Haliburton Highlands Paddlers

Dragon Boating in Haliburton County

paddlers’ blog

Paddlers support Skate Park

The Haliburton Highlands Paddlers  have entered a mixed team in the Barrie Festival for this Saturday, August 25th.  Our fundraiser for this event is the Haliburton Skate Park (Haliburton Junction Skate Park).  It is a facility for all ages, not just for youth with skateboards, but elderly folk in wheelchairs, walkers etc.

Joannie Ransberry and Cathy Boake volunteered to take care of this fundraiser.  Joannie will be attending the Wednesday evening practice this week.  If anyone would like to contribute to this wonderful, local cause, please bring cash or cheque to the practice on Wednesday and give it to Joannie. If you are not a Haliburton Highlands Paddlers but wish to help paddlers support the park please feel free to contact info@haliburtonhighlandspaddlers.ca

Cheques made payable to :  Municipality of Dysart et al.

If you donate $50.00 or more, you will receive a tax receipt.  If this applies to you, please ensure that your name, postal address and physical address are shown with your donation.

We are wishing the team a great day.

Paddles up!

Heather

New Steers People

 

 

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.

Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival – June 9, 2018

Haliburton Highlands Paddlers had a successful day at the Peterborough festival.  We came second in both 400 m heats (yes, 400 metres!).  Our best time was 148.88 sec.  Although we did not qualify for the Community Mixed final, we were happy with our results.  Our thanks to “Dawn Stoutley, Photography” (‘Auntie Dawn’ to Lauren Forbes), who took many pictures of the team in action.  Thanks also to our COACH Scotty Boyd and last but not least, thanks to our wonderful team who raised $3398.40 for Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s Breast Assessment Centre.  Well done Paddlers!

Submitted by Carolyn Ellis

Note: More photos from this Festival will be posted shortly under the “Galleries” tab of the HHP website!

First Paddles of 2018!

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 is launched!

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!

 

 

Let it ride

 

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

Launch 11 am May 17 2018


Yesterday afternoon, the prep work for the Foo was completed. The exposed wood now has 7+ coats of varnish, the bottom received a coat of anti-fouling paint and the floor has a new coat of white deck paint. She’s looking good and ready to go.

To Phil, Tony and those of you who made time to help out, a real big thank you. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and helpful in getting ready for the coming season.