Great Attendance at Annual Safety Session

Each year our team Nothin’ Dragon holds a safety session at City Centre Aquatics Complex (CCAC) in Coquitlam’s city centre.

On The session serves as a review of what to do should the boat capsize. We also review the fitting of our life vest or pfd, and learn other safely procedures. While the session is done predominantly for our new members, it’s a great refresher for long-standing members.

27 paddlers attended the safety session on Feb 15, which may well be a record attendance.

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"The session went well and quickly,” said our safety manager, Bob Walton. “Many thanks to those attending for helping each other in the lesson, and to Neil and Donna Nyberg who ran the show and provided the canoe. Thanks to all the helpers, in and out of the pool, in particular Randy, Dave S, Brian A, Brent, Michele, and Christine. Alumni, newbies and regular paddlers all contributed to a valuable team building exercise."

Thank you Bob, for coordinating this session!

Oddball Fall Classic Race Recap

Our final race weekend of the season was another testament to our improved fitness, coaching, and skill in the boat!

We had two mixed teams racing in Nothin' Dragon Red and Black teams consisting of Trish, Jen, Cindy, Sandra, Mary, Pat W, Elizabeth, Marg, Steve C, Nicole, Darlene Ian, Brian A, Steve M, David W, Mike, Brent J, Willi, Bruce, Helen, Donna, Dave F, Ann, Sally, Lori, Linda, Robbin, Michele, Laney, Julie, Terry, Marianne, Rob, George, Bryan, Pete, Dale, Brent M, Carol, Dave D, Christine, Deb, Jola and Patty,

We enjoyed another great tent location at False Creek thanks to the setup by Brent, Michele and Linda, where we could see race action and the marshaling board at a glance from the tent. Darlene led a great warmup, and at circle time we acknowledged our members who are retiring from the team.

Acknowledged and thanked for their team contributions was Mary, Patty, Bryan, Helen, Pat J and Ann. All have put in many years as paddlers, and are golden members. Saying goodbye to our originals, Ann and Pat is very difficult! Mary's contribution as a secretary for so many years must also get special mention. Our engine room will suffer a huge loss without Bryan, and the solid paddling of Mary, Ann, Pat, Helen and Patty who took various positions in the boat over the years. We thank you, love you, and wish you all the very best in your future!

Oddball Fall Classic race action got underway and both teams felt proud of our first race times, just one second apart. In our second race, both teams dealt with some technical issues from the race management team. Teams were having a hard time hearing the race start, and the Black team got held up by other teams not being in alignment, then the boat drifted, and a buoy was alongside the boat as the start got underway. Drummer and steer called out to the race official to no avail. After the debrief, team Black advised the race management about the issue. Despite a faint start call, Red team placed first in their semi! Our times were almost matched in our second races, and thought for certain we'd be racing against each other in race 3. That was not the case. We were seeded into Division D (Black) and E (Red).

Rain began and for our final races both teams were determined to make it our best, and that we did! Congrats to Team Red who took home a bronze medal for 3rd place in the E Division with a time of 00:59.068; and congrats to Team Black who put in our fastest time for the weekend at 00:56.184.

A big thanks to Coach Denise for having us race-ready, our steers and drummers for navigating, motivating and keeping us on course: Bob, Dave F, Trish, Laney and Sally. Thank you to our assistant captain, Steve C for your leadership!

We all left a little or a lot wet but feeling proud of our accomplishments. Many of us ended up at Legion 263 in Coquitlam to bid Mary, Patty & Bryan farewell.

Race Results:

ND RED

Race 4 - Qualifier

01:01.463

Race 16 - E/F/G Semi

1:02.257

Race 27 - E Final

00:59.068

ND BLACK

Race 5 - Qualifier

1:00.042

Race 19 - A/B/C/D Semi

1:02.881

Race 28 - D Final

00:56.184

Facebook Photos and Video Album

Now it's time to get focussed on our AGM, dryland and our next season, and onboarding newbies.

Congrats to our Team Red for bringing home the bling! Bronze in the E Division.

Annual Safety Session Held at City Pool

Each year our team holds a safety session at City Centre Aquatics Complex (CCAC) in Coquitlam’s city centre.

The session serves as a review of what to do should the boat capsize. We also review the fitting of our life vest or pfd.

We also review how to pull someone from the water.

Thank you to our safety manager, Donna, for coordinating, and to Brent and Steve for helping flip boats.

While the session is done predominantly for our new members, it’s a great refresher for long-standing members.

View more photos and video HERE.

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A great time was had by all!

Results of the 2022 AGM

Nothin’ Dragon Masters held our annual general meeting on Nov. 17 in the Old Mill Boathouse.

