FALL EXCURSION "FALL OUT" 

As members, we all know that we belong to a great, and unique, club. BDBC includes an outstanding competitive program and our very successful Heat Strokes; a fun recreational program with numerous paddling opportunities; ongoing fitness development; and solid technical training. We are a community that provides and enjoys great social experiences, too. 

One of these social opportunities, perhaps the Jewel in the Crown, and certainly a great late season event, is the Fall Excursion, organized by two of our amazing volunteers, Mary Robertson and most particularly Doug Harrison. Doug, a great and very dedicated steer for us, is known to love exploration. Fortunately for us, he brings this adventurous spirit to bear every year, to create unique getaways for club members, taking us out of our ordinary and challenging the skills we have acquired over the season! We thank him and Mary for the countless extra hours of work they do to give all of us these unique and unforgettable experiences! 

This year’s event took Nakoma, Draco, and a lot of great, adventurous souls to Gananoque. As always, the plan was in keeping with club goals of fitness, fun, and social connection. For some, this was a three-day event, including a stay in a wonderful Vrbo together, affording us a healthy dose of conviviality and endless laughter, not to mention great campfires and amazing food. Other members and a few very welcome guests joined us for plenty of fun and camaraderie at various times. Of course, part of our time, as now (mostly) seasoned, skilled and conditioned paddlers, was spent paddling among the beautiful 1000 Islands. On our own, our two boats did a great shore snoop on Saturday afternoon in the company of many great blue herons and a majestic osprey. On Sunday, late morning, we had an outstanding 3 hour paddle, as we spotted wildlife, and learned about the fascinating geology and history of the area from a local guide! What a unique and fabulous time! It could not have been better. 

Below, a photo of Half Moon Bay, attainable only by water, of great geological and anthropological significance, sacred to many, one of the several sites to which our guide led us.

Membership Registration for the 2023 Paddling Season is Open!

Membership registration for the Recreational and Competitive Programs is now open.  Go to our website www.brightondragonboat.ca to obtain a description of each of the programs to see which one best fulfills your interest.  If you click on the website calendar and advance the month to either May or June you will see what our paddling schedule for the upcoming season currently looks like.  This year we have a broad selection of times available to paddle including a Tuesday evening session at 6 PM.  Please note that we have not yet opened registration for these sessions yet and we will alert members when they are able to start booking sessions.  The maximum number of paddlers for each Recreational Program session is 20 and 40 for the Competitive Program sessions.  We have created waiting lists for each session in the event a registered paddler cancels prior to the session, opening up a spot.

How to Register

Existing Members

Please register for your preferred program as quickly as possible. Simply log on to our web page www.brightondragonboat.ca using your e-mail and password.  Go to the tab Join Us and click on Edit your Member Profile.  Press the word Change beside your existing status.  You will have the option of joining either as a 2023 Recreational Program member or as a 2023 Competitive Program Member.  If you register and pay on or before April 22, 2023, you will have the additional option of registering as a 2023 Discounted Recreational Program Member or as a 2023 Discounted Competitive Program Member and can take advantage of the $20 early bird discount applicable to each.  If you are a full-time student between the age of 18 and 25, or a youth between the ages of 12 to 17 inclusive special discounted rates are available to you.  Once you have selected your chosen option follow the steps outlined in the program including the steps to pay the fee, as applicable, online using your credit card or Visa debit card (press continue as guest once info has been entered) or our mailing address if you prefer to send your payment by mail. You will receive confirmation e-mails in respect of your change in membership level and receipt of payment.  If you are having difficulty please contact our Treasurer Tom King thomas.king27@outlook.com.

New Members

Similar to above, log onto our web page www.brightondragonboat.ca using your e-mail.  Go to the tab Join Us and click on complete your Member Profile and check the acceptance of the waiver. You have the option of joining either as a 2023 Recreational Program Member or as a 2023 Competitive Program Member.  If you register on or before April 22, 2023, you will have the additional option of registering as a 2023 Discounted Recreational Program Member or as a 2023 Discounted Competitive Program Member and can take advantage of the $20 early bird discount applicable to each.  If you are a full-time student between the age of 18 and 25, or a youth between the ages of 12 to 17 inclusive special discounted rates are available to you.  Once you have selected your chosen option follow the steps outlined in the program including the step to pay the fee as discussed above. You will receive confirmation e-mails in respect of your membership level and receipt of payment.  If you are having difficulty please contact our Treasurer Tom King thomas.king27@outlook.com.

