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Practice and Race Calendar

PRACTICE AND RACE CALENDAR

Dragon boat festival information updated by Team Manager Mary Visser Kerr
Link to Practices / Summer Training Information

Practices and race season finished for 2011
Watch for new information for 2012 season

Four festivals in 2011 - BreastStrokes' participation

Peterborough View event website	June 11, 2011	Saturday Click here for BreastStrokes race information
Windsor View event website	July 8, 9, 10, 2011	BCS teams on Saturday, Community teams on Sunday Click here for BreastStrokes race information
St. Catharines View event website	July 23, 2011	Saturday Click here for BreastStrokes race information
Stratford View event website	Sept 17, 2011	Saturday Click here for BreastStrokes race information

Team Twitter:
Watch here for last-minute updates
and special announcements!

Bring to races (good plan for practices, too):
changes of clothes and undergarments
something waterproof and warm just in case
2 pairs of shoes (racing footwear gets wet)
a lawnchair, your PFD and paddle
sun screen, mosquito repellent, a HAT, and some tylenol or a pain reliever
money but not your purse to the race site
Health card and some other critical information in case of emergency
some snacks to nibble on after a race or for quick energy before
at least one water (bottle). Usually water is available as you leave the dock after a race.
food is generally provided at noon by the hosting team and we find they provide wraps, fruits, cheeses, crackers, often yoghurt and cookies.

PAR-Q Form
Please download and complete this PAR-Q and submit to
Team Manager Mary Visser Kerr
or to Captain Shelly Watson (or their designates)

Anyone who wishes to paddle MUST complete and submit this form FIRST.

BreastStrokes Waiver
Please download and complete this Waiver and submit to
Team Manager Mary Visser Kerr
or to Captain Shelly Watson (or their designates)

Anyone who wishes to paddle MUST complete and submit this form FIRST.

BreastStrokes has signed with Alkame Dragon Boat Services for coaching services for the 2011 season - we are now working with the Alkame team!

For information on Alkame, click here

Commands
Commands must be spoken loudly and clearly in order for the entire boat to hear. The steerperson must have full control of the boat at all times to ensure that commands are being heard. The less talking in the boat by paddlers the better.
The following are the commands a steerperson and team members must know.

paddles up: Signal for paddlers to assume the paddling position. Paddles should be raised above the water, bodies in position to paddle.
take it away: Signal to start paddling
stop the boat: Paddlers thrust the paddle blades deep into the water at their hip. This helps the steerer to keep the boat stopped.
let it ride: The paddlers stop paddling and rest their paddles on their lap. This is the rest position.
flare the boat: The paddles are horizontal with flat blades resting on top of the water to stabilize the boat. This is used when the boat may face a wave or boat wake, or if the steerer is trying to get his/her balance.
one minute to start: The starter will send that race within that minute. It could range from 5 seconds to 60 seconds or more. It is the steerer's responsibility to listen to the starter and bring the boat up to the starting line once the starter has said one minute to start. Remember your paddlers will be excited but it is your responsibility to make sure they are quiet and you can hear the starters commands.
attention please: This is the steerers cue to tell the paddlers, paddles UP. A good steerperson will have their paddlers ready to go.
air horn: This is the starting signal for your paddlers to start paddling.

Responsibilities of the Team Manager are as follows:
* Communicating and distributing team information to all 25 team members
* Gathering and submitting all necessary forms and waivers for the team
* Act as the liaison with the race committee (only the team manager is to speak on behalf of the team members)
* Team conduct and safety of all team members
* Representation at the race meetings scheduled prior to event date

BreastStrokes Team summer training sessions

PAR-Q Form Please download and complete this PAR-Q and submit to Team Manager Mary Visser Kerr or to Captain Shelly Watson (or their designates) Anyone who wishes to paddle MUST complete and submit this form FIRST.		BreastStrokes Waiver Please download and complete this Waiver and submit to Team Manager Mary Visser Kerr or to Captain Shelly Watson (or their designates) Anyone who wishes to paddle MUST complete and submit this form FIRST.
Our boat is now at Puslinch Lake. Location - just next-door (west) of Old Marina Restaurant (click on link below to view Google map and select Puslinch address) McClintock Dr. R.R. #22, Puslinch Lake, Cambridge Driving south on Hanlon Expressway, Guelph: Turn right at County Road 34/Wellington Road 34 (signs for Wellington Road 34 W) Turn left at County Road 32 Turn left at McClintock Dr Turn right on Elm St., pass the grove of cedar trees and there we are on the left. Please bring your own seat cushion / anti-slip strip, paddle and life jacket to practices. Park on the grassy area (west of the tree windbreak) by the docks area, not in front of the restaurant.
	Practices: Finished for the 2011 season. Boat is in winter storage Practice @ Puslinch Lake is 45 - 60 minutes, depending on conditions and how the team feels. Arrive by 6:30 PM to allow time to warm up and get lined up. We expect to push off the dock by 7:00 PM. Practice will be held regardless of how many participants are available. Practice is rain or shine -- only lightning and thunder will cancel practice. Team members -- please watch for emails or Twitter announcements (see top of this webpage) as late as 5:00 p.m. on day of, regarding cancellation due to weather.

PADDLES UP!