Heart Lake Dragon Boat Festival
2016
Captains’ Information Guide
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Contents
TEAM COMPOSITION............................................................................................................... 3
WAIVERS .................................................................................................................................. 3
TEAM CAPTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES ....................................................................................... 4
DRAGON BOATS AND EQUIPMENT ........................................................................................ 4
SAFETY ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Weather.................................................................................................................................. 4
Personal Flotation Devices ..................................................................................................... 4
RACE VENUE AND LOGISTICS ............................................................................................... 5
RACE SCHEDULE .................................................................................................................... 5
FUNDRAISING .......................................................................................................................... 6
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CAPTAINS’ INFORMATION
Welcome to the Heart Lake Dragon Boat Festival, hosted by Toronto and Region Conservation
Authority (TRCA). Thank you for taking on the role of team captain. We want to make your job
as simple as possible and ensure that everyone has a great time. This guide will provide you
with as much information as possible in advance of race day. If you or your teammates have
any questions, please contact us and we’ll do our best to answer them.
It may be the first time for most participants to paddle a dragon boat. Perhaps it’s your first time
being a team captain. You’re all in for a real thrill.
So the main order of the day for everyone will be to stay safe and have such marvellous fun that
you will want to make it an annual event on your calendar.
PADDLES UP!!
TEAM COMPOSITION
A full dragon boat team consists of 20 paddlers and 1 drummer in the race boat. There may be
no less than 16 members on each team. For mixed teams there must have a minimum of 6
female paddlers. A steersperson will be provided by Great White North but each team must
provide their own drummer. A team roster does not have to consist only of employees of your
company. Team members may also include spouses, family members, friends or neighbours.
Paddlers may only paddle on one team.
(Drummers may participate as a drummer on more than one team and may also participate as a
paddler for one of the other teams.) A registered team member must be twelve (12) years of
age or older. If a team member is under 18 years of age, the waiver must be signed by a
parent/guardian.
WAIVERS
Each member of the team must sign a waiver. Please make a copy of the waiver form (found in
the appendix section of this booklet) for each team member. Please bring signed waivers to
your practice session, along with final team roster and team profile forms. A team will not be
able to practice or race if all waivers do not match the team roster.
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TEAM CAPTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
The team captain shall be responsible for communicating and distributing all practice and race
information to the team.
The team captain is responsible for collecting and submitting all forms and waivers. Required
forms include: team roster, team profile, waivers, and any pledge forms (see appendices). Team
captains must attend the official team captains meeting at the Marshalling Area at 7:30 a.m. on
the day of the event. At the meeting, team captains will pick up wrist bands for each member on
their roster. Wrist bands must be worn by each paddler and will be checked prior to each race.
DRAGON BOATS AND EQUIPMENT
Heart Lake Dragon Boat Festival will use World Championship fibreglass dragon boats. Each
boat will be fully equipped with dragon head and tail, steering oar, and drum. Paddles and PFDs
will be supplied.
Life jackets and paddles will be provided for all participants. The life jackets must be removed
immediately following your race and hung on the rails provided. Paddles are to be replaced in
barrels provided.
SAFETY
Each team member is solely responsible for his or her own safety at all times while
engaging in activities related to practicing and racing in the dragon boats (or other craft
that may be provided for the purpose of practice) and must have signed a Festival
waiver.
Weather
Dragon boating is a water sport so races go ahead even if it is raining! The only thing that is
likely to cause practices or races to be cancelled is strong wind and thunderstorms. The Race
Supervisor will be responsible for the suspension or cancellation of practices and races due to
hazardous weather or marine conditions. All attempts will be made to reschedule the practice. In
the event that poor weather conditions do not permit races on Saturday, a new race date will not
be re-scheduled. If cancelled due to weather there will be an announcement at 6:30 a.m. on the
Heart Lake Dragon Boat Festival website. It is the responsibility of captains to advise all
paddlers.
Personal Flotation Devices
Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs – Life Jackets) will be provided to all team members and
must be properly worn at all times while in the dragon boats, in both practice and
competition. Privately owned PFDs may be worn provided they are government approved
and, in the opinion of the Chief Race Official, provide equivalent safety to the festival supplied
PFDs. PFDs must bear a mark of certification from the Canadian Coast Guard, US Coast Guard
or Transport Canada. Self-inflating PFDs are NOT permitted.
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A dragon boat team showing up at the race start line with any member of its crew not properly
wearing a PFD in compliance with the rules will not be allowed to start the race.
RACE VENUE AND LOGISTICS
Heart Lake Dragon Boat Festival is being held on Heart Lake, Brampton, on a 250 meter course
clearly marked with buoys. Longer courses will be considered provided there are a minimum of
three teams that would like to paddle in a 500 m or longer course.
a. The start sequence of each race will be controlled initially by the referee who will
direct the teams to the start line (pre-start position). Once all boats are in the prestart position the referee will hand the race to the starter. As soon as all boats are
aligned and stationary at the start, the starter will voice the command
“ATTENTION PLEASE” and within a two second period the air horn will sound. If
a team begins paddling prior to the starting gun, the starter can call back the race
for a re-start.
b. Each lane is 11 metres in width and will be marked with buoys as will the start
and finish line. A crew’s lane is the lane immediately to the left of the buoy
marker with that crew’s lane number. Your numbered buoy marker, which
corresponds to the number on the boat, will be to the right of the boat’s
dragonhead.
c. Crews must race the entire length of the racecourse in the allocated lane.
d. The finish line is marked with white buoys. The finish of each boat is recorded as
the dragon’s nose breaks the plane of the finish sight line, approximately one
meter behind the red buoys.
e. All crew members must be aboard at the completion of the race or the crew will
be recorded as DNF (Did Not Finish).
f.
