President's HIghlights June 5th-2008

HAPPY JUNE, Dragon Boat members.

We have to keep telling ourselves it is June despite the April weather!!We are well into our 08 season now and the pace is starting to pick up...both in the water and out...or is that just me trying to catch up to all you well-conditioned, toned muscled paddlers .
Our first month of special practices for new members has been busy and included an exciting Sunday, June 1st, when our big boat, the Millennium, arrived from Victoria. It is great to hear the positive comments from paddlers who are enjoying ‘her’ {shall we call it Millen or Millie or Desert Dragon 2 (DD2?)}. A big thank you to paddlers for coming out for the arrival, and for supporting our new members during their first month of dragon boating!!Having the big boat affords us the luxury of using either boat, depending on the numbers out and the weather conditions. If you haven’t had a chance to paddle in the Millennium yet, get on out to practice with your selected team so the boat goes out. It will take some experimenting for each of us to find the most comfortable seat in this boat. Our minimum numbers to take the boats out will be 12 for the Millennium and 8 for Plastex . It would be fantastic to see both boats out some nights so we can start getting into the fun and excitement of the race mode!!

NEWS ITEMS FROM DIRECTORS AND COACHES/STEERERS MEETINGS:1. RACE REGISTRATIONS: July 5 – Okanagan Sprints (250 meters)- Penticton- Mixed Team (ladies team possible if sufficient interest.) July 12- Ladies Race- (500 meters)- Kelowna September 6&7- Annual Penticton Dragon Boat Festival- ( 500 meters) - Mixed Team *September 10-13 – B.C. Senior Games – deadline for Seniors Team registration- July 10- participants, non- participants- July 22

2. SCHEDULE AND TIME CHANGES:Beginning next week, June 9, we will start a slightly revised schedule. Please make a note of the following general schedule and time changes in an effort to accommodate most paddlers ,and we hope, give each coach at least one or two opportunities to paddle as well. : *(there may be the odd change when coaches or steerers are away.) All paddlers should try to get in a minimum of two and a maximum of 3 practices a week, ideally allowing one day between hard workouts for muscle rest and repair.
Mondays: New Time- 6:15 pmOpen Paddle: for any member who wishes to get in extra stroke or conditioning or pure pleasure practice.Coaches: Sharon P/Marg d. Steerer: Mike d.

Tuesdays: New Time – 6:15 pm Mixed Team: those members wishing to condition and practice with the Mixed Racing TeamCoach: Marg C. Steerer: Tom B.
Wednesday: New Time- 6:15 pmLadies Team: for those members wishing to condition and practice with the Ladies Racing Team.Coach: Jackie G Steerer: Guiv G./Bob S.

Thursday: Same Time - 8:45 am Seniors Team: for those members 55 or older who wish to condition and practice with the Seniors racing Team.Coach: Marg C. Steerer: Mike d.

Friday: New Time – 6:15 pmMixed Team: for those members wishing to condition and practice with the Mixed Racing TeamCoach: Jackie G. Steerer: Mike d.

3. RELAY FOR LIFE: JUNE 21-22 REGISTER NOW – ON-LINE OR SEE INGRID.

We need quite a few more members to join our Relay for Life Team for this special event. Our club has entered this event for the past two years and we hope to have a good turnout again this year. It is for a worthy cause, it is lots of fun, giving us time to socialize and get to know our members and townsfolk better. Sign up now or tell Ingrid you are interested.

4. CHERRY FIESTA PARADE: JULY 1.We would appreciate three members volunteering to help the Marketing Committee (Wendy-chair) in preparation for an excellent showing of our Club on July 1st. Because we have “Stanley”, our handsome dragon, there are only a few logistical details that the Committee needs to handle. We have won several special ribbon awards for our participation in the past and just received a certificate from the Town of Osoyoos for our contribution to the ‘fabric of life’ in the area. So let’s book this day to participate and advertising our Club. We have some of our bright cotton yellow shirts and a few ‘wick’ available for sale so if you need one, please see Wendy or Sue T. at practice. That’s all for now, paddlers. If you have questions about any items above, talk to one of the coaches or board members*. *2008 Member Handbooks ( and updates) will be out shortly. See you on the water. Remember, dragon boating is team spirit! Jackie

