June 19, 2010
By: gordon
Category: Results
Our second race took place around 5pm, a bit later than expected due to some delays in the morning. The wind has much more of a factor in this race because it was more of a crosswind and made lining up at the start a bit more of a challenge. That combined with choppier water meant that steering was tougher, but our finish time of 2:15.44 was still better than our best time from the last few years. (Most times in the afternoon races were quite a bit slower than the morning.)
Overall, this puts us in 32nd place for the mixed teams, which we’re very happy with.
We also raised enough money through donations that we had a third race, but that time wasn’t available when this was being written.
Many thanks to everyone who sponsored someone on the Algonquin Singapore Slings! Your donations helped us raise $5257.00 for the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation charities so far!
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June 19, 2010
By: gordon
Category: Results
The Algonquin College Singapore Slings took position at the start line in lane #6 and sped down the course to reclaim their challenge cup after a couple of years of letting other teams have it. 
Our official time for the race was 2:13.18, which was more than 7 seconds faster than the next fastest team.
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September 13, 2009
By: gordon
Category: Results
The Algonquin College Singapore Slings took part in the Fall 400 in Carleton Place this weekend. The weather was simply amazing – sunny and warm with almost no wind—perfect dragonboat racing weather!
We had three 400m races and were very happy with our results, particularly in the fact that we shaved 3 seconds off our time in the last race. Our combined times placed us in 23rd place over all.
| First race |
01:55.06 |
| Second race |
01:55.58 |
| Best of the first two races |
01:55:06 |
| Third race |
01:52.43 |
| Combined best and third |
03:49.49 |
A special thanks to our world-class bagpiper, Doug, who piped us in to the staging area before the races. You rock!
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June 18, 2009
By: gordon
Category: General
Earlier this evening the Algonquin College Singapore Slings dragonboat team achieved its fundraising goal of $6000! Thank you very much to everyone who has sponsored us and our team members!
There’s still time to sponsor us and help all the worthy charities being supported by the Ottawa Dragonboat Foundation. If you’d like to sponsor us, please click here.
Again, thank you to everyone who sponsored us!
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May 26, 2009
By: gordon
Category: Technique
If you’ve been dragonboating for a couple of years, you’ve probably heard your steersman or caller issue instructions such as “check the boat”, “all up”, “right side draw” or “let it run”. And you (hopefully) know what the person wants you to do. But, if you’re new to dragonboating, it might be Greek to you.
So, to help demystify things, here’s a list of the most common things your steersman is likely to say and what they want you to do.
| When they say… |
They really mean… |
| All up! |
Get ready to start paddling and listen for the next instruction, which is usually… |
| Take it away. |
Start paddling. |
| Let it run. |
Stop paddling and let the boat coast. Be sure not to drag your paddle in the water. |
| Hold the boat |
Stick your paddle in the water, but don’t take a stroke. This may not seem like it does a lot, but it has the effect of holding the boat in place. Usually heard on the start line when the boat is barely moving. |
Left side draw
Right side draw |
Paddlers on the specified side of the boat should turn the blades of the paddles 90 degrees and pull the water towards them. This is usually done at the start line to help position the boat for the start of the race. You’ll sometimes hear it when pulling up to the dock and the boat’s a little too far from it. Everyone drawing should do it at the same rate so that the boat doesn’t rock too much. |
| Ready! Ready! |
Given on the start line, paddlers should bury the blades of their paddles and be ready to start in a few seconds. |
| Check the boat! |
This is probably the only command that can be given at any point, usually without warning. Similar to hold the boat, the goal is to stop the boat moving as quickly as possible. Stick the blade in the water and hold it in place. (Note: It does not mean to make sure there aren’t any holes in the boat or that you’re in the right boat!) |
| Check hard! |
Almost identical to check the boat, you add a little more resistance so that you’re almost (but not quite) paddling backwards. |
| Beer me! |
One of the most important commands a steersman will issue. The nearest paddler should immediately provide the steersman with a properly chilled beer. |
Back it up
Back it off |
Start paddling in reverse. This should be done in time so that the boat doesn’t rock too much. |
In general, when you’re paddling, whether it’s paddling easy during a practice, drawing at the start line or during the race, all the paddlers should be hitting at the same time. If even one person is out a bit, the paddlers around them will tend to get off beat.
Happy paddling!
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April 21, 2009
By: cindy
Category: Uncategorized
Title: Start-up Meeting
Location: Broadway Bar & Grill – PoW
Description: Brunch!
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2009-04-25
End Time: 11:30
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April 21, 2009
By: cindy
Category: Uncategorized
We’ve got a full roster! (And your captain is finally getting things together!)
The team will get together for our start-up meeting this Saturday morning, April 25 for a little brunch.
Practices begin Saturday, May 2 — rain or shine, warm or cold. Dress for the weather and bring your team spirit!
Looking forward to a fun season Slings!
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July 24, 2008
By: cindy
Category: Practices
We had a really fun weekend at the Ottawa Festival this year. We beat last year’s time and we raised over $5000!! Well done Slings!
Summer practices are well underway and we are looking for at least one more male paddler and a drummer to compete with us at the RCC races on August 23 as well as the Carleton Place races September 13.
Practices are every Tuesday at 6:45 at the Rideau Canoe Club. Send us an email if interested singaporeslings@hotmail.com
Cheers!
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June 21, 2008
By: gordon
Category: Results
Awesome day today!! We did really well:
Overall placement #49
Best time 2:18:52
Woohoo!! Way to go!
SUNDAY SCHEDULE: BE ON SITE AT 8:30 AM
We stage at 9:30 and race at 10.
FYI just to compare (thanks to Wendy for sending this info), last year’s results:
Saturday 2007 Cup Final Challenge
Time: 2:22.38 Ranked: #48
Sunday Finals 2007 Cup Final Challenge
Time: 2:22.54 Ranked: #51
Go Slings!! See you tomorrow morning at 8:30!
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May 30, 2008
By: cindy
Category: Practices
This Satruday’s practice is cancelled due to the youth dragon boat races at the RCC. Come watch the races!
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