Montreal DragonFly

Ciao team!

 How goes how goes?  I hope that you all had a great weekend…  as for me, it was so great that…  I feel my body aching all over from it!  For those that came to practice last Friday, you’ve noticed that Jennifer wasn’t coaching us.  It’s because that the Bassin needs Jennifer to be CPR certified before she can coach again at their facilities.  Anyways, it’s an issue with PJD.  Till then, we have Sylvain who you’ve met at last Friday’s practice.

 I must admit that his trainning techniques is different from the past coaches…  but, I did enjoy last Friday’s practice where we so focused on our major CORE muscle…  the BACK!  I don’t know about you, but, I’m still working on twisting & using my back…  and not rely on my arms so much.  I’ve already felt my back aching yesterday…  but, today, even my abs, I felt today….  It was definitely a great practice!  Little things to remember:

• Make sure that your paddle is FULLY in the water.  Only then, you’re actually moving the water.
• Remember the 3 steps before putting your paddle in the water & pull, 1- reach, 2- reach more 3- reach even more and then put paddle in the water…  and then PULL.
• Always stay in synch.  The boat moves faster when the whole team is in synch together then a team with lots of power but off synch.

A little note that Jennifer told us at one of her practice, since the paddling pool is not design accordling to a DB.  You’re sitting way above the water at the paddling pool then when you’re actually in a DB.  So, what lenght of paddle that you’re used to in a DB, add 1-2 inches to it.  This way, you can reach more & actually manage to put your paddle fully in the water.  Also, you’ll be splashing A LOT LESS!  And you know what?  It’s true!  I usually use a 47” when I’m outside…  but, since Jennifer told me that…  I’ve been taking the 48″ at the paddling pool…  and I’ve been splashing less and I’m MORE DRY then usual,  Anyways, just a little note.

 With that said, which coach do-you prefer???  Jennifer or Sylvain?  Now, that’s the question?

Also, if you haven’t notice, we’re short in women on our team.  If you know of any girls who have any paddling experience and are interested in joinning a team, keep-us posted!

Nancy

Ciao!

 As you must have already noticed, Vicky has sent-out a bunch of e-mails on this topic…  I’m here to put-it all in one post instead of a godzillion e-mails…  and then, you’ll lose track of it.  This way, you’ll have all the info in one spot.  Sounds good, no?

Also, I think that you should check both sites to have a better idea to pick from 22Dragons and Montreal DB Festival who are  working with the Bassin.  Montreal DB Festival committe are working with PJD to have DB there.  Do note that if we’re at 22Dragons, we won’t need to worry about the CITY increasing cost & last minute rulings.  We would be working directly with 22Dragons. 

 Note that the 35$/hr at PJD is only good for Fridays.  All other nights, it’s 50$/hr.  Also, if you consider that every member on the team has to purchase an access card…  we’re about 23 paddlers…  that’s about 460$/team.  That would even out the extra cost of 22Dragons…  also, save on parking pass and for those taking the metro, it’ll save you time getting there.  Keep-in mind that the following year, the PJD will most likely increase the cost of the parking pass…  and there’s rumours that they’ll be charging twice a year for the access card…  20$ for winter session and 20$ for the summer session… = close to 1000$/team just on access cards.

I know that it might be too late in the season to mention but, the 22Dragons indoor facilities are more geared for DB while PJD is geared for the canoe club and they just adapted the pool for DB.  If you go visit their indoor facility, their paddling pool fits 24 paddlers at once where the coach can reach you on either rows.  You sit at the correct height for dragonboating…  meaning that you can actually position your legs properly and actually push with your legs.  They have a lounge area equipped with a TV & DVD players for teams to get together, have meetings & view their videos to check-out their technics.

 Also, note that the 22Dragons facility is located next to a bicycle path…  there’s plenty of room for us to run!  Also, we’re right next to the indoor public swimming pool at Centre Gadbois for those that like to swim.

 Anyways, food for thought.  Check below for all of Vicky’s e-mails.  I’ve also attached the response that I got from Matt, one of the people in charge from 22Dragons for those who were concern about the water conditions.  Remember that you have to reply back to her by Friday!

