Aoraki Dragon Boat
Association (Inc)
Christchurch, NZ

Teams were:

Open
Abreast Of Life Chch
CPC Canterbury Dragons
Ridge Riders
Sampan Warriors
Spreydon Baptist
Tu Meke

Corporates
Airways (Paddlateers)
Beca Carter (Crewsaders)
Canty Prisons (Screws Loose)
CCC (Cruisers)
CIAL (Flying Dragons)
P & N (Evacut)

Schools
Christchurch Girls HS
Riccarton HS (girls)
Shirley Boys (2)

The "Early Bird" at Chinese New Year

Saturday 9-Feb-08 was a landmark occasion. It was Aoraki 's very first event, the inaugural Dragon Boat Regatta, held in conjunction with Chinese New Year (7-Feb-2008).

Venue

The venue for the Dragon Boat racing was Kerr's Reach in Dallington. All participants seemed to agree it is a superb natural arena for the sport!

Schedule

Formal proceedings for the day started at 8:30 am with a very emotional Whakawaatea (or Maori blessing) by local kaumatua Riki Pitama. Pastor Graham Reid of Spreydon Baptist Church replied. Then a Lion Dance Troupe performed a stirring launching ritual for the boats.

Racing started around 9:30am, with each crew having four heats - the best three race times determined their place in the finals. The race draw can be downloaded here.

Races were run at 10 minutes intervals, with three boats per race. Races may include Corporate, Open and BCS teams, as well as school squads.

After the 500m Finals, a series of 200m sprint races were run. Trophy presentation was at about 4:15 after the last race (in the Riverside Pool Club).

Facilities onsite

Teams tent sites were allocated ('BYO' tents, table and furniture). These had prime viewing of the latter stages of the race, and a short stroll to "Crew loading". Tent sites are non-powered, but some facilities are available at the Riverside clubrooms (including drinking water, toilets and showers).

Six Portaloos plus a couple of flush toilets were set up between the tent area and Crew Loading (for those last minute 'nervous' ones).

Food vendors (Chinese food, Pizza, Hot Dogs and fries, Coffee, Ice Cream etc) were set up near the tent area.

Photos

Esteemed photographer Ken Baker helped record the day's events. Team photos are available to order. Size will be 8.5" x 11" mounted on card with a border at a very reasonable $15 each. Also, candid photos taken during the day and available to order from his website (6"x4" at $8 each). Teams who were at the World Champs in Sydney last September may recall they paid AUS$49 for photos there!

Race Video

Now here's a good idea! What if you could analyse a video of your race? Wouldn't that be great! Well Aoraki trialled a system where we teams can buy a DVD (about $5 each) of the regatta. Contact Aoraki to borrow our copy, or arrange a purchase.

Regattas are run under NZDBA Race Rules

See 2008 results, or 2009