Today is the first day of racing for Graham and the rest of the Canadian National Dragonboat Team at the World Championships in Tampa, Florida. I paddled with the team a few times during their final preparations when I was in Vancouver, and despite the EXTREME PAIN of being back in the boat doing sprints after many months off, I felt a little sad about not joining them for the races. This time the team is a true National Team, with team mates coming from Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax. The core of the team is from Vancouver and (thankfully) that is also where the technical model lies, with some ‘eastern muscle’ added in. The Eastern folks will be a lot more acclimatized to the hot humid stickiness of Florida, first reports from Graham says it feels like being cooked (and last year he was in the bamboo steamer that is Hong Kong!)
I will post some results here, but if you just can’t wait, check it out here or here.
Wednesday 3 August 2000m Racing – Standard Boat all Classes
Thursday 4 August 1000m Races – Standard Boat Divisions Open and Mixed Classes and Premier Women.
Friday 5 August 500m Racing – Standard & Small Boats – Mixed.
Saturday 6 August 200m Racing – Standard & Small Boats All Classes
Sunday 7 August 500m Racing – Standard & Small Boats Open & Women’s Classes
Sunday 7 August World Championships Celebration Dinner 6-9 pm at Tampa Convention Center UH-OH!!