Congratulations to returning and new executive members:

• President: Brian Kenny

• Vice President: Brent Murphy

• Treasurer: Willie Savage

• Secretary: Jan Kenny

• Fundraising: Sandra Foubert

• Race Registrar: Denise Nelson

• Captain: Vacant

• Asst. Captain: Steven Chung

Committee members:

• Boat Maintenance: Warren Fox

• Coffee Mornings: Trish and John Wintle

• Facebook: Marjorie Wong

• Dragon Boat Management: Linda Corcoran / Denise Nelson

• Equipment (Tents): Brent Joel / Linda Corcoran

• Membership: Cheryl Plume

• Old Mill Boathouse Liaison: Pat Johnson

• Recycling: Julie Asselstine

• Safety: Donna Nyberg

• Social: Marlene Fox

• Sunshine: Elizabeth Scales

• Uniforms: Laney Bryenton

• Boat Booking Agent: Vacant

Clothing Drive to Support Big Brothers and Team a Success

Dogwood Nothin’ Dragon Masters in conjunction with Big Brothers had a very successful clothing drive the first week of March 2021.

Team members and their family and friends cleaned out their closets and brought over 3000 pounds of unwanted articles to our president Brian’s house! From there, the used articles were delivered to Big Brothers earning the team over $600. Congratulations and thank you to all who helped out.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! If you missed this opportunity or have found more closets to clean out, you can take your unwanted clothing anytime to Big Brothers (221-15 Braid St., Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m). Just say you are with Dogwood Nothin’ Dragon Masters and our account will be credited.

f you have any questions or need help getting your stuff to Big Brothers, please contact a Nothin’ Dragon Teammate.

ACCEPTED ITEMS (Items should be suitable for resale; not soiled or torn)

• All clothing

• Accessories (belts, hats, scarves)

• Purses, wallets, backpacks and bags

• Shoes and boots

• Towels, tablecloths, curtains and linens

• Undergarments, nylons and socks

• Blankets, bedding and pillows

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

• Put all unwanted items in garbage bags

• Tell family and friends and collect their unwanted items, too.

• Contact a Nothin’ Dragon Master

PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE housewares, books, or appliances.

Thank you for your support!

Nothin' Dragon Masters Unveil 2020 Team Photo

Thanks to the photographic wizardry of Joep Olthuis of Shutter Up & Shoot, we’re proud to unveil our 2020 team photo.

While it appears we are standing together for this group shot, each person was photographed individually, and Joep pieced us all together, even providing the stunning backdrop of the inlet and mountains surrounding Rocky Point Park.

2020 has been a tough year for the team, as dragon boating is still docked as a sport. The team has found other ways to keep in shape and stay in touch, with kayaking, online yoga with Dorota and dryland strength training with Coach Kris over Zoom. 

Once a week some of the team meet for distanced coffee chats outside and Thursdays are still legion nights in small distanced groups.

“It was a labour of love for Joep who manipulated us into a cohesive group,” said team president, Brian Kenny. “Besides team members receiving the picture, copies have been given to the mayors of Port Moody and Coquitlam with an enclosed letter focused on our team’s ability to stay together. As seniors, we need support from those in power to consider our demographic when making changes. Also, copies of the picture have been mailed to all of our sponsors who have given us financial support. Their continued support is critical for us to keep functioning as a team.”

Until we can be back on the water, we remain together in spirit!

Nothin' Dragon Takes to Kayaks at Deer Lake

Mohammed must go to the mountain… in our case, the water! Deer Lake, Burnaby that is.

With no dragon boating happening since COVID-19, we’re missing our time on the water, and our time together as teammates and friends!

To that end, we’ve begun kayaking at Deer Lake on Monday nights.

Mondays are usually dedicated to our dryland fitness class (over Zoom) with Coach Kris, but now he’s leading us on kayaking technique, which has some similarities to the dragon boat stroke.

Our first time out on July 13 showed a great turnout and we’ll continue as long as there is interest. We paddled in singles, and married couples on our team paddled tandem. No one capsized and we enjoyed the ducks that got up close and personal – perhaps looking for food?

There is something about being out on the water and seeing friends (teammates) who share the same passion and zest for life to bring back the feeling of team camaraderie!

Another way the team is getting together is through a coffee morning meetup at Rocky Point on Saturdays and a Thursday evening Legion social.

Here is our photo album from kayaking on July 13 thanks to teammates Marjorie and Rob.

Paddles up!

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Paddles up!

Nothin' Dragon Masters Move to Virtual Training

“Dorota’s classes keep our muscles supple and strong!”

