Just to let you know that Mel is organising a Comedy Night Evening (at the JustLogoff Comedy Club) NEXT Thursday (29 July) and I’m hoping that you can see the attached poster which has all the details. If not, please check out the website.

PLEASE can you email Mel (mel [at] britishdragonboat.com) so that she can estimate numbers. Tickets are normally $50, but a 20% discount has been offered to all paddlers (so $40). Payment is on the door, just let them know you are with the British Dragons Group.

When – Thursday 29 July 2010 – 8pm

Where – The Pavilion at Far East Square

See you soon, Rebecca

Hi all,

Last call for the Barbarian trips to Thailand and Hong Kong (details below). The deadline for submitting your names is THIS Monday 26th July.

Please contact Adrian if you’re interested (adrian.zuber@gmail.com).

As always a $100 non-refundable deposit is required.

22nd Thailand International Swan Boat Race 2010 & “King of the World Dragon”

Dates: 18, 19 September 2010

Where: the Chao phraya river, Ayuttaya

Hong Kong “Shaukeiwan” race

Dates: 3rd October 2010

Where: Hong Kong

Many thanks

Adrian

On behalf of the team we would like to wish all the Macau-bound British Dragons the best of luck at the World Championships next week.

We hope you enjoy the experience and look forward to hearing all about it on your return to Singapore (hopefully with some bling to show off too!)

Party hard, paddle harder!

A message from Nicky and Gemma:

Come and join us THIS Saturday after training for ‘Satay, Slurp & Swing’. We will start with dinner at Lau Pa Sat (8pm). For those that want to move on, we will head towards Boat Quay for a few drinks after dinner. Finally, for the hardcore among us, we can go to a club to swing our hips into the wee small hours!

It would be great to see as many of you there as possible, so please come if you can – even if it’s only for dinner.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday,

Gemma & Nicky, your Social Secretaries

P.S. Save the date for the team weekend away (something similar to Sibu’s weekend away last year); Friday 20th (pm) to Sunday 22nd August. Cost is approximately $300. More details to follow soon, but please register your interest NOW to Gemma (pepperpot95 [at] hotmail.com) or Nicky (colonialmarsh [at] ymail.com).

See you soon, Rebecca

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN!

And now, for everyone… If you weren’t racing this weekend or weren’t about when announcements about THIS week were made, this message is just for you:

THIS Wednesday – YES, there WILL (woohoo!) be pool practice at Farrer Park Swimming Complex (7-9pm);

THIS Saturday – an EASY practice (this time we mean it) 4-6pm, but be at Kallang at 3.30pm, to be on the water by 4. We’ll be popping by/gate-crashing Marina Bay for the Big Carnival (http://www.bigcarnival.sg/BigCarnival/).

THIS Saturday Evening – British Team social, no details (yet), but all we need is a time and place to head to which we can set on the day. The aim is to hang out, enjoy each other’s company, have dinner somewhere nice/cheap/cheerful, maybe move on to somewhere else, see where we end up because…

THERE WILL BE NO 9AM PRACTICE THIS SUNDAY!

Enough capitals from me, shame I don’t believe in emoticons, see you all soon, Rebecca

First of all, welcome back to those who went to Okinawa, looking forward to the pictures!

And next, to the more pressing matters at hand, namely THIS weekend.

We need you to be at BEDOK RESERVOIR for 7.30am (it never gets any easier), with all details of the Singapore Dragon Boat Festival 2010 here, although the website won’t let us download the darn race timetable.

Regardless of your mode of transportation (taxi, cart, horse, donkey), please make sure you’re all on time. In case you missed the small print previously, I’ll say it again, 7.30am.

Emergency contacts, as always, are Mel, Mifie, or me (Rebecca. If ever you get delayed on the way to Bedok, we usually leave you with a minute window of opportunity before starting the nasty phone calls, so make sure you get your grovelling apology in first.

As far as we know, we don’t have a tent, it’s all on a first come/first served basis. We’ll try and bag that prime reservoir view location, not quite under the tannoy, with enough coverage to shelter us all either from the sun and/or monsoon-like weather. If you happen to get to Bedok first, please make sure to stake that claim.

Those taking part are:

Gill / Nicky / Pam / Steph / Vithya / Caroline / Ellie / Gemma / Johanna / Kenny / Mel / Rebecca / Shobhana / Mifie / Jo

Andy / Chetan / Hans / Kenneth / Melvin / Paul R / Phil M / Kian Wee / Daniel / Dennis / Gary / Paul M / Phil H / Stephen / Surojit / Chris / Graham / Robert / Robin / Brandon / Adrian

Mel and Mifie want your money, $40 in any denomination, as long as it’s EXACT change. You will be given a RACE TAG, which you will WEAR for the ENTIRE weekend (or, needless to say, face the consequences).

Breakdown of $40 covers race registration fee, Saturday’s Sandwich Shop sandwiches, Sunday’s dinner at and all the water/100+ you can drink over the two days. There will be some beers (SKOL?) made available for some post-Saturday race drinking.