Nancy

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Hi DragonFly,I spoke with Jennifer on if she can coach us for outdoor practices.  But unfortunately due to schedule conflict she is unable to coach us on our regular Friday night timeslots.  The only timeslot that she can do is on Monday nights from 7-8pm or 7:30-8:30pm.  It appears to me that many of you are restless with the way PJD has been treating us and want out of PJD.  Kevin, Nancy and I have gone to 22 dragons to see their options.  But I also ask Sunny to see if they can get us a good coach on Fridays.  We can see how Sylvain is this week and if he wants to coach us outdoors later.Here are the facts on cost and differences between 22 dragon and PJD.
22 Dragon                                                                   PJD
========                                                                 =======
boat rental $55/hr                                                    $35/hr (can get up to 90mins if coach agrees)
coach $35-$45                                                           $45-$65+tax
Location - 5min from downtown can take bus      On PJD 10-15min walk from metro
bus from Monk, de l’Eglise and Place St-Henri
or 15min walk on St-Patrick
Course - water is on Lachine Canal, water            Water is on the Bassin, course is wider
conditions are not best still has pollution and        and water is not polluted.
can get eye infections if not careful but if you
eye protection should be fine.
Parking - Free parking on site                                 Need to pay parking meters                                                                                      or get parking pass for $100 a year.

Access card - none                                                     $20/DB year (Nov-September)

 Please respond to only one answer only thanks:

1) Switch to 22 and train on Monday nights with Jennifer
2) Switch to 22 but stay with Friday night and get a new recommended coach
3) Stay with PJD and get a new recommended coach
4) Fine with any decisionPlease let me know ASAP but by Friday the latest.Thanks,

Victoria

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Hi All,Apparently I think when I wrote polluted I might have scared people.  I got more info on the conditions of the water in the Lachine Canal.The level of water pollutions is the same level as in beaches.  People can swim in the canal.  It’s not the best water but it’s actually ok as long as you shower after paddling and don’t rub your eyes with the water like any water people swim with.  It’s the same water we raced in the Lachine Knockout and 20km challenge and similar to the conditions when we practices at Parc Radisson.Also I forgot to mention that with the Lachine Canal you can paddle a whole 7km without needing to turn around.  The boats in the Lachine Canal are more spotif and competive and constantly race against each other every practices.  The boats in PJD are more recreational and racing against other boats happens only closer to race dates.Also current parking passes can still be used for races being held at PJD.  A days pass cost about $15 a day so $60 already goes to 4 days of racing.But of course leaving PJD also means loosing some perks like possibly getting a free 250m race at the MTL festival(not guaranteed though) as we are no longer under MIDBF for summer.  But the question lies in you do you want the possible benefits from MIDBF and nicer water but look for a new coach or to be in a more competitive environment while practicing and keeping the same good coach.

Please send me your responses ASAP and if you want to change your response that is allowed:)

Cheers,

Victoria

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Hi All,Last email promise.  Some asked me why not do practice Mondays at PJD we could but the boat rental cost will be double so instead of $35/hr it’ll be $70/hr.  If you want to stay in PJD and want Jennifer then we have to pay $20 more per session than Lachine which is at $55.Cheers,Vicky

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NO! This never happens!

The water on the Lachine Canal is fine. It is monitored by Environment Canada, who are extremely cautious, strict and sensitive.  The water is clean enough to swim in (less than 200 Units of fecal coliform bacteria per 100ml), and on some days even meets the standards for drinking water (less than 10 UFC/100ml) .  The water circulates daily ever since they re-opened the locks 8 years ago. Typical levels of less than 10 to 40.

The issue with the canal does not lie with the water, but rather with the bottom of the canal.   The bed of the canal contains chemicals, but these are covered by about 3-4 feet of compacted sediment and as paddlers do not affect you.  Because of this Parcs Canada does not allow swimming, or motor boats to go over 10 km per hour. These actions are to prevent the canal bed from being disturbed.

The only time the water quality is compromised is when there is torrential rain.  Torrential rain can cause run-off from shores or sewers. In the rare case that this happens Environment Canada will shut the canal, just like they would shut any public beach.  It is not uncommon for beaches to be shut after heavy rain.

As for the eye-infection, I could not say.  It often only takes one bad story to ruin a reputation. This individual may have had a tiny cut in his eye, or just really bad luck. This kind of thing could happen anywhere, and be totally un-related to the canal, but the canal makes for an easy explanation.  I, along with the rest of our coaching staff have spent thousands of hours on the canal and are completely fine.

