How to Participate

Lively Dragon Waivers 

Dragon Boat Team Description

The Use of Personal Dragon Boat Team Equipment 

Safety 

Practice Practice Practice and Practice

Coaching 

Lively Dragon Race Awards

For all participating team members we would like to extend our  wishes for your First Place win. Each of you are worthy of first place in our eyes. In keeping with this we extend our thanks to each team member for their individual efforts which cumulate to create this event. All of you bring varying levels of skill and ability from the supreme  international athlete to the first time timid participate. 

To keep with tradition we also have medals to give to first, second and third place teams in A Division, as well as first place in every other division. We will  announce Corporate and special event Trophies on  day of the event and time permitting on our Dragon Boat Race Day page.

A winning team consists of the people paddling in the boat in the last race.  There will be 22 medals for the winning team.  If you would like to purchase more, that can be arranged.

Remember "Go For It, Less that 2 minutes to glory, You Can Do it"
We are there for you.

GOOD LUCK

Back to Top

Lively Dragon Waivers

All team members must sign and accept the waivers stating that they have read the conditions of the waivers and are aware of the risks associated with the event, and thus waive any right that they may have to any course of action against any or all of the sponsors, organizers, team members or volunteers for injury to the person (s) or loss/damage to personal property. 
All team members must also fill out a medical report form giving emergency contact names and numbers.

All team members must sign and return the waivers prior to participating in any practice or race activates.

It is the teams Captains responsibility to ensure that all team members have sign and submitted a waiver to Lively Dragon prior to participating in any practice, training session on land or water or any races. This action must be followed through with and completed before any persons may embark on one of the boats. This policy must also be applied to any temporary participant. We would like to suggest that the team Captain keep a few extra copies of the waiver on hand to cover unexpected changes.

Please remember this is for everybody's protection including team captains and members.

Please follow this link to:

Back to Top

Dragon Boat Team Description

TEAMS
Each crew must have a minimum of eight female paddlers for a total of no more than 20 paddlers in the boat, plus one steersperson and one mandatory drummer. (paddlers must be 16 or older) for the mixed division
Guaranteed minimum 3 races per crew

A registered team member is any person who is at least twelve (12) years of age or will be twelve (12) in the year of competition. No team member under the age of eighteen (18) will be allowed to practice or race without written consent and waiver signed by a parent or guardian.  

Team roster for practice and races will be composed of a crew of twenty-seven (27) crew members, one (1) team manager, twenty (20) crew members, one (1) steersperson, one (1) drummer, four (4) spares. All members are eligible to be part of the paddling crew.
(Steersperson will supplied if required).  Remember, there will be 22 medals awarded to a winning crew...NOT 27.  If you would like to purchase more medals that can be arranged.

A Registered Team member is any person who is listed on the practice or team roster that has completed a waiver.

The Race/Boat coordinator reserves the right to check the crew members in the boat and the names recorded on the team roster prior to all races.

Team lists do not have to be declared until race day when you register. (Recommend 26 on list, please note medals awarded to 22 team members--the number of people in the boat during the last race.  More medals will be available for purchace)

Back to Top

The Use of Personal Dragon Boat Team Equipment

Lively Dragon  will supply all necessary boats, paddles, life jackets and support equipment.  We ask participants to reframe from modifying the  equipment in any fashion. Please do not apply any duct tape, friction tape, strings, cords, waxes etc. to  equipment.

All Personal Floatation Devices "PFD" often referred to as Lifejackets must be approve by Canadian Coast Guard. For safety reasons we do not allow inflatable jackets. The law requires boats to be equipped with a Canadian-approved PFD or lifejacket of an appropriate size for each person on board. Lively Dragon Event organizers require that you wear it.

The PFD must have a Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans or Department of Transport approval label.

The PFD / Life Jacket must be in good repair. The organizers reserve the right to reject any life jacket that is in poor condition, does not fit the person properly or does not have the appropriate labels.

Paddles Teams may use their own paddles providing the paddles conform with the standard Dragon Boat paddles. Any paddles deemed not to conform with the standard will be rejected and the participants will be required to use supplied paddles.

Back to Top

Safety 

Please comply and enforce the safety information listed below. It is in everyone's best interests. Each Team member must take responsibility for not only his or her own safety but also the safety of the other team members and all parties involved.

 It is  highly recommended that you stay within comfortable swimming distance of shore at all times.

It is mandatory that all team members and any support persons wear a Canadian-approved personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket of appropriate size for each person at all times while participating on or near the water.

