short warm-up practice then a 2km (2x1km) race.
 > Sat. - camp BBQ and roasting/skits for coaches.
 > Sat. - Lou's Blues for 4 hours of live music and dancing til close!

Loading dock on the canal (with our Pines units in the right)

Old and New Friends...

In addition to the paddling, the icing on the cake is spending a week with the team with no worries (hopefully) of work, rush hour traffic, or other distractions.  It was great to see so many familiar faces from many teams, as well as make new friends.  Plans are already being made for next year.

The 2013 Rusty Beasts (11 Rusty Dragons + 9 Beasts from the East)

Next year...

The Rusty Dragons will likely be going both weeks of the camp in 2014 (full teams of 20 likely through our new club affiliations in the USA and Canada).  Pre-registration will open this summer to start building those teams.  Whether you are a beginner, novice, or experienced paddler, this camp is a great opportunity to take a break from the routine and take it up a notch.  Anyone can do the camp, and anyone is welcome to register.  The camp does not advertise, but relies on word-of-mouth.  This year, the camp filled to capacity in record time (weeks).  If you have any questions about the camp, just ask!

Can't wait for next year...

Spirit Challenge Dragon Boat racing

At the Ministry of Finance Chinese New Year Banquet on February 15, 2013 I was approached by Anny Chow after my dragon boat speech to the 500 in attendance.  Anny is involved in the Spirit of Life (SOL) support organization for people with developmental disabilities. When she heard I support other teams as well as help organize the DDRA Canada Day Regatta at the Toronto Islands, she realized there was a potential partnership that could not only help her organization but the other Spirit Challenge teams as well.

Spirit of Life website: SOL Website

Anny (Past Chair of SOL and still an active member) then introduced me to 
Edward Lau (current president).  We had a long meeting to discuss the history behind the Spirit Challenge division and what they were looking for in an event.  It turns out, we were both in the right place at the right time and were keen to take advantage of this new opportunity.

As a result, I am excited that a framework for a new Spirit Challenge category has been developed for DDRA Canada Day Regatta (budget and race format) and I am working with Aaron at GWN regarding a dock system in support of all paddlers at the event.  There will now likely be a Community Division (3x500m races each team) and a Spirit Challenge Division (1x250m race) at the event.

The Rusty Dragons have committed to sponsor all Spirit Challenge teams at the event (with a $1200 donation), and we are working together with Spirit of Life (and shortly the DDRA) to come up with some additional sponsorship opportunities that we hope can match this donation to help make the event a reality.

Any interested in getting involved in supporting the Spirit Challenge initiative in any way should contact...
     > Tim MacFarlane (Tim@RustyDragons.ca) - cell: 416-319-1867,
     > Edward Lau (edwardlau78@yahoo.com), 
     > Anny Chow (anny,chow@thespiritoflife.ca).

This is shaping up to be a great new part of the special DDRA Canada Day Regatta that is celebrating it's 129th anniversary this summer (started in 1884 for canoe/kayak and rowing clubs, with dragon boats joining in 2003).

Tim

Balmy Beach Dragon Boat Teams

Registration of teams practicing this summer at the Balmy Beach Canoe Club is underway for their two dragons boats. Time slots are available 7 days a week at very reasonable rental rates. Included in team booking packages are use of the facilities, life jackets, paddles, and paddler insurance. See their dragon boat program page at http://www.balmybeachcanoe.com/Programs/dragonboatrentals.aspx or contact me for details at Tim@DDRA.ca.

High School Program
Sara Jones is leading another season of a high school program at Balmy Beach.  The students practice twice a week for 2-hours each practice (using two boats) in the month of May as they prepare for the Pickering Youth (High School) Dragon Boat Championships. See the Pickering festival website at http://www.pdbc.ca/festival/youthchampionships.html.

UTSC Scartan Dragonboat
This enthusiastic group of paddlers have expanded to two boats this year!  Their team co-captains are Carmen, Kevin, and Massey and they are working out the program and regattas.  They practice Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays and their website is: http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~dboat/.

UC Water Dragons
The U of T University College team captains are Albina Tyker and Fransciso Woo, and they are planning out a similar practice schedule to last year.  Their website is http://www.ucwaterdragons.org/.


Hail Mary
This team is still working out their schedule.  Their captain Anna Homem is looking forward to another exciting season for the all-women's team.

Rusty Dragons Kraken Krew
The 8th season of the parents and kids racing crew is raring to go.  They won the "B" Division of the 10th annual DDRA Canada Day Regatta beating out other adult teams by a boat length and we had 9-12 year old paddler on the boat plus their parents.  The team was formed back in 2006 by Tim MacFarlane who has coached them ever since.  See http://rustydragons.homestead.com/2013/2013KrakenKrew.html for more details.

Toronto Regional Office "Tough on the Water"
MTCS "Oars to Discover"
These two teams are running similar programs to last year and announcements will be made shortly.


Contact Tim@DDRA.ca if your team is interested in booking practices at the site.

2013 Canadian Dragon Boat EXPO

I am really looking forward to going to Dragon Boat Canada's 2013 Canadian Dragon Boat EXPO on the weekend of March 2-3 in Montreal (Canal Fitness - 5524 rue St-Patrick, #150). Registration is via Dragon Boat Canada's website at http://www.dragonboat.ca/. The schedule for the two-day event is also available via this site.

I have gone to the last two EXPO's in Toronto as a great opportunity for networking with other coaches, athletes, and event planners. There are many very useful sessions at the conference that are run by top Canadian coaches, medical and nutrition experts, event planners, etc. There are also pool paddling sessions, although to be honest I skip those as I want to maximize time networking at this unique event.

The event will also include the 2013 Canadian Indoor Dragon Boat Championships at 5-7pm Saturday night. There will be at least 7 Pickering Dragon Boat Club athletes and coaches in attendance, including Scott Murray, Andrew Milner, Suzanne Hennig, Jordan Morgan, Patrick Kelly, Tim MacFarlane (me), and Kevin Gale.

Special guests at the event will be Olympian Olympian Elise Marcotte on Saturday and former Montreal Canadian RW Chris Nilan (my FAV team) on Sunday.

In addition to attending the two-days of sessions, I will also be setting up a simple information table there promoting the DDRA Canada Day Regatta (we'd love to have a Montreal area teams come) as well as promoting the concept of kids in dragon boats (including details on my 8th year parents and kids team). 

Fellow PDBC athlete Kevin Gale will also have a table there for his line of Immunotec health products. See his website at http://www.immunotec.com/galefire for details, and contact Kevin if you are interested in any of his products, especially the Immunocal product that boosts your immune system and improves muscle repair with a natural product that boosts your body's production of glutothione. It's great for athletes!

I am car-pooling so if anyone wants to go then please give me a shout, even if it is just to visit good 'ol Montreal!  I will likely be leaving Toronto Friday morning and returning Sunday night.