Hope the Wednesday night training was successful, I must have been there in spirit because I'm shattered! Just a few things from me...

Those of you signing up for the MR500 on 13-14 September, please send a picture to Paul ASAP (dragonboatcaptain@gmail.com). No photo means no registration, candid shots/ holiday pictures are entirely acceptable as long as you're vaguely recognisable (no masks please).

Neither Paul nor Jason are about this Saturday but fear not, help is at hand with Harlin (ex-National Philippines squad member) taking over the practice session. I'm confident that we'll all be pacing at 100 strokes per minute by the end of the afternoon. Practice will take the same format as last week, normal training 16.00 to 18.00, anyone wanting to stay on for the extra 45mns to practice freestyle stays in the boat while the rest of us warm up the beer.

Mel, Mifie, Chris and I (depending on how decisive I feel), will try and keep things coordinated but remember, if you have any spontaneous urges to get the boat in/out of the water, gather paddles/lifejackets after practice, clear the boats of discarded bottles of water, please, don't hold back! We'll love you all the more for it for not having to do it ourselves (sad but true).

Remember Isolde's leaving drinks at the Blu Jazz Cafe on Bali Lane from 20.30 onwards. And if you're wondering what to do for National Day (9th August - after that no more dodging National Service recruit bumboats on the Kallang making waves and flying oversized balloons, what a relief), Fiona has the answer:

Come and join us for the national day celebrations and some excellent food…..Our Village Indian restaurant on Boat Quay. Table booked for 20 pax at 7:30. Please let me know as soon as possible in case I need to amend the booking. Email fiona@britishdragonboat.com!