Matt

Matthew Smith
22dragons / Canal Fitness
Phone / Tél: 514-509-1032      Cell: 514-617-2284
Fax / Télec: 514-509-7208  
5524 St-Patrick Street, #150
Montréal, Québec, H4E 1A8
matt.smith@22dragons.com

www.22dragons.com     www.canalfitness.ca

Ciao Dragonflyers!

 Was-it just me or was-it more intense then last week’s practice???  All in all, it was a great practice!  I love it that practice finished with a great big bang…  meaning that 1 min session of high pace…  needless to say, none of us can keep up with Ramy…  none of us was in synch!  Definitely, it’s something to work on!

 Pointers in this practice were:

• Since the water is much more shallow then the actual boat, use a paddle that is about 1-2 inches longer to avoid splashing and to get a better reach.
• Keeping upper arm straight, outside of boat and applying power down on the paddle, this will be help us lift the boat and this will get the boat moving.  Note: MUST KEEP PADDLE STRAIGHT to make this work!
• Must avoid splashing!  Splashing means that our blades aren’t fully in the water when we’re pulling it = we’re just pulling AIR!  If you want to get a boat moving, you don’t want to pull AIR, right?

Anyways, that’s it for now!  Enjoy the weekend!

Nancy

Ciao DragonFlies!

 I have to admit that it was a great practice…  and loving the new coach.  As most of you have noticed…  practices with Jennifer have been more focused on techniques then anything else.  Just because the pace and the endurance is slower, it doesn’t mean that it’s time for us to slack-off.  This is just the time for all of us to focus on the basics…  learning how to do proper techniques before going foward.  I know that there’s lots to work on and lots to remember.   With time and lots of practice, we’ll get better….  and we’ll reach our goal to beat our race time from last year which was 2.17 min in a 500m race.  I think that Vicky mentionned that this year goal is 2.15min.

 Anyways, here are some pointers to focus on what Jennifer had mentionned during last practice:

• When paddling, put your weight outside of the “boat”.  This is to make the boat lighter when paddling.
• If you notice that when you put your paddle in the water and that your paddle is going all over the place…  Use your upper arm to apply weight on the paddle when it’s in the water and lower hand to be holding the paddle about 1-2 inches from the blade.  This is to have more control.
• When exiting from the water, exit about mid-thigh and go for a further reach instead.  Pulling it all the way back is pointless because it won’t move the boat at that point.  Reaching for more water will.
• Twisting your back will give you more reach.
• Untwisting your back will give you more power in the water than simply using your arms.
• Always look up and look at your teamates…  the pacers…  look at the person in front of you.  This is a team sport afterall.  We have to be ALL in synch with each other.  If you’re not looking up, how would you know if you’re in synch with the rest of the team?

Well, that’s it for now…  though, I know that there’s more…  but, lets work with this for now.  We still have a few more indoor practices.  Lets take advantage of this time to improve on our techniques and the opportunity to have Jennifer, coach of the women national DB team, coaching-us.  Ask her question!!!  Don’t be shy!

 See-you at practice!

Ciao team!

 I must admit and I’m sure that those who attended practice tonight would also agree…  it was a great practice…  though, the turn-out was low and the water was freezing cold…  But, we all got a chance to get some personal feedback from Seb on how to improve our techniques such as on our twist, our exits, our body weight to be outside of the boat, etc…  Angela discovered the true meaning of paddling in dead water…  OK, so, it doesn’t help that we were only 7 who showed-up…  but, it was definitely productive!  Keep-in mind that we only have two months left of indoor practice where we can actually focus more on personal techniques and also, where the coach can give-us more of a one on one feedback right next to you while paddling…  Once that we’re outside, we’ll be mostly focusing on being in synch, on race paces, on starts, on finishes..  more teamwork mostly…  So, please take the opportunity to work hard on mastering the techniques now.  Like I said…  there’s only TWO MONTHS left…  and that’s going by real FAST!

Also, as Vicky always mentions…  please fill the attendance sheet for next week!!!  We don’t want to paddle in such dead water again! LOL

Hi DragonFly!!!

