This year the speakers were amazing.

The first speaker was Dean Siemens, a Paramedic, a Kinesiologist and a Massage Therapist specializing in Sports Injury Rehabilitation. Dean gave an entertaining and very informative presentation on water safety. He did, however, change his mind about the wisdom of having us try to turn the boat over should it ever capsize. When he saw the looks on our faces at even the thought of doing so, he quickly realized that it is just not going to happen. We do have a really good policy and information on safety but a couple of points than cannot be emphasized enough are the importance of staying calm and staying quiet.

The second speaker was Victoria Felkar who is completing her studies in Kinesiology and is a Certified Personal Trainer. Victoria’s mother, Lois Felkar is a member of AIAB so Victoria is very familiar to a lot of us. She is also helping with a special exercise session for the 2012 Novices ensuring that they have a good introduction to becoming physically fit for their first paddling season. Victoria did a presentation on core strength and core stability. To paddle well and safely, we need to engage our core and have the strength to hold the positions paddling requires of us. She led us through some simple introductory core excercises that we hope will become part of your dry land training regime. If you were one of the people lucky enough to have attended the workshop – what is your cue for engaging your core?

The last speaker was Heather Hellevang, also completing her studies in Kinesiology. Heather is a well respected coach in the Dragon Boat community and the co-coach of the Grand Dragons. She led us through a practice from the warm up to the cool down. Heather brought her ‘erg’ machine and took us through each step of the paddling stroke. She reviewed posture and related this to what Victoria had presented regarding core engagement. We went through top arm, bottom arm position, the catch and the exit. In terms of improving our stroke technique, we were asked to specifically analyze what it is about our stroke that needs to improve, i.e. if we want to improve our rotation, what exactly will we do to accomplish that. And even though Heather notes that she has paddled for 17 years, she still sees she has areas she is working to improve on. The message is that no one has the perfect stroke.

Barb Baker did a wonderful job of organizing this event. She pulled together an impressive group of AIAB volunteers to help with registration, food, set up and clean up. Thank you to Rebecca, Eleanor, Cathy, and Evelyn as well all those that pitched and helped in whatever way they could.

Barb also arranged for door prizes and give-aways. Remember to fill out the card with all your pertinent information and put it in the waterproof wallet to tuck in the pocket of your PFD. Again this year, we were also given fitness logs. Please use them – what you write down will encourage you to be consistent in your dry land training! Thank you, Barb.

Judi Clark

Welcome Aboard!
Paddles Up!

The inaugural 1st INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT FEDERATION (IDBF) CANCER SURVIVORS WORLD CUP 2011 held in conjunction with MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL (MIDBF) took place at the Putrajaya Water Sports Complex from October 20 to 23, 2011. I was very fortunate to be on the crew representing Abreast In A Boat at this regatta.

Most of the crew arrived a few days before the regatta and we stayed at the Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside Hotel, conveniently located across the street from the race site. This beautiful five star hotel featured a fabulous breakfast buffet every morning, offering endless healthy and delicious choices to start the day, getting us through the race days where there was little time for nourishment between races.

Each day during our stay in Malaysia started out with clear skies and sunshine, about 30+ degrees and very humid. With the exception of the two days we raced, every afternoon featured a torrential downpour, followed by rain in varying degrees of intensity. The rain was so heavy at times, I swear it would have sunk the boats if it had happened during the races. It was probably a good thing to be in Malaysia during their “rainy season”, as the temperatures would have been even higher without the rain to cool things off each day.

We paddled in four races on Saturday, taking one bronze and one silver medal, both with 22-person crews. On Sunday, we had an unprecedented eight races and managed to bring home two more bronze medals, one with a 12-person crew and the other with a 22-person crew. My focus at regattas has always been on having fun and the excitement of the race - getting medals is a bonus I hadn’t even considered.

Many thanks to our Manager, Brenda Tierney, who kept us organized and in the boat on time, despite the disorganization and many changes to the race schedule.

The wind-up party took place at the Zouk Club in Kuala Lumpur on the Sunday evening. There was a delicious buffet dinner and lots of dancing in this modern high tech nightclub.

