Aoraki Dragon Boat
Association (Inc)
Christchurch, NZ

Remember 3421, or 6823 and 12579

Aoraki ran its third AGM 18-August-10. Click here for the annual report from the Chair.

Meri and Jillian from ABOL have had a very successful time at Peterborough, Otario for June's IBCPC Regatta. See ABOL's new website for details, pics

Training times

Regular season

Teams should email aoraki.dragons@gmail.com with their request for 'training slots', and also when they know of any changes (including cancellations).

Pegasus

The following are training times and slots for Pegasus for this season just gone season (Oct-11 to March-12). Last updated 08-Nov-2011

Teams marked with an asterisk * are likely to alternate weeks between different venues (eg Pegasus and Kaiapoi). Note, weekend bookings may be restricted, due bookings by sailing club, waka ama etc.

The first team out will need to unlock the boat(s) and the sweep oar crate.  And the last team out must return the boats and lock the gear up!

Kaiapoi

One of the old boats is in a lockup compound on the Kaiapoi River. See Rick Smith or Marie Childs for access.

The first team out will need to unlock the boat - last team out must return the boats and lock up!

Roto Kohatu

CIAL team have arranged with CCC to use the smaller of the lakes at Roto Kohatu. They have CPC's Champion Boat (plus one of Aoraki's) on an Aoraki trailers, locked up in CIAL's maintenance yard. See Vai Papali'i for access.

And from Owles Terrace:

The Avon River is out of bounds UFN. The earthquakes have rendered the Avon River not fit for use, so Aoraki has arranged for teams to use Lake Pegasus Until Further Notice. Even when Ecan says the polution is no worse than before the earthquake, Aoraki does NOT RECOMMEND paddling in the Avon. Pegasus water is still cleaner than Avon on a good day.

On this page: Pegasus - Kaiapoi - Roto Kohatu - Owles Terrace

On the water training is as shown (one hour slots), at Pegasus Lake (click for web cams of the lake). Kaiapoi River is also an option.

Coaches/managers, please ensure your crew are fully familiar with the safety protocol (esp 5.10 to 5.20).

NZDBA have lifted the restrictions on the number of training sessions that any team can have. In the past, Corporates have been limited to 10 sessions per season. NZ Dragon Boat season ends at the end of March, and starts again after Labour Weekend.

Schools, corporates and open teams should email aoraki.dragons@gmail.com for any changes

All teams now train from New Brighton [well, they did until the Earthquake hit!]. Two of the old boats have ‘gone south’ - one is now based in the maintenance compound at Lake Hood.  And another has gone to Dunedin to live, with a third at Kaiapoi.  Teams practice in the Champions in the shed. But note that three of Champions (sometimes stored outside the shed) belong to teams.  These (black) boats have been bought by Tu Meke, CPC and Abreast of Life, so unless you have an explicit agreement with them to borrow their boat, please use a red one (or an old boat).

'Designated' training sessions start after Labour Weekend (ie late October). There will be about seven weeks before the Aoraki Ice Breaker (approx 12-December) and another week or so training before the Christmas break. Training resumes about a week into the new year (maybe 10-Jan-11). This will allow about eight weeks training before the South Island Champs (early March), and another two or three before the Nationals. This gives about 19 weekly sessions...

Winter training

Note, teams may continue their training over winter if they wish. For example, Shirley Boys HS trained over the winter in preparation for the World Dragon Boat Champs in Prague at the end of August 2009. And St Bedes have taken rugby teams for team bonding. email aoraki.dragons@gmail.com for details.

Remember 3421, or 6823 and 12579