Welcome back to our winter session!!!
PRACTICE
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Our first practice will be THIS Friday on November 7th from 7-8PM. It is confirmed that we will have Seb as our coach for our winter session. I have booked a personal trainer, Lisa, to come in from 8-9pm. She will work on helping us getting a good training program for our season.
ATTENDANCE
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I have the following confirmed for this weeks practice:
1)Victoria 2)Jerry 3)Kevin 4)Ramy 5)Gloria 6)Patrick Lau 7)Riry 8)Sokhom 9)David 10)George 11)Erik 12)Arden 13)Sam 14)Mirka 15)Winnie 16)Angela 17)Brian 18)Ayman(Sam’s Friend) 19)Cindy(Patrick’s sister) 20)Lin Wang(Sokhom’s collegue) 21)Kevin’s collegue#1 22)Kevin’s collegue#2 23)Jessica(Winnie’s friend)

MEMBERSHIP FEES
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The cost of the winter membership fee will need to increase to $110 per person. Please bring in the membership fee to me this Friday. I accept cash and checks. If there is a cost to use the gym next year we will probably do it on a per practice base or a small add on fee if it’s not too expensive. For part-time members the cost per practice will be $8/session.
FUNDRAISER
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I will be ordering the Jay Peak Ski tickets next week. Please update me on the progress on how many tickets you have confirmed. I’d like to know how many you plan to get including yourself and others. Thanks. Please see below for more details about the event.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Our last season has ended and we did an amazing 4 races this year!!! What a great experience!?! But with this we has the expense to cover all the races and extra practices added. We will be having another fundraising event this year. It’s to sell ski lift tickets to Jay Peak in Vermont. It’s an amasing mountain with great slopes. Retail price for a ticket is $65 canadian tax included. If we can sell more than 200 tickets we can get the tickets for $35 each and sell them for $50 one ticket and $45 if buy more than one. Also we might be planning our next ski trip at Jay Peak next year sometime in mid-February. I think it will be a great way to raise money keep in shape and have fun. You can buy for yourself, as a gift, sell to friends, family and collegues. These tickets have no blackout dates and can be used anytime through the December 2008 and April 2009. Further details will be sent out later this week. I will be posting an event of FB as well so you all can send the event to your friends.
Try to sell it to people before the season starts so they can start skiing early and also get them as xmas gifts^_^ Let me know of all your pre-orders and I will order the tickets.
Here is the cost of the tickets and on the amounts we sell:

Buy in bulk & save: Retail window rate 25-50 tickets 51-200 tickets 201+ tickets
Adults                            $65                           $42                  $38                      $35
Juniors (6-17)              $45                           $35                  $32                       $30
All rates are in Canadian funds and include taxes.

I plan to order the 201+tickets to maximize on the sales. Any unsold tickets are refundable so we can continue to sell throughout the whole season until April. But I intend to sell them all before that date.
Please put your best foot forward in helping our team raise the money we need in order to be able to race in great and fn competitions next year and as well cover or expenses from this year.
Also for those who love to ski in our team and want to sell but don’t know who to sell to you can go to the ski hill and sell over there before you hit the slopes:) hehe but of course you should do it discretely;)
Our next fundraising event will be next Spring Comedy works. But hehe if we do very well in this event maybe we won’t need it^_^
EVENTS
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House party chez Erik - November 22nd, 2008
Erik will be hosting another potluck party=) Please let me and Erik know if you can make it for that day and what you plan to bring.
Thanks,
Vicky

Based on our race result in Montreal Dragonboat Festival 2008, I realize the following:

Our best 500m so far is 2:17.16

There are 12 teams having 2:17.xx and 10 teams having 2:16.xx

Imagine we can cut 1 and only 1 second meaning 2:16.16, we could jump from rank 86 to 74 out of 120

Our best 250m so far is 1:06.15.

There are 20 teams having 1:06.xx and 26 teams having 1:05.xx.

Imagine if we can cut 1 and only 1 second meaning 1:05:15, we could jump from rank 75 to 54 out of 120

I am glad that we start approaching to the competitive cloud. I will not be too ambitious, let’s work on this 1 second for the coming races this year

Our Attendance sheet has successfully migrated to Dragonfly web site. Just use the usual URL and replace “mud-q.com” to “montrealdragonfly.org” (I am not going to post the full URL here).

Regular attendance update email is still happening and I will post the full URL in the email.

Dragonflyers, go check your status and keep up your attendance!

Also our original web address http://www.montreal-dragonfly.ca/ is now forwarded to http://montrealdragonfly.org main site

Here you are, paddling in all your glory. Starting with the right side…

… followed by the left side…

I get a lot of questions regarding how we practice during the winter.  I usually start with an elaborate story involving footage of sea lions and hour-long submersions in ice water before getting to the truth.  However, I find that it’s much easier to show people how we practice in the winter.