Gung Haggis dragon boat team goes to Burnaby and places 5th in the top final at the Bill Alley Memorial Dragon Boat Regatta.

Gung Haggis dragon boat team gets ready for their first race of the season, as they paddled to the start line.   photo T.Wong

It was an exciting day of dragon boat racing, as the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team opened their race season at the Lotus Sports Club's Bill Alley Memorial Dragon Boat Regatta, Saturday, May 1st, 2010, at the Barnet Marine Park in Burnaby.

Weather threatened rain in the morning, but sunny periods turned to full sunshine by mid afternoon.  Winds and tides picked up in the afternoon to make racing more challenging.

Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team won both of their first heats to advance to the top division final – The Bill Alley Division, above the gold, silver, bronze and jade divisions.  This was the first time the Gung Haggis team has advanced to the top division.  As well, the team competed in the Mixed Adult A Challenge race.  Gung Haggis came 5th in both race finals.

Great racing, and Great team work!
Everybody worked well together off and on the water.

Lots of challenges for today's weather, waves, and new team mates. 

Gung Haggis paddlers line up for the first race of the day!
See more pictures: click here

Congratulations to our ROOKIES!
you havenow been baptized by the waves of Barnet Marine Park.
Jennifer, Gena, Adam, Evan Resnick, Evan Pownall.
Great racing – all of you!

Thank you to our steers people Dave and Steven – keeping us on track as usual.

Thank
you to our captains Jim and Steven – making the line-ups, getting us
into the top 5, and the wonderful leadership on and off the boat.

“One finger lift to the sky” – Gung Haggis paddlers lift rookie lead stroke Jennifer up into the air, in a Gung Haggis dragon boat team tradition. – photo D.Martin

Special thank yous to our paddlers who helped with the
dragon parade, and the lion dance.  Over $300 was raised for the Lotus
Juniors “Bill Alley Memorial scholarship fund.”  I did know Bill – who
was one of the founding members of Lotus Club.  A few years ago, he was
hit by a car on Barnett Hwy.  His widow Barb helped us load the boats. 

We are grateful and appreciate our long time friendship with
Lotus Sports Club.  Steven's uncle and brother were founding members. 
Dave Samis is a club member and has brought Nancy, Debbie, Walter and
Christine to paddle outrigger canoes with Lotus.  My first dragon boat
coach in 1993, is Grace Morrisette – one of the race organizers.

Grace and Jane – event organizers sent us this message.