PJD or 22Dragons? What’s your decision?
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
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
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
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
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