Buzz,
I hope everyone is having a well-deserved break, and is taking the time to recharge. Personally I’m really looking forward to the free fishy dinner next month at Jumbo with Shum Woo, and our annual dinner later on in September, with awards, trophy auction, and more!
NEW EXEC CONFIRMED
With the changing on the guard coming up at annual dinner, I’m delighted to announce the new exec team! As everyone knows, being on exec is a great support to the team, and I hope everyone can get behind the new exec and support them in the year to come 😊
PRESIDENT: FRANK THE TANK
CAPTAINS: DANA + LAYTON
CLUB SECRETARIES: JANET + OLI
TREASURER: MARK
Again, hats off to these guys for volunteering their time to run the club for us the coming season. Thanks!!!! 🙏🙇♂️💪
While the current exec will continue to plan for annual dinner and the like, the new exec will make decisions around the upcoming off-season. Speaking of which…
OFF-SEASON TRAINING
Just like each year, Buzz will be running an off-season programme. Off-season is designed for paddlers who are keen to maintain their fitness, improve technique, and get involved in some more racing! The off-season also includes the opportunity to join some magical international races.
If you know someone keen to give dragon boating a try, now is the time to invite them along to a training session or an open day. Please pass new names and contacts to the respective captains as soon as possible and they will follow up.
We will have three open days on Sunday 1st September, Sunday 29 September and Sunday 3 November. We will begin to promote these open days on social media soon. Be ready to share the details with your networks!
The $1,000 includes fees for entries into two local races, continued use of the Shum Woo clubhouse, industrial estate security services around the clubhouse, and very minor discretionary spending. This works out at $39 per session.
OFF-SEASON RACING
Off-season training will revolve around three off-season races, two local races and one international, and the potential for two additional international races if we receive enough interest.
Each international race we will require a $1,000 deposit to be paid by no later than Saturday 31 August. So if you want to race in all three international races, you will need to pay $3,000 by 31 August. Deposits will not be accepted after this date.
You are most welcome to join off-season training and not participate in any of the off-season races. However, the two local race entry fees are included in the off-season fee.
TAIWAN RACE
Please check your diaries to see if you can join us in Taiwan. Ask last year's attendees for more details – it’s a great weekend away and one of the best races of the year!
The racing days are Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 November. We will fly direct to Kaohsiung on Friday 8 November. The standard Friday flight time will be in the evening – you will not need to take any time off from work on the Friday to join us. However, some paddlers will choose to take an earlier flight. More details on flight times will be shared in due course.
We will send reminders as we approach the deposit deadline at the end of August. Remember – if you don't pay your $1,000 deposit before 31 August, then you aren't racing 🙁
COMMITMENT TO OFF-SEASON TRAINING AND RACES
After our fantastic showing at last year's Taiwan race, this year we should have a great chance of winning some Gold Cup Finals. If we want to win, we need to be committed to train to achieve that goal. Therefore:
To enter any off-season race, paddlers must have good attendance at off-season training
We understand that everyone is different – some of us like to train year-round, and some of us need a good break to recharge. If you’re someone that needs that time off to recharge, then please do that. Off-season is optional, and there are no repercussions for not participating.
We will send out an off-season sign-up form nearer the start of the season.
If you have any questions, please contact an exec member.