Whenever you go boating, make sure you  take appropriate safety equipment on board.

That way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re ready if something goes wrong. Also note that manufacturers and the Coast Guard recommend daylight PWC operation only.

Recommended List:

• Buoyant heaving line (15 m)
• Watertight flashlight or 3 Canadian-approved flares of type A, B or C
• Sound-signaling device
• Bailer or manual pump (its a big boat bring more that one bailer)
• Cell Phone, kept in an air tight container

Please note: 
(Inflatable PFDs are not approved for personal water craft activities)

As a boater, you’re expected to know the rules that apply on Canada’s waterways. The regulations apply to those boating on any Canadian waterways. Operators and/or owners of pleasure craft that contravene provisions set out in the following Acts, Regulations and Code could be subject to penalties or fines

This safety list has been compiled with the assistance and recommendations of the Canadian Coast Guard.

   Canadian Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety 

Back to Top

Practice Information 

Practice is the name of the game. You have got to PRACTICE. Even if your team is just for fun you will have more fun if you practice. We encourage that teams have at LEAST 4 practice sessions before race day. Each practice is usually one hour unless other arrangements are made. A coach can be hired at an additional cost.  We also recommend that brand new paddlers attend at least 2 indoor training sessions prior to getting in the boat.

Lively Dragon will make the boats available on the Friday evening and all day Saturday prior to the Milton and Christies Event.  The Hamilton Event, each team will have access to the boats for one hour time slot during the two weeks prior to the Hamilton Event.  You need to book this one hour time slot according to the Lively Dragon practice schedule so please book early! 

Before coming to practice  please have all paddlers complete and sign a waiver and return the completed waivers to the practice captain that will be on-site for your practice. Paddlers should come to practice dressed appropriately and ready to paddle - i.e., in athletic clothing  appropriate for the weather and being on the water (paddlers will get wet, and thus may wish to bring a towel and a change of clothes).  We advise that each paddler bring a bottle of drinking water. Some paddlers may wish to wear paddling gloves and may want a bum pad to sit on (to prevent sliding around).  Paddlers will be provided with paddles and Personal Floatation Devices during the practice - the practice captain will go over safety procedures prior to your team going onto the water.  

ON THE WATER BOAT PRACTICE

All boats, paddles, life jackets and drums will be provided. All equipment shall be returned intact. Replacement cost or repair charges may apply for any equipment lost or broken by the team.
1. Life jackets MUST be worn at all times while in the boat. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of the participant.
2. Boat rental is $60.00 per one hour session. Please indicate preferred practice time and date in the registration form. Practice sessions  can only be confirmed when payment is received.
3. For the safety of your crew, we do encourage you to book at least 2 (two) practice sessions before race day.
4. The practice supervisor will be responsible for the suspension or cancellation of the practices due to inclement weather conditions.
Attempts will be made to reschedule the practice, based on availability.
5. All monies collected will not be refunded (practices cancelled due to inclement weather excepted)

 Back to Top

COACHING

A Dragon Boat Paddling Workshop/Clinic for  teams will be  held within two weeks of each of the events. Please watch the websites for exact times, and locations. You must sign wavier forms. -Instructions by experienced coaches, practice on Land & in the water. 
Also you can arrange for some additional private coaching, if you desire.

A Coach is an important member of a dragon boat team.
Coaches help your team make the most of practice time:
They can teach you the proper paddle technique
They can help you determine the best team race strategy for your team
They can help you determine the best place for each person in the boat
They determine immediate and long-term practice goals
They provide hands-on instruction about paddling, starting techniques and race strategy
They give individual attention to team members who need it 

 Back to Top

WHAT YOU NEED TO HAVE
•You need 22 keen people who want to paddle, of which at least 8 should be female, PLUS one steer person and one drummer (steerspeople will be supplied by the Lively Dragon but we need to be told in advance)
•Everyone must be able to swim at least 100 ft.
•Registration fee of $500 or less if you are taking advantage of the trio.

LIVELY DRAGON WILL PROVIDE  YOU WITH
• loads of fun
•the ultimate TEAM experience
•a place to promote your company or organization within the community
•a new avenue to meet new people in a fun environment
•All the equipment, the boat, paddles, life jackets for practice and race day
•information on how to paddle
•information on team strategy
•information on how to arrange your crew in the boat
•help to find a few extra paddlers if needed
*steersperson for race day if needed
•other entertainment on race day
•a minimum of three races is guaranteed 
"all teams will have the opportunity to sign up for the 2000m races
•awards and prizes