Aoraki Dragon Boat
Association (Inc)
Christchurch, NZ

Teams entered:

Open
Abreast Of Life (Chch BCS)
CPC Canterbury Dragons
Ridge Riders
Sampan Warriors
Simply the Breast (Blenheim)
Give it a Go (Spreydon Baptist)
Tu Meke

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

Schools
Avonside Girls HS (y12)
Avonside Girls HS (y13)
Christchurch Girls HS
Marian College (G)
Riccarton HS (G)
Shirley Boys
St Margarets
St Bedes College
Villa Maria (Villians)

South Island Dragon Boat Champs

Competitively, the 'main event' for the Aoraki teams is the "South Island Dragon Boat Regatta". The most recent one was on Saturday 6th March 2009 at Lake Hood. For results and report from 2009, click here. For details on the 2010 event, click here.

It is a last chance hit-out for local Adult and School teams before heading to the Nationals. This season NZDBA will host it at Lake Hood on 27 & 28-March-10, but last season they were in Rotorua.

Adults - Corporate and Open

Adult teams race on Saturday, with a set of Local trophies at stake.

The Partington Cup is presented to the fastest of any of the crews in Canterbury. In past years, teams have had to come straight from a Corporate/Open final and back it up with a very hardout race. From 2009, the Partington is presented to the fastest times on the day in the 500m course. That time might be recorded in any race (heats or final).

Typical Schedule:

• Team Briefing at Lake Hood at 10 am.
• First Race at 10:30. Five lanes per race, with 12 minutes between races
• Up to 30 minutes extra between rounds.
• Lunch from about 12:30 to 1:30
• One of the races (perhaps first round or straight after lunch) is 250 m sprints (no finals, just race times for “Hell for Leather” Cup).
• Finals are from about 5 pm to 6 pm.
• Then teams help secure the boats before the prizegiving.

After racing, there is a short break to allow organisers to clean the race area, teams to remove their tents and paddlers to shower down and scrub up. Aoraki then hosts the presentation of medals and trophies at the Ashburton Rowing Club headquarters, followed by The After Party.

Schools

In 2010, Schools will also race on Saturday along with the adults (in past seasons they have raced on Sunday). Format is the same as adults - that is, school teams have their own heats, with up to six teams per race, (the best of) four timed heats determines positions in a Finals for Boys and one for Girls teams. At the 2008 Christchurch Regatta, Aoraki Board member Scott Johnson kindly donated "The Johnson Challenge Cup" for the best Christchurch Girls team at the Christchurch Regatta, i.e. the winner of the girls final. Note that if a girls team is visiting and wins, the trophy is for the first Christchurch Girls team across the line.

The trophy presentation to the Schools is immediately after the last Final (around 4 or 5pm).

Facilities

Teams set up their tents and shelter on the north western side of the lake near the finish line, about 600m from the northern end of the lake. Local food vendors set up to serve the paddlers, their supporters and spectators. Two portaloos are already on site but another 6 or so are available for each end of the tent area.

Temporary Grandstands (courtesy of Mid Canterbury Rugby Union) will be available near the finish line and along the course.

What do I need to fill in?:
A list of all "Squad" members (up to 25 including drummer and sweep) must be submitted at least ten days before each event. Any changes to this must be notified, in writing, at least one hour prior to the first race. Your on-the-day race crew must be selected from your "squad", with three members of your squad used as reserves who may be taken in or out of the race crew at your leisure.

Have you submitted a team list? Click here to download a spreadsheet.

Regattas are run under NZDBA Race Rules