British Dragon Boat Team, Singapore

Hello Paddlers!

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

Hello Paddlers,

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

Hello Paddlers,

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.

Hello Paddlers,

A very exciting message from Paul, so if interested, please READ and RESPOND via EMAIL (dragonboatcaptain [at] gmail.com) NOW!

Dear All,

I have just received a call and email from Angie at SAVA (see below) to ask us, The British Team, to supply two escort boats for the Singapore Dragon Boat Segment of the Queens Baton Relay for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This is an unbelievable opportunity for us all, and great publicity too. We will have our 2 escort boats paddle with the national team from the steps of The Esplanade to the Merlion and then on to the Singapore Flyer. This will happen on Sunday 6th June just after lunch. I have naturally said yes as this is not something you say no to.

We will need to have at least 16 paddlers in each boat, 1 drummer and 1 cox for each.

Sunday morning training will be cancelled and instead we will use this as our training, it’s a great opportunity as we will have drums.

We need everyone in their finest team kit to represent the team (P.S. Mel says don’t forget to wear your BANDANA), and support Singapore and the Commonwealth Games. When they open in Delhi later this year we can be proud of the fact that we did our small part.

I will receive more information on exact times and format soon. In the meantime I need to have everyone’s name so we can put together the boats. The team should see this as a great training opportunity, a time to show off our team (there will be camera crews and photographers, etc) and have a great afternoon training session. Please ensure you free yourself on the 6th for a few hours and we plan to have a late lunch afterwards too (also to be discussed closer to the time).

If you are not from a Commonwealth country or would like to no more about the Commonwealth Games, please see below:

View the baton being transported in Samoa aboard an OC.

Dear Paul

Every four years the Commonwealth Games is hosted by a member nation of the Commonwealth. This year India is hosting the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi. One of the longest relays in history, The Queen’s Baton Relay is the traditional curtain raiser to the Commonwealth Games. The Baton commenced its journey at Buckingham Palace in London on 29th October 2009 and is currently traversing the length and breadth of the Commonwealth, visiting all of the 71 Commonwealth nations (home to one-third of the world’s population) before embarking on a 100-day national tour of India. By the end of this epic journey, the Baton will have travelled for 340 days and covered in excess of 190,000 kilometres, passing through the hands of many thousands of individuals, across land, air, sea and on many different modes of transport, conveying its message to its final destination Delhi.

During this marathon journey the Queen’s Baton will visit the smallest country per square kilometre in the Commonwealth – Malta, and the largest – Canada. It will also travel to some of the most remote places in the Commonwealth, including St Helena – an island off the west coast of Africa, which is only accessible by boat. The relay will conclude in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at the Opening Ceremony of the Games on Sunday 3rd October 2010.

The Queen’s Baton will arrive in Singapore on Sunday, 6th June 2010 for one day.

When the Baton is in Singapore, the mission (whilst highlighting the Games itself) is to bring together, in as representative a manner, as many members of the community as possible. The Baton will commence its journey at His Excellency the High Commissioner of India’s residence and will travel down Orchard Road to the Esplanade. It will travel in several unusual modes of transport, including a dragon boat in Marina Bay, a convertible sports car along the F1 circuit and even an SBS bus. It will ascend the full flight of stairs of the Swissotel Stamford hotel , and will ride on the Singapore Flyer. It will visit the new and iconic School of Arts and SMU, the newest University in Singapore. It will be carried by the VIPs, Team Singapore athletes, disabled athletes, children stricken with cancer and representatives from the oldest and the newest junior colleges. It will end the day at the F1 Paddock Building where a colourful reception awaits the arrival of the baton.

The Singapore leg of the relay is an important event, and part of an historic moment. By highlighting what is new in Singapore, the modern meets the traditional in a special bringing together of the people of Singapore.

SAVA is proud to have been appointed once again (for the third consecutive Commonwealth Game) by the Singapore National Olympic Council to organise the relay in Singapore.

The Singapore National Dragon Boat Team will be receiving the Queen’s Baton at The Esplanade (steps by the open air theatre) around 2.00pm on the 6th June. We would very much wish you to be a part of this special occasion by providing two full dragon boats as escorts for the Singapore National Dragon Boat Team (using your new dragon boats with the union flag livery and paddlers to be in full British Dragons racing uniform). One dragon boat on either side of the National Team’s boat, the three dragon boats will paddle towards The Merlion (for photo opportunities with the Queen’s Baton), then to the Singapore Flyer where the Queen’s Baton will be handed over to the VP of Singapore National Olympic Council for the next segment. After this, your duties will be over.

We sincerely hope that the British Dragons will be able to accept this invitation and look forward to your favourable reply.

Commonwealth Games – Delhi