A letter form the President -April 26th

Good morning, Everyone. We had such a good turnoutlast Sunday to clean and move the boat to the Holiday Inn Marina that Tom B. had to chauffeur a car back to the hotel, and Sue and Peenta enjoyed a free ride in the front of the boat. Peenta may want to come every time now. It was great fun, and interesting to feel the three different water temperatures, from not bad in Solana Bay to cool out into the lake proper, to chilly in the under the bridge. The wind was blowing the water a bit choppy but the crew looked like they’d never been away. We put Plan B into operation for dinner as it was too windy and cool to have a fire on the beach so Guiv and Linda stoked up the BBQ’s at her place and we had great appies, hot dogs, salads, baked beans, desserts, and all the trimmings. A few games of shuffleboard and darts added to a good time by all. Huge bouquets to Adele and Hal once again for providing a winter home for Desert Dragon, to Linda and Guiv for being such gracious hosts. All and all, a wonderful kickoff to the exciting 2008 season ahead.

OPEN HOUSE: Just a reminder that the Open House and Introductory Clinic for new members will be held Saturday, May 3rd, 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Holiday Inn. We hope to see many of you out in your yellow shirts to welcome new members to our Club and help with one on one stroke tutoring and taking the boat out.
We will need a number of people out at 11:00 am to help set up the tent and prepare the site for the session starting at 1:00 pm with registration.
** Remember, there may be a bonus for the member who brings the most, new, permanent members into the club each year.

.

Preisdent's Highlights's #2 April 2nd. 2008

HAPPY SPRING, everyone...but maybe it’s an April Fool’s joke??

THE PUSSYWILLOWS ARE FINISHED, THE DAFFODILS AND IRISES HAVE POKED OUT OF THE GROUND, BUT WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY THAT WHITE STUFF KEEPS COVERING OUR MOUNTAINTOPS AND CHILLING THE AIR TEMPERATURE? JUST WHEN I GET THE URGE TO TEST THE WATER, IT HAPPENS AGAIN.

Perhaps a better description for this time of year is: It’s Spring in the sunshine and winter in the shade!
NEWS FLASH

“It’s a couple of birds…no, it’s a couple of kayaks…no, it’s a couple of canoes…no, it’s a couple of dragon boats.... and they’re both full of paddlers having a terrific time conditioning and racing.”

Yes, Members, exciting news. We have secured a big boat! The Board and Special Committee took advantage of the Demo Dragon Boat Sale from Go Rowing and Paddling, and purchased one of the 47’ used, fibreglass Millenium boats. Bob S. and Henry J. made a quick trip (18 hr. day) to Victoria to scrutinize the boats, which were going fast, and selected the one in best shape. We feel this boat, with a few scratches and nicks which are being repaired, is better value for $9800 plus taxes than a brand new one for $18,000 plus taxes. Our Club will also benefit from piggy-backing on a shipment of boats going to Princeton so our delivery price will be greatly reduced. We hope to take delivery of our Millenium by the end of the month but by first week of May at the very latest. We will have 24 paddling spaces in the big boat to fit a whole racing team comfortably and have the small boat available for training new members and practice races. Big thanks to Bob and Henry for their time and energy!! So avid paddlers, let’s get busy recruiting more new members for our Open House on May 3rd. I hope to see five new ladies from Oliver, and Tom B. has recruited one new man from Osoyoos. Can you match us?? There just might be a super prize for the member who recruits the most new members for 2008.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
1. Regrets:A)The Board has accepted, with regret, Margaretha H. resignation, for personal reasons, from the director’s position. Margaretha, we look forward to seeing you at Club functions and really hope your shoulder will allow you to paddle with us this year and in subsequent years. Perhaps you will be able to accept the position of Director in the future. The Board will operate with seven directors for the time being but would welcome and appreciate hearing from any interested members who might wish to serve as director on the Board for the 2008-2009 seasons. All Director’s meetings are open and we invite anyone interested to sit in to get an idea of Board work.

