paddlers’ blog

Congratulations Barrie team for your awesome efforts today!  Even with the wind and rough water, waves coming over both sides of the boat, and having the dragon head fall off the boat during our second race we paddled right through it all.  We stayed together and paddled with power even with the distractions – great work!

Our times of 1:40:92 and 1:40.76 were very consistent, in the second race with the slightly faster stroke rate we took 4 more strokes during the race compared to the first race.

 

It was great to see the whole boat in sync, and doing a such a good job following the steers persons commands.

 

 

We can be proud of our races today, especially the second race when we finished 5 seconds ahead of the team in second place.

Congratulations Team!

 

 

A trained steers person is the most important person in a dragon boat, according to group who produces and consults on dragon boat festivals. http://www.facilitymarketing.com/steeringtips.htm .

 

 

 

 

A good steer should have knowledge of the boat commands, effects of wind and water conditions, and know where to go during practice sessions. The crew’s safety is in their hands.

 

Last year a clinic was run to train new people to be steers people. Having a steers person who is not the coach allows the coach more time to concentrate on things like paddling technique and race procedures.

 

The four steers people in these pictures were part of the clinic last summer and now steer at the morning practices. They do an incredible job. We cross the wake of power boats, navigate dead-heads in low water and never hit the dock nor capsize. Awesome job!

 

 

As a paddler,I would like to thank all the coaches and the steers people for their dedication, patience and training. Oh almost forgot…also thanks for the fantastic start to my day.

The HHP 2018 season got off to a good start on May 28th this year, with approx. 15 am paddlers & 14 pm paddlers, plus three coaches!  Feeling a bit rusty but glad to be out on the water again as paddlers and coaches got back “in the groove” after a long winter lay off (with the exception of course, of the dedicated IB folks!).  A few new technical paddling modifications to be observed this season, so listen closely to our expert COACHES (no, they didn’t ask for this plug!).  First Festival comes up on June 9th at Peterborough – check website – still a few seats left in our boat (if it’s not too late)!  GO HALIBURTON!!

Here’s to another great Paddling season!

The Susannah Foo was launched at 11:00 a.m. today, May 17th. It was an extremely smooth launch thanks to the expert driving skills of Tony Taylor. We had Lois Deacon steering with Ginny Carmichael, Chris Whittemore, Cathy Meades, Carolyn Ellis and Heather Taylor paddling. Phil Meades and Tony Taylor stayed on shore.

Practice starts May 28th.

Make sure you check your email before each practice for cancellations.

 

Many hours of hard work went into getting the “Foo” ready for another season.

She looks Great!

 

 

 

Coming into the dock for the first time in the 2018 paddle season.