A wake up call...... (Boston DB Fest)

By Stephen Li

Saturday -Time trials

8.30 am - Meeting at the lobby of the Hyatt Regency hotel over the sprawling city of Boston on a cloud filled Saturday morning. Underneath the brooding grey blanket of the sky, the city slumbered on waiting for a more reasonable day to present itself. Meanwhile, a select band of battle hardened Dragons roused themselves from the warmth of their beds, each donning the purple garment that distinguishes them from Earths lesser mortals, gathered their weapons to hand and set forth to conquer all those foolish enough to dare confront them.

By the time our first 500m time trial came, the sun had began to cast it's rays over the Charles river. Surely mother nature was on our side? Alas though, by the time we reached the docks to pick up our pfds and paddles we discovered the paddles were in 2 sizes only, at 45 or 52 inches. Either too short or too long for most...

First time trial, we were up against DBCB (Dragonboat club of Boston) who we managed to keep in touch with until the final stages where they blew us away. The team had struggled with the paddles and had given their all in the first time trial. Our leadened arms and legs made the easy paddle back to dock seem like an eternity and before we had a chance to catch our breathes, it was time for the second time trial! Most of the team hadn't anticipated this but like the warriors we are, we prepped up and got ready for battle. Second time trial, our tiredness and lack of conditioning took it's toll. Although we battled gamely we simply could not match the power of DBCB. Averaging out both time trials, DBCB was almost ten seconds ahead of us. It was a tough wake up call and the air of disapointment during the team huddle post race was apparent. However, the team aim to re-invent themselves and make up for the disappointment the following day. Surely, we are better than this? By the end of the day when the results came through, we discovered that DBCB was one of the fastest teams and we were the 5th fastest team of the day. Not too shabby after all!

Sunday

First heat we were up against MAD and Jade Dragons. We had to place within the top two to advance to the 'A' semifinals. MAD were the fastest team in the time trials so we knew it wouldn't be an easy race. Race itself - Improvement! The team showed much more determination and power, we shaved off 2 seconds from our fastest time the day before and came in 2nd. Enough to advance into the 'A' semifinals. Team morale was much higher now and we were ready for the semis.

Semifinal - The luck of the draw would pit us against MAD again and our conqueror the day before, DBCB. Only the winning team would advance to the 'A' final. Tall order but we were unfazed and totally pyshed up for it. Once on the boat, such was the focus of the team you'd be able to hear a needle drop. The race itself - Stunning! Amazing start, good transition, good stroke rating, power maintained throughout and gutsy bring it home. We stayed close with the other boats throughout the race but after the finish line we knew had came in only third. Not enough to get into the 'A' finals but still, it offered much encouragement. We had improved a further 4 seconds from our previous best time and are now within the reach of teams that were almost 10 seconds faster than us the previous day.

'A' Minor final - Determined to make the last race our best one yet the team prepped up at the side of the dock with massages on one another to the amusement of others (we ain't just normal paddlers!). Pumped up for one last hurrah, we were up against our arch rival this weekend, DBCB and Netfirm Riptides. The race itself was once again good and all teams were neck and neck until the finish line. All three teams finished within 2 seconds of each other. When the results came out we found out we came third, losing second place by less than 0.2 seconds. Heartbreaking stuff! Nonetheless, it was a satisfying weekend of racing, especially with how the team came together as a unit towards the end. 6th place overall isn't a bad performance, with lessons to take back to the drawing board. No doubt we'll come back stronger.

Reflection

Positives to take away is that when we were get it together, we can be very good....What we need to do now is to train as a team and take ourselves to the next level consistently. We can be just as good as the top teams but we have to put in the effort. Are we willing?

Over the course of the weekend there is much thanks to be said to everyone who made it possible. Thanks to the following paddlers who made the trip -

Uriel Klieger
Jimmy Prunier
Victoria Nguyen
Sharon Hong
Carol Herrera
Sonali Ratnayake
Dave Ngo
Tina Chen
Chia Tan
Norman Huang
Baldwin Tom
Alvin Colasito
Su Chuen Foo
Cynthia Colasito
JR Lequin
Warren Fair
Aristotle Ambion
John Colasito
Stephen Li



Special thanks to acts that I've seen over this weekend, sorry if I missed anything:

Uriel - for the great captaining the event. And for the tour guide in Boston!
Jimmy - for the coaching leading to the event.
Chia - for being stroke.
Baldwin - for paddling in the final with a sprained ankle.
Norman - for giving people rides to the airport at the end of the day.
Incredible thanks to the Colasitos, JR and Warren for bringing the tent to the site and come end of the day when everyone was in a rush to catch their flights they had to trek a mile with that tent to take it back home even though they must have been tired - you guys rock!

It truly is the people that make our team special. People who are willing to give, help and take one for the team. I really don't think there's another team like us. Who are we? DC Dragons!!



B final - From Left to Right Netfirm Riptide, DBCB DrachenFurie ,DC Dragons