What to wear:

Racing kit (including bandana or British Team cap). If you need kit from Kenny, please email with your requirements NOW (k_bella12 [at] yahoo.com), so that she can bring drinking shirts/racing singlets ($30/$35) or bandanas ($5) down to Bedok.

As ever, we are a photogenic team, people admire our sense of style, veneer and sophistication, so please don’t let the side down, and come colour coordinated this weekend. Don’t forget your flip flops, there’s a strict requirement for paddlers to wear these upon entering the boat, or you will not be allowed to paddle at all.

For Sunday evening (Malted Milk, see below – 7.30/8pm), drinking shirt, medals and whatever else matches.

What to bring:

Sunscreen (hoping that it doesn’t rain), sense of humour, mosquito repellent.

Sunday lunch – Pot Luck Lunch – at the last Bedok race, Nicky mentioned something ‘exciting, nutritious, that can be shared’, Andy mentioned bananas, so anything in between is good.

Please note:

Times for races are subject to change so PLEASE:

1) know which event you’re competing in (refer to the carefully prepared laminated race sheets, they are an invaluable source of information);

2) stay close to the team tent;

3) let us know when you think you’ll be back if the call of duty/nature finds you.

How to behave:

With decorum – it’s a usual request to all British Team paddlers to maintain a cooperative, dignified and becoming behaviour throughout the weekend. If you have the urge to talk detrimentally about something or someone, switch the topic to the weather, works every time, we Brits created the concept after all.

Boat layouts and other contentious topics should be discussed directly with the captains, if they arise. Know that everything takes a lot of planning and hard work, so please bear that in mind before going on the proverbial warpath. Actually, try something different, if you’re entirely happy with something, share that feeling too.

Hope you’ve all let PAUL know (hint, hint email him NOW if you haven’t – dragonboatcaptain@gmail.com) whether you’ll be taking part in the SPECIAL CHARITY RACE mentioned in the last email. This is for Community Chest (http://www.comchest.org.sg/comchest/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx), it’s 10 crew for a special 300 metre race and the cost is $20.

Post-Race Party

THIS Sunday’s party venue will be at MALTED MILK (http://www.ubluesgroup.com/studiom/ ) and it won’t be a late one as it’s licensed until 11.59pm, although eager beavers can move on to somewhere else should the fancy take them. Malted Milk is located between The Gallery Hotel & StudioM Hotel at Robertson Quay, has a large selection of beers (deals include buckets of beer from $40, individual bottles $9) plus ‘lots of yummy food’ according to Gemma, including stew, pizza, chicken wings, calamari, sausages.

PLEASE EMAIL GEMMA NOW (pepperpot95@hotmail.com ), Friday morning at the LATEST, to confirm whether you’re coming to dinner (7.30-8pm) and any dietary requirements (Vegans, Vegetarians, Pescatarians, we know who you are, but an email is ALWAYS necessary). Those of you NOT racing but wanting to socialize, mingle, re-enact our victorious moments, dinner is $20, the more the merrier, but PLEASE email Gemma TOO so that she has a rough estimate for numbers.

See you bright and early on Saturday, Rebecca

A few messages, some from me, some from Paul, so here goes…

As you may know, the majority of our Committee is NOT here this weekend due to work plans, travel plans, racing plans (Go Team Okinawa!)… However, those that remain, namely Mel, Kenny, myself, WILL be there tomorrow and are very much looking forward to a FANTASTIC training session, partly through your incredible paddling prowess, and mostly through your unwavering support in getting boats out/in, life jackets on/off and clipped back up, money handed over (obviously not in that order), and all those other things about training that make it all so team-spirited and enjoyable. Jason WILL be leading the training so time to get that last minute practice in before the Singapore Dragon Boat Festival at Bedok Reservoir NEXT weekend…

I’m also wondering how many eager beavers want to do early morning Sunday training so we’ll have a vote tomorrow afternoon as to how many of you will be showing up the next day.

And now over to Paul:

Here are the people that have signed up to the Bedok Race:

Gill / Nicky / Pam / Steph / Vithya / Caroline / Ellie / Gemma / Johanna / Kenny / Mel / Rebecca / Shobhana / Mifie / Jo

Andy / Chetan / Hans / Kenneth / Melvin / Paul R / Phil M / Kian Wee / Daniel / Dennis / Gary / Paul M / Phil H / Stephen / Surojit / Chris / Graham / Robert / Robin / Brandon / Adrian /

More information will be given regarding race times for the weekend after the team managers meeting (THIS Tuesday, any volunteers to go to the briefing?) and emailed during the week.

PLEASE note – there will be a SPECIAL CHARITY RACE at the Bedok Race. This is for Community Chest (http://www.comchest.org.sg/comchest/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx) and we have been asked to submit 10 crew teams for a special 300 metre race.