Upon completion of their race, all crews must return immediately to the dock
mooring area and follow the instructions of the dock marshals so that the next
heat can begin on schedule.
g. Any on-water or off-water official, including the Dock Marshall and his or her
designates, may at any time require a dragon boat team to identify the names,
genders and ages of its members. Wristbands provided by the Festival must be
worn at all times. Failure to do so may result in team disqualification.
RACE SCHEDULE
The race schedule will be emailed to team captains up to three days prior to the race. Each
team will race in at least three races.
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ADVANCEMENT RULES
1. All teams will race three times on race day in various categories of race events and
challenges. Challenge Cup awards will be presented to the first place team in each cup
category.
2. The race schedule will be available in the Race Info Tent and posted on the website.
Race results will be available on the Race Results Board during the races.
FUNDRAISING
While not required to participate in the event, teams are encouraged to fundraise additional
monies through pledges and all net proceeds from the event go to help Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority in its work to provide opportunities for people to experience engage in
and help enhance the Etobicoke and Mimico watersheds. The TRCA projects work to:
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Build understanding of environmental, sustainability and urban issues among the
citizens of the Greater Toronto Area;
Engage more residents in activities that help improve their health and well-being, their
communities and their environments; and
Improved protection of Toronto region’s natural systems.
Proceeds from the 2016 Heart Lake Dragon Boat Festival will be used to support the Etobicoke
– Mimico Watersheds Tree Canopy Program. The continued development and management of
the tree canopy in the Etobicoke – Mimico Watersheds is vitally important to the future of the
expanding urban region. Trees not only improve the quality and quantity of the water but also air
quality; they reduce stream channel erosion; provide habitat for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife;
and reduce summer air and water temperatures.
Please make copies of the pledge form for each member of your team. Toronto and Region
Conservation Authority is a registered charity through The Living City Foundation. Tax
deductible receipts will be issued for donations over $10.
Make cheques payable to The Living City Foundation. For more information about The Living
City Foundation visit http://www.thelivingcity.org/.
General Safety & Steering Tips
General Dragon Boat Protocols
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Follow directions when loading dragon boat to avoid congestion on the dock.
Don't leave dragon boats on the dock unless you are sure another team is going to use it
immediately (i.e., you are handing off to the next team)
Don't allow paddlers to throw their paddles on the dock as the team is loading or
unloading, folks can easily slip and get hurt.
Slow down around the dock.
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Boat and Equipment care
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Ensure boat is secured to the mooring. Secure front and back of boat together. Use
bumpers.
Please don't step on the seats.
Steering oar should not be left hanging solely on U bolt and in the water, you will risk
losing it or damage to the T-grip.
Steering oars should be stored when not in use.
Boat set up
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Ensure boat is balanced left and right. You should do a balance check.
Ensure boat is balanced front to back including steersperson and drummer weight. If too
back or front heavy, the boat becomes more difficult to steer.
Ensure paddlers understand and can comply with boat commands. Teams may have
their own commands so this is especially important when steering a team you are not
familiar with.
IMPORTANT POLICIES
No Smoking Policy
No smoking is permitted on site, including the Team Area. Individuals in violation of this policy
may be asked to leave the site.
No Alcohol Policy
No alcohol is permitted on site in non-licensed areas. If alcohol is found on you or your team
site, you will be requested to remove it from the festival. No second warning will be given. If the
alcohol is still on site after further inspection, the Festival reserves the right to confiscate and
dispose of the alcohol or expel the team from the Festival.
Security
Please do not leave ANY valuables in your car. Dry bags can be purchased at a variety of
stores to allow you to take your keys, wallet, etc. on to the boat with you during practice.
NO VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED TO PARK AT THE BEACH AT ANY TIME
PRACTICE INFORMATION
The one practice included in your festival registration fee is coordinated by the festival
organizer, Joanna Parsons. To schedule your practice please contact Joanna at
[email protected]. ALL practices are held at Heart Lake Conservation Area.
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Experience gained during the practice will enable your team to operate the boat safely on race
day.
The scheduling of practices can only be done on receipt of registration, payment and
acceptance.
Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled practice time to allow for parking and assembling
as a team, as well as for a warm-up/stretching period. Sessions start and finish promptly and
are 60 minutes in length. Sessions are held rain or shine!
Dress appropriately, active or casual, and be prepared to get a little wet. Consider wearing
clothes that dry quickly and bring a towel!
Eyeglasses and jewellery should be secured to prevent loss. Reusable water bottles are
recommended for on water activity.
Upon arrival check in with the site coordinator. Your coach will meet you there.
All equipment and instruction is provided. PFDs are mandatory.
To maximize your fun and performance have all of your crewmembers attend your practices.
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