B)Margaret d S. sends her regrets that she will not be able to coach or paddle until such time as her doctor gives her the okay. We hope the specialist will track down the problem very soon and we will see her lovely white head in the boat as soon as possible. Until then, Marg, we send you our positive, healing energy and wish you a very speedy recovery. We hope to see you also at Club functions as much as possible.

2. TCPM DAY: Prior to the Open House on May 3rd, we will be hold a TCPM Day on Saturday, April 26 @ 3:00 p.m. to Turn, Clean, Wash and Move the boat to the Holiday Inn, followed by a Wiener Roast on the beach at at Rachel's- contact a member for directions. Within walking distance of the Holiday Inn (weather permitting.) Please bring your own beach chairs, roasting rods or sticks, and drink.
Please advise Rachel by email -if you can bring one of the following: a package of wieners, a package of buns, a jar of hot dog relish, a jar of mustard, and, of course, marshmallows.

3. FIRST PADDLE: There will be two paddles for members the week before the Open House, Monday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 30 @ 5:45 p.m. This will give members time to get registered and tuned up a bit before taking out new paddlers on May 3rd.

4. OPEN HOUSE: Just a reminder that the Open House and Introductory Clinic for new members will be held Saturday, May 3rd, 1:30 to 4:00 pm at the Holiday Inn. We hope to see many of you out in your yellow shirts to welcome new members to our Club and help with one on one stroke tutoring and taking the boat out. We will need a number of people out no later than 12:30 p.m. to help put up the tent.

5. FUNDRAISING: Given our positive financial situation, the Board felt there was no real need at this time to pursue the cookbook project. We suggest continuing with the Elks Bingo if it runs this year, and if October is available. However, as we seem to have been bumped from October to December, we have declined participation at this time.

6. SENIORS RACING TEAM:
A) A big thank you to members who provided baking for the Zone 5 Bake Sale last month in Penticton, despite rather late notice. B) We have booked 20 rooms at the Ramada Inn at a reduced price of $104.00 per night, double occupancy, for the BC Senior Games, September 10-13. As the Ramada has a 30 day cancellation policy, and accommodations were rapidly disappearing last month, we felt it was wise to book immediately. Once practices get underway, we can work on firm commitments from those able to take part in the Senior Games. Both Penticton and Kelowna have Senior teams and have been in touch with our club regarding some fun race preparation activities. Kelowna Seniors are working on adding a Master’s Race to the Kelowna Women’s Race on July 12. This would enable most of our men to take part in the racing that day in addition to their role as the best –looking cheerleaders on the beach. ***********************************************************************Paddlers, it won’t be long now until we are on the water again. Enjoy the sunshine warming our lake and encouraging us to get fit for paddlling. Delight and I are still pole-walking on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Time changes to 2:30 pm next week, Tuesday, April 8th. We meet at the Holiday Inn Marina on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Join us and get a good workout on the beach. If you can’t make these times, be sure to get out there in the sun working those arms and legs. Remember, dragon boating is team spirit! See you soon.Jackie

