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
Tu Meke Development
Waimak Attack

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

Schools
Avonside Girls HS (y12)
Avonside Girls HS (y13)
Christchurch Girls HS
Hillmorton High
Marian College (G)
Riccarton HS (G)
Shirley Boys
St Margarets 1
St Margarets 2
St Bedes College
Villa Maria (Villians)

South Island Dragon Boat Champs

Competitively, the 'main event' for the Aoraki teams was the "South Island Dragon Boat Regatta", a last chance hit-out for local Corporate, Open and School teams before returnig for the Nationals on 27 & 28-March-10. Teams have just competed at the Early Bird Regatta at Pegasus and now they know who they have to target - is it time for revenge?

Races

In 2010 adults and schools race on the same day - Saturday 6-March-10. A set of local trophies are at stake, including the "Hell for Leather" trophy for the Sprint series.

The Partington Cup has traditionally been presented to the fastest of any adult Canterbury crew, but in 2010 Aoraki commissioned an updated trophy. 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 by a Christhurch adult crew. That time might be recorded in any race (heats or final).

Schedule:

• Team Briefing was at Lake Hood at 10 am, with first Race scheduled for 10:30 (although there was delay in setting up the starter pontoons). There is 15 minutes between races, and 15 to 20 minutes between rounds.
• Second round, all teams race 250 m sprints (no finals, just race times). Adults compete 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 (back at the Ashburton Hotel followed by The After Party). For results, click here.

Schools

Note, in 2010 adults and schools race on the same day - Saturday 6-March-10. Qualifying is the same as adults - that is, three timed heats determines positions in a Finals for Boys/Mixed/Girls. 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 western side of the lake just south of the Ashburton Rowing Club building.

Local food vendors (including coffee, Ice Cream and a BBQ fundraiser for Long Beach Playcentre of Ashburton) set up to serve the paddlers, their supporters and spectators.

Two portaloos are already on site (plus a new toilet block to the west of the tent area, on the road in) but another 8 are available for each end of the tent area.

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. Photo verification of crews will also be in place, so teams must provide a passport size photo of each crew member. Aoraki will print photo sheets of each team, and Crew Marshalling will check them at crew loading. 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