New Roof Thank you Haig, Tom and Doug for putting in the time and on such hots days! Thank you CTL Roofing and General Contracting for the generous donation of shingles!is Ladas 613-922-2529) Paddles Up! Tricia Boehme President, BDBC Pictures below capture our volunteers hard at work

INFORMATION SHEET Welcome back returning paddlers and a big warm welcome to those who are new to the sport and our club.  This email is to provide you with some important information to help make your experience a good one this year. REGISTER FOR PADDLE SESSIONS Our online calendar is where you sign up for paddle sessions. Simply click on the sessions you would like and follow the steps as indicated. You will receive a confirmation email. Feel free to sign up for a few weeks at a time if you know your schedule. The system will tell you how many spots remain. We generally won't run a session with less than 8 paddlers, and this will also be dependent on the weather. The maximum is 20. You can be added to a wait list should someone cancel out. Having said all this, if you show up without registering and there is a seat available, you are welcome to paddle. CANCELLATION OF PADDLE SESSION If you can't make a paddle, please go online and cancel your seat. Go to the online calendar and select the day you wish to cancel. Just below the registration button you will see "already registered". Click here and follow instructions to cancel the session. You will get an email confirming your actions. Freeing up your seat may allow someone else to get in a boat from the wait list. PADDLE TIMES The listed time is departure from dock. Please arrive a bit early in particular if you need club gear. It's also a great time to meet people and do a little warm up of the joints before paddling. Your coach will be lining up paddlers before loading to ensure a balanced distribution of weight in the baot. PARKING Parking is on Bay Street or Baldwin. The parking lot is owned by the restaurant and marina and is for their patrons. The municipal lot to the east of the restaurant is for vehicles using the boat launch.  GEAR Please dress for the weather. We have paddled in less than perfect conditions, dressing in layers will help you. You will get wet. Bulky and loose clothing are not ideal, but you will quickly figure things out. Warmer weather means, sunscreen and hats as a guide. Please bring WATER when you paddle. You are out for an hour. Cell phones can be brought at your own risk (waterproof pouch) and car keys can be left in our secure shed. Paddles and life jackets of varying sizes are available for your use.  MISCELLANEOUS BUT IMPORTANT Our covid safety protocols can be found on our website in the drop down menu. Most important is that you stay home if not feeling 100% and that you follow isolation guidelines. If you are experiencing any website issue, please contact Tom King tomking2297@gmail.com We really want you to have a good experience, if you have any questions or concerns, please reply to this email.  Sincerely, Tricia Boehme President

An email went to all competitive members on the 24th. If you didn't receive it, check your junk mail first and then email me to rectify. Triciaboehme@gmail.com

One Week Away From Tank Paddling

We have a wonderful opportunity to use the paddling tank at the Quinte Rowing Club. The sessions will help get you water ready with sound technical advice from Coach Tricia. We currently have 9 members registered for the first session on March 31st and have room for 11 more. Members may sign up for as many sessions as they wish, if space is available.

• Two, 10 man boats are strapped in place and paddlers work in the water with narrow paddles created for use in dead water. 

• If you want a look at the facilities go to the Quinte Rowing Club website and click on the tab Facilities. 

• The water and room are cool so layers are recommended until you warm up. 

• In past seasons, registration for these sessions  was restricted  to the race team members however we wish all to feel welcome to participate so any member is welcome to register. 

• Online registration through our calendar is mandatory. 

• We require a minimum registration of 8 people by 5:30 pm the day before a scheduled session in order to proceed. 

Who: Any club member. If you are currently not a club member go to the tab JoinUs on our website and register as a regular member (free).  Current memberships expire on May 1, 2022.

When: 6:30pm - 7:30pm every Thursday beginning March 31st through to May 5th 

Where: Quinte Rowing Club at 35 Keegan Pkwy, Belleville 

Cost: $10.00 exact cash at the door.

Paddles Up

Membership Registration for the 2022 Paddling Season is Open!

Membership registration for the Recreational and Competitive Programs is now open.  Go to our website www.brightondragonboat.ca to obtain a description of each of the programs to see which one best fulfills your interest.  If you click on the website calendar and advance the month to either May or June you will see what our paddling schedule for the upcoming season currently looks like.  This year we have a broad selection of times available to paddle including a Wednesday evening session at 6 PM.  Please note that we have not yet opened registration for these sessions yet and we will alert members when they are able to start booking sessions.  The maximum number of paddlers for each Recreational Program session is 20 and 40 for the Competitive Program sessions.  We have created waiting lists for each session in the event a registered paddler cancels prior to the session, opening up a spot.

How to Register

Existing Members

Please register for your preferred program as quickly as possible. Simply log onto our web page www.brightondragonboat.ca using your e-mail and password.  Go to the tab Join Us and click on Edit your Member Profile.  Press the word Change beside your existing status.  You will have the option of joining either as a Recreational Program Member or as a Competitive Program Member.  If you register on or before April 23, 2022, you will have the additional option of registering as a Discounted Recreational Program Member or as a Discounted Competitive Program Member and can take advantage of the $15 early bird discount applicable to each.  If you are a full-time student between the age of 18 and 25, or a youth between the ages of 12 to 17 inclusive special discounted rates are available to you.  Once you have selected your chosen option follow the steps outlined in the program including the steps to pay the fee, as applicable, online using your credit card or Visa debit card or our mailing address if you prefer to send your payment by mail. You will receive confirmation e-mails in respect of your change in membership level and receipt of payment.  If you are having difficulty please contact our Treasurer Tom King tomking2297@gmail.com