DRAGON BOATING ON OSOYOOS LAKE

DRAGON BOATING ON OSOYOOS LAKE
It’s a large bird…,no, it’s a kayak…, no, it’s a canoe,…no, it’s a long yellow and green boat with a dragon’s head. It’s the Dragon Boat. Yes, the ice is off the lakes, and colorful, sleek, quiet, dragon boats will soon be seen gracing the waters of Okanagan lakes. On Osoyoos Lake, there may even be two brightly colored dragon boats evident this summer. Members of the Osoyoos Lake Paddling Club have been hard at work fundraising and seeking sponsors for two years in order to purchase a second, larger dragon boat to accommodate the growing numbers of paddlers in the Osoyoos-Oliver-Keremeos area. The local club concluded the 2007 season with a total of seventy-one members and supporters, and fifty active paddlers. Participants, 18 to 80 years young, had a healthy season of work and play on the water, paddling several times a week from early May until late September. Racing crews from the local club attended Dragon Boat Festivals in Kelowna and Penticton and paddlers are still reliving the thrill of keeping the dragon boat upright while wildly crashing through four foot waves in Penticton to finish one second behind the lead boat. The Desert Spirit Senior Crew attended the 2007 B.C. Senior Games in Nanaimo, experiencing the variances of ocean currents for the first time, and bringing home a bronze medal in the B Event. In the world of dragon boating at this time of year, men and women, seniors, and juniors at the local, provincial, national, and international levels, are hard at work conditioning their muscles in preparation for the coming season of racing, and Osoyoos Lake dragon boaters are no exception. Conditioning for local paddlers takes several forms: workouts at Vengence gym or Curves, skiing and snowshoeing, jogging, racket-ball, bowling, and sand pole-walking. Last week, an on-looker humorously shouted at a small group of sand pole-walkers exercising on Cottonwood Beach, “Haven’t you forgotten your skiis?” To which, a paddler retorted, “Check out our arms and buns in a month.” Members of the local Dragon Boat Club are presenting their Open House Introductory Clinic and Annual Registration on Saturday, May 3, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Marina in Osoyoos. No specific level of fitness or swimming competence is required to learn dragon boating, just a commitment to practices, and a desire for a lot of fun. Come out on May 3rd to meet experienced paddlers, learn more about the sport, safety and equipment, the paddling stroke, and have some fun in the boat. Club paddles and lifejackets are provided for people attending the clinic. The Club warmly welcomes new members and holds special practices for the first month for all novice paddlers. Watch for more specific details in Open House posters around Osoyoos, Oliver, and Keremeos. JG

President's Highlights #1- 2008

Welcome to the 2008 season of Dragon Boat Racing. Can you sense the restlessness in the air and the smell of smoke as the Dragons in the Valley begin to stir, stretch, and snort, anxious for their early spring grooming to begin, and looking forward to their first dip in the lake, from their cozy winter hiding places.



Although Osoyoos Lake is still partially covered with ice, it won't be long before the warm spring sunshine opens the waters and encourages paddlers to our Desert Dragon . I want to welcome Margaretha and Rachel to the Board of Directors as our two new Directors-at-Large. Thanks to Wendy, Maurice- Director's at large, Sharon - Treasuer, Linda- Secretary, and Marg. Vice President for letting their names stand for Executive Officers once again.

Your 2008 Board of Directors is at work already, lining up Club activities for the new season. The 2008 Annual Calendar is attached to the email sent to everyone for your information. The Equipment Comm. will soon be putting the final maintenance touches on the boat and paddles in preparation for the season. The Membership Comm. is busy updating Membership Records and will soon be preparing the Registration Package for new members, requires two more members to assist with these important jobs. please call or email Jackie or Linda to help wit this committee. WE NEED YOU!

PADDLERS, THE SEASON IS UNDERWAY! THINK SUN, THINK FUN,DO EXERCISE.





Paddles-up!

Pole Walking- Let's Get Ready to Paddle!

Pole walking in the sand with Marg and /or Jackie at the Holiday Inn Beach Marina on Tuesdays and Fridays at 2:30 PM starting April 8th. It burns 30% more calories than regular walking, tightens your core , strengthens your legs and is a great cardio work-out! Wear Runners, layered clothing, bring walking poles or ski poles.

2008 Prince George Seniors Games

The dates this year are September 10-13, 2008.

Membership fees are $15.00 with Participant fees $50.00 and non-participant fees ( guests and spouses) at $35.00 which includes the banquet and box lunches at the venues. Additional fees are assessed in some sports to help out the Host Society with extra costs such as umpires, facilities and some sports ,one of which is Dragon Boating.

Be sure to attend the Society's AGM Thursday night in Prince George. And don't forget the Recognition Banquet after the Games in Westbank to pick up your assistance cheques. note that you must sign in at ehe Zone 5 Accreditation table in Prince George to qualify for the cheque.