Diane Wahl
Photos by Lynne Davis

Check out the two articles on AIAB crew members at the Malaysia International Dragon Boat Festival:
Surrey Leader AND North Shore Outlook

Video:
60 local and international teams battle it out during the three-day Dragon Boat Festival at the Putrajaya Sports Complex.
Check it out

Race Results from October 22, 2011
Race Results from October 23, 2011

The Malaysia Crew on the water in Putrajaya

Good Luck to the AIAB Malaysia crew. Photo by Boaz Joseph...

This dragon got to taste the hardware of defeat.

Our hardware, up close and personal.

WAY TO GO TEAM!!!

We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day for our 14th annual Run for the Cure, benefitting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, one of the major sponsors and supporters of Abreast In A Boat. Our numbers were down this year, but we still were able to raise almost $10,000 with our team of 19.

I believe that the last time our numbers were down, both in participants and dollars was the Australia year, so being an international year might have had some bearing on our numbers. I fully expect next year to have a larger representation of Abreast In A Boat members!

I had an interesting experience at the Run this year when I visited the Survivor Tent. Actually, it was two interesting things. I was going to enter a draw for a prize that was meant to go to a breast cancer survivor and the volunteer was reluctant to let me enter as it was supposed to be for breast cancer survivors only. I had to point to my shirt and explain that I was a member of AIAB which also meant that I was a survivor! I was very surprised as I thought everyone knew about AIAB!

She then proceeded to do the same thing to the next lady who approached her, who also happened to look youngish for having had breast cancer. When this lady, too, explained that she was a survivor, I turned to her and asked if she was interested in dragon boating. As it turns out, she was and I hope that she looks us up! (at least our message is reaching breast cancer survivors!)

What also surprised me was that the pre-conceived notion is still out there that breast cancer only happens to older women. We are living proof that this is not the case. Point in fact is that some of our members were diagnosed in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s and we should be celebrating that they are still with us 10, 15 and 20 years later! Does dragon boating play a role in that? I think so!

We also had the added bonus of having some video clips made of us which will be used in future fundraising efforts by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. It was fun to feel like a star for a day! Lastly, thanks to all of the supporters that also came out and walked with us: spouses, children, family, friends, and dogs.

Marcia Rempel
Team AIAB Captain

photo by Philip Chin of the AIAB Steveston Crew on August 20, 2011

A special thanks to Deb Thiessen who coached one of the crews and Eleanor Vandergaag and Judi Clark for steering. Also thanks to Leslie Lewis who ensured we had enough AIAB paddlers and volunteers to help with the event. I would also like to acknowledge the warm AIAB welcome you extended to our prospective new members and the sharing of your personal experiences with AIAB. This was truly a novice focused event.

Paddles Up!

Jane Mann

It was a wet, gray day but the mood of all the participants at the 31st Terry Fox Run in Port Coquitlam was sunny. Esther Matsubichi, Deb Middleton, Rebecca Chapman, Marcia Rempel, Susan Beye, Susan Anthony and I along with our supporters were on hand to hear speeches by Premier Christy Clark, Mayor Greg Moore and Rolly Fox. His brief tribute to his wife Betty had many of us feeling teary. Esther was interviewed by CKNW prior to the Run. We were part of Terry’s Team of 31 cancer survivors. You may have seen us on CBC, Global or CTV News in our special red T-shirts at the start line.

Patricia Tanaka

A few snapshots at the Terry Fox Run

Esther & Rolly Fox

Esther & Christy Clark

Esther & friend

We had four great races and seemed to improve with each one. When “finish it now” was called the boat just seemed to jump. This was a strong crew! We took second place in Division E.

We would like to thank Coach Margaret, Steers Judi, Drummer Lita and Manager Sheila for making this such a great experience for us all.

Another great showing ladies! You have a lot to be proud of!

Paddles Up!
Neoma Quintin and the Steveston crew

Steveston Regatta Crew

Steveston Regatta Prize

Racing - photo by Philip Chin

On the water - photo by Philip Chin