New Members

Similar to above, log onto our web page www.brightondragonboat.ca using your e-mail.  Go to the tab Join Us and click on complete your Member Profile and check the acceptance of the waiver. You have the same options of membership as above.  Once you have selected your chosen option follow the steps outlined in the program including the step to pay the fee as discussed above. You will receive confirmation e-mails in respect of your membership level and receipt of payment.  If you are having difficulty please contact our Treasurer Tom King tomking2297@gmail.com

Things are Happening! We are less than two months away from “Making Waves” on Presqu’ile Bay. Your Board of Directors share the following information with you. Please read carefully and reply to this email with any questions. Many thanks at this point to May, Tom, Helen, Frances, Jo and Mark, for all their time and efforts to date on the Board. Schedule We have created the following schedule based on coach and steer availability and past history of attendance. Those who join the competitive program are welcome and encouraged to register for recreational sessions as well. Full boats are happy boats! With this in mind, attendance will be monitored and schedule changes may be required if necessary. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 6:00 AM Recreational Recreational 8:00 AM Recreational 9:00 AM Recreational Recreational 6:00 PM Recreational 6:30 PM Competitive Competitive Membership Fees 2022 We have kept the sport very affordable this year and in fact reduced it from our previous rates.  Regular (Recreational) membership $150.00 (If paid on or before April 23rd - $135.00) Competitive Program membership $250.00 (If paid on or before April 23rd - $235.00) Full time student Regular (Recreational) membership (must be 18 or over in 2022) $70.00 Full time student Competitive Program membership (must be 18 or over in 2022)  $100.00  Youth membership (12 or under 18 throughout 2022) $ 25.00  We are in the process of updating our website to reflect the new schedule and aforementioned rates. A follow-up email will be sent to members once we have completed the update and opened up our website for registration for the 2022 season. Registration for the tank paddling sessions discussed below is now available. Tank Paddling We once again have an opportunity to use the paddling tank at the Quinte Rowing Club. The sessions will help get you water ready with sound technical advice from Coach Tricia. Two, 10 man boats are strapped in place and paddlers work in the water with narrow paddles created for use in dead water. If you want a look at the facilities go to the Quinte Rowing Club website and click on the tab Facilities. The water and room are cool so layers are recommended until you warm up. In past seasons, registration for these sessions  was restricted  to the race team members however we wish all to feel welcome to participate so any member is welcome to register. Online registration through our calendar is mandatory. We require a minimum registration of 8 people by 5:30 pm the day before a scheduled session in order to proceed.  Who: Any club member. If you are currently not a club member go to the tab Join Us on our website and register as a regular member (free).  Current memberships expire on May 1, 2022. When: 6:30pm - 7:30pm every Thursday beginning March 31st through to May 5th  Where: Quinte Rowing Club at 35 Keegan Pkwy, Belleville  Cost: $10.00 exact cash at the door. Provincial Guidelines and Protocols We will be following provincial guidelines and protocols regarding Covid-19 including the recent change of lifting vaccination requirements. Having said this, we also follow Dragon Boat Canada for advice and recommendations. We anticipate a communication from Dragon Boat Canada in the near future and should we find ourselves with critical information that doesn't support our decision, we will act accordingly.  Paddles Up Tricia  President, BDBC

 Announcement

Race Program-Competitive Program

We have rebranded our Race Program to Competitive Program. The principal difference between the Recreational and Competitive Programs is that members of the Competitive Program will be able to participate in two additional weekly paddling sessions held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings under the coordination of a certified coach. We hope by doing this we expand membership to those seeking to obtain a more rigorous workout than might be experienced in our Recreational Program. By providing more competitive oriented coaching, participants can enhance their paddling skills, practice more up-tempo sessions and get a taste of race preparations. Those members of the Competitive Program who choose to attend festivals will make up the representatives of our race team at such festivals. In other words, the race team will be a subset of the Competitive Program. The hope is that as more and more members of the Competitive Program gain confidence in their abilities they will be more inclined to represent the Club and participate in festivals. 

The Competitive Program will be led by myself, Tricia Boehme, and expertly steered by Phil Spencer. We certainly thank Phil for coaching us through our 2021 season and for keeping people interested and engaged during our lengthy period of lock-down.

For those who don’t know me very well, I have been paddling and coaching since our boats first made their splash in 2007. In 2010 I began furthering my paddling experience/career racing at Club Crew World Championships in Macau 2010, Hong Kong 2012, Italy 2014 and Hungary 2018.  Racing with the Pickering Dragon Boat Club has helped shape my coaching skills and along with our fabulous past race crews, we had tremendous success and fun.  I look forward to being a part of our re-build this season and I hope many returning and new paddlers join in.

If any one has any questions, please reply directly to this email.

Paddles Up!

Tricia Boehme
President
BDBC