Nearly all the international teams have agreed to do this, some are entering several crews, and I would like to ask you if you’d like to participate. If yes, we will submit 2 boats. This means that each of us will have to donate SG$20, (meaning that the British team could potentially contribute SG$720). All the money goes to charity, 16 to be precise. Please confirm to PAUL (PLEASE EMAIL PAUL: dragonboatcaptain@gmail.com) if you’d like take part in this, 9 people have already confirmed so far, thank you!

After the race, there will be a team dinner at a new (and as yet undisclosed) venue! After three great years of being sponsored by The Pump Room, times are changing, we’re parting ways and moving on. We are currently in discussions with several prospective bars and beer sponsors, all of which are looking promising for the team, with finalised details to be passed on to you soon.

And now for something different…

Seatec Personal Buoyancy Vets – SG$32

Whilst in Putrajaya, we stumbled upon a Singaporean company with a great new life vest concept. Designed by dragon boaters for dragon boaters, these fasten over the shoulders and at the waist. They even have a small pocket at the front… handy for: coins, keys or whistles, oh and wait for it, a lippy for the girls!!!

If anyone suffers from abrasions/chafing/friction burns due to the current team jackets, this could be your answer to much more comfortable training sessions, plus the joy of being the proud owner of a life vest which you can imbue at will with your very own pheromones!

We’re being offered a special team rate of SG$32 per life jacket. We will only be ordering these in red.

Mel & Kenny will have a sample for you to try out over the next few trainings, with money and orders being taken from THIS Saturday. Five people have their names down already for life vests so get your orders in quickly!

(Which reminds me, SHORTS, those of you who’ve ordered them, and want to pay me SG$58 tomorrow, I’m amenable to all cash/cheque/giro settlements).

See you tomorrow, Rebecca

A message from Gill:

All Ladies taking part in Divas races to arrive for practice paddle at 11am.

Men should arrive at 12 for registration, Paul and Andy will liaise before Saturday with further details.

Anyone else wishing to cheer the team along and have a good laugh at the drags are welcome anytime from 12. Anyone not taking part who wishes to attend the BBQ are welcome, the cost is $25 on the day.

Also an important message for anyone wanting to register for the coming 2 races, the deadline has been EXTENDED, we must receive registration for both races BY Sunday 13th (THIS sunday). Anyone registering AFTER Sunday will not be entered for these races.

Captains Paul, Gill and Andy with the Queen's Baton

Since 1958, the Queen’s Baton relay, one of the greatest traditions of the Commonwealth Games, has been symbolising the unity and shared ideals of the Commonwealth of Nations. Every four years, the relay is an opportunity for Commonwealth communities to actively participate in the games’ celebrations, with the Baton carrying Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘message to the athletes’, while passing through member nations on land, by air, sea and utilising many different modes of transportation.

The Queen’s Baton Relay 2010 Delhi commenced from Buckingham Palace, London, on the 29 October 2009. By the time it reaches the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games on 3 October 2010, this uniquely designed Baton will have travelled over 190,000 kilometers in 340 days. On arrival, Her Majesty’s message will be removed from the Baton and read aloud to the athletes and spectators, marking the official opening of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

On Sunday 6^th June 2010, the British Chamber of Commerce Dragon Boat Team was invited to escort the Singapore National Dragon Boat Team in order to ensure the safe passage of the Queen’s Baton in a special dragonboat segment as part of its one-day journey through Singapore. At our first port of call, the waterfront steps of the open air theatre of the Esplanade, the Commonwealth Committee presented the Baton to the National Team’s coach, and all paddlers proudly joined in a Paddle Salute to mark this momentous occasion.

With the National Team taking the lead from the Esplanade in a Pink Spartan’s dragonboat (the Pink Spartans being a team formed by Breast Cancer Survivors), the three boats proceeded to the iconic Merlion, where supporters had gathered to witness and celebrate this leg of the Baton’s progress around Singapore. The last leg involved paddling from Marina Bay to the Singapore Flyer, where the Commonwealth Committee handed the Baton to the VP of Singapore National Olympic Council for the next segment of its onward journey to the F1 pit. SAVA was appointed for the third consecutive Commonwealth Games by the Singapore National Olympic Council to organise the relay in Singapore.

An amazing afternoon of paddling was had by all….a once in a lifetime experience!

For more photos visit the Flickr group.

Please register for the following upcoming events.

Take note of the cut off dates. Late registrations will not be accepted.

• Singapore International Water Festival 2010 (SIWF)
  The event organised by Singapore Polytechnic and PUB will take place on one day either the 26th or 27th June (to be confirmed) at Marina Barrage. This is the weekend after Putrajaya. It should be fun and great for us as its a 500 metre race.
  Cut off date is midnight Sunday 6th June.

• Dragon Boat Festival 2010 (SDBF 2010)
  Organised by SDBA at Bedok Reservoir on 10th & 11th July 2010. One of the main race weekends of the year.
  
  Cut off date is midnight Sunday 12th June.

Click here for the registration form.