The Nothin’ Dragon Masters may be off the water, but we are finding ways to keep our bodies ready for the dragon boat season should it return late summer.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, in March 2020, Dragon Boat Canada recommended all dragon boat training stop, and so we canceled our practices until further notice.

“It was sad news all round that we had to stop training as well as cancel our own dragon boat event, the Inlet Spring Regatta,” said team president, Brian Kenny, “but we are happy to find ways to keep the team connected as well as our fitness in check.”

The team regularly trains in yoga during the offseason with Dorota Budziszewska at Dogwood Pavilion in Coquitlam. Dorota was up for the challenge to get us together virtually, so classes restarted in April via Zoom conferencing.

One team member Ric set a 30-day push-up challenge. Go at your own pace but do it for 30 days. “After being inspired by our friend George I started the challenge a few weeks ago, and am now doing at least 100 push-ups a day, so I'm challenging the rest of the team.” If you feel up for the challenge here’s our calendar you can print to record your progress.

With the dragon boat season looking bleak for a return date, it’s very important for the team to keep in form for general health and easier transition back to the water once the COVID-19 restrictions loosen.

Coach Kris Lepianka leads dryland training on Mondays with isometrics and weights.

The team is also started virtual dryland training on April 27 with Coach Kris Lepianka, which takes place twice a week. His first session of the week focusses on isometrics and strength training, and the second session focuses on paddle technique and endurance.

Kris during paddle technique class on Thursdays.

We can’t wait to get back on the water, but until then our team will stay connected and active, at least three-times a week virtually!

Stay safe everyone!

Nothin' Dragon Masters safety exercise held at Coquitlam pool

While it’s extremely rare that a dragon boat flips, and Nothin’ Dragon Masters have  never experienced a boat flip, it’s always good to be prepared in the event it does happen. 

In 2019 a boat flipped at Harrison Lake, which made most of us think, “What if that was our team?”

More common is the steers falling off the back of the boat  if there is sudden or uneven movement from the boat. We should all be prepared to know how to pull a teammate back onto the boat, the dock, and to know the basics of what to do if a dragon boat should tip over. 

Our annual safety sessions are for this purpose. Two sessions were held in 2020 at City Centre Aquatics Complex on Feb. 18  and March 6 allowing flexibility for schedules. Both were well attended. 

The March 6 evening crew about to get wet at City Centre Aquatics Complex!

A big thanks to Yvonne for providing her canoe to allow for the boat flip exercise which had two people sitting as the boat is capsized. We learned that each paddler must check that they seatmate was okay and then to link arms over the boat (grabbing wrists, not hands) until help arrives. Some also went under the overturned boat to experience the pocket of air that is available in an overturned boat. This is a safer place to be if there is lightning. 

Teammates also practiced pulling someone onto the dock, as well as how to use the throwbags. All life vests were checked for proper fit once wet and in the water, and were adjusted as needed. 

The team thanks Donna for her organization and leadership in the sessions.

The Nothin’ Dragon Masters also thanks the City of Coquitlam for allowing us to use the pool for this important exercise.  

See more photos on Facebook.

Nothin' Dragon Masters Launch New Website

Welcome to our NEW Website!

As an always growing (and aging), dynamic team, we’re always looking at new ways to improve, and have easy access to information that is important to us.

We hope you enjoy our new website created by our assistant captain and shutterbug Robbin Whachell. It is our intention to keep the public, our sponsors, our family, friends, and fans up-to-date on our schedule, our upcoming events, and our achievements.

”I’d like to first and foremost thank past member, Peter Newell who took our team to new heights when he created and managed our first website!” said team president Brian Kenny. “Peter, we owe you a debt of gratitude for all you have done for so many years! We can’t thank you enough.”

The new website once again offers the team members a private back end area for members. One of the key features of the public frontend is the automated calendar for our events: races, clinics, fundraisers, meetings and events. The upcoming calendar placement will show first in that section ( as well as on our home page).

Check back often!

While you’re at it please follow us on social media. Our links are at the bottom of each and every page. We’re on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.

Nothin' Dragon Masters address Port Moody Council

On July 16, 2019 Brian Kenny, president of the Nothin’ Dragon Masters and chairman of the Inlet Spring Regatt spoke to Port Moody City Council requesting a three-year extension for our annual dragon boat event.

He was supported by members of the team.

A brief overview on the success of the first two years of the event was given, as well as airing the drone video footage of our 2019 event shot by Jon Ross Films.

The request was later granted, and the Inlet Spring Regatta has been approved for 2020, 2021, and 2022

Nothin’ Dragon president, Brian Kenny speaks to Port Moody Council.

Port Moody Council

All were impressed by the aerial drone footage shot by Jon Ross Films in 2019.