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!

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!

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.