So who's going to win it?
Who's going to bitch and complain again?

1. X-Paddling Collective/PDBC Elite/Whatever the hell: Its their coming out party, if their love for tight spandex didn't already give it away
2. Wongs Dragonslayers: They're gonna win when it counts at the race offs but we'll assume X comes out faster out of the gates
3. SCC Team Chiro: A year older, a year stronger
3. Mayfair: Always strong, but never the winner in the strange draw and racecourse that is Pickering
4. Scotia: I think it's going to take the new Scotia team a little time to gel before they hit the podium
5. Imperial Dragons: An improvement over their A consolation placement

A Consolation

6. Verdun Adrenaline: Go QUEBEC! Another project of the basin
7. Hammerheads: Strong performance to start the season buffered by strong competition
8. RBC: Always strong year after year, but the luck of the draw will see them in the Consolation
9. Tempest: A strong start to the season sees them play with the big boys
10. G&G: Let's paddle 5 times before the festival and humiliate everyone!

B Division

11. Blades: Still alive and strong
12. Hanalei: Always start slow and end the year at their peak
13. Piranhas: Solid as always
14. Mofos: The year they pass the Mojos
15. Mojos: The year they're passed by the Mofos

Bump them down one with Mayfair in 4th.

GG does not know his history.......

OH OH...

what did GG do wrong? do tell.

GG never makes mistakes!

Verdun
X'ers
Sudbury
Wongs
Blades
mayfair

Sudbury is not going to be the same team this year, where's Big Fish and the others?

why not? pray tell

Sudbury has lost some of its key paddlers.

Every team loses key paddlers every year, it's part of the sport.

GG...1999. check it out

yes, Mayfair won in 1999, the same year two other "A" finalists were DQ'd for jumping the start. but a win's a win.

1999 is a long time ago now. very little bearing on this year's race.

First out of the gate always provides some interesting results!

1. Senior National Programme, training hard year round
2. Wong's, time for them to step up, I think they attend March Camp?
3. X-Pads, last year was a building year, they should get faster each regatta
4. Scotia, typically does well at this regatta, have moved to strengthen an already deep roster, expect them to have a very good June
5. Mayfair, making a big push for the World Clubs, expect some of Jims Sr Men in the boat to fill any gaps - similar to GWN - 911 last year
6. Sudbury, early start got them out in front last year and they held on really well, I think they showed the teams above how to do it

Consolation
1. G&G, funny team, big roster, depending on who shows up they could contest for the championship - they were very strong in North Bay last year
2. Mowat Collegiate, aka - Junior Canadian Team, training very hard this winter, they could also surprise and make the final
3. Imperial Dragons, not sure how serious they are this year, could surprise everyone and win it all, raced well in Montreal and Toronto last year, not sure they bring all the guns to Pickering
4. Big Fish, depends on which crew shows up
5. Hanalei, could be the surprise team of the summer
6. Pineridge Collegiate, aka Junior Canadian B Team, training hard all winter will probably come off the mark quickly

who's going?

half the teams ranked do not even do the event this year lol.

G and G is a rising star.

They will clean up

I expect G&G to show well. If they get some early hydrotard training in there will be nothing that can stop them

Racing with headlamps!!! Ran way too late last year.

A

1. Senior National Team 'A'
2. Wongs
3. PDBC Elite
4. Verdun
5. Mayfair

A Consolation

6. Scotia
7. Imperial Dragons
8. Sudbury
9. Big Fish
10. G&G

Slayers should easily repeat.Last year they destroyed X-pads by half a boat.

By that logic, I pick the 2001 Imperial Dragons to win by a boat length.

Moral of the story, things change.

Haven't you heard? The Slayers have lost half of their team due to age related illness and death. The old bastards don't stand a chance this year.

Shogun Warriors are going to kick everyone's ass!!!

The Wongs are waaaaaaaay to old. They lost all the youth they had and replaced them with grandparents, seriously there are granparents on that team.

There were grand parents on that marathon team a couple of years ago , and look what they did.

The badger has dug out some predictions that were in the Beach at Frenchmans bay

It simply stated

G and G will win the festival, and drink the most beer.


The reason is the new Hydro Tard training method. It is hard to beat a team that has training methods that are years ahead of other teams.

Take CARE

BADGER OUT

Who is G and G? I know who the Wong's are and they are going to win.

G & G - hot women - even hotter in hydrotards!!

G&G? Hot women?
May I suggest one of these:

G&G know how to party like its 1999.

I don't know who G and G are but I have a sudden urge to party with them.

Some from your list(s) will not at the very least.

Anon..you have to bring your own cooler and be willing to dance on it to party with G&G

Didn't G & G almost win North Bay last year?

G&G in North Bay != G&G in Pickering

Almost win...they did win.

I would call all these postings shameless self promotion if I didn't know that they're just a bunch of old school paddlers who love sharing in-jokes over the forum.

Sure they'll have fun, but win it? I don't see it happening.

But if they stay sober, who knows?

I'll take promoting yourself over slandering others (the modus operandi around here) anyday

start a G-G thread!!!

I would like to set the facts straight on G and G

G and G guys have the most Body hair
It is the only Crew that has 15 coaches (that coach all at the same time)
Has many training camps including the incredible Hydro Tard training
Does not participate in the island festival (yet)
Has more interesting bus rides than Robert Plant in his Led Zepplin days
Is paid for success in beer
Are not afraid to wear unitards in the heat of the paddle


MOST OF ALL

WILL WIN IN PICKERING

Do any of you G & Gers know Ditmar. If so, try getting him on your boat.I'd love to race against him>

Funny that everyone is so sure of the Wongs demise but in the ranking they are still in the top three. Personally I wouldn`t underestimate them, I`ve lost too many races to those old bastards...

It would be nice to win against them though, Sweet!!!

WONG BABYLONG CLANG

Wong BABYLONG CLANG????????????

what the f*** does that mean? That some kind of Que thing?

Wong know's

Reminds me of the hey day when Mofo's reigned supreme..

Wongs
Mayfair
Verdun
PDBC
Imps
Hammerheads
Big Fish

I don't know about the Wongs this year, my spies tell me that they lost 8 team members this year. That has got to hurt man. 8, damn, we lost three last year and it hurt us and was hard to replace. I hear they don't even have a full roster. Oh well, life is tough, let's see how they handle defeat. They've been classy winners let's see if they cry like babies or take it like a man...I include their women in this...

Some people are so stupid.........geez.

So what if they lost some team members ...they can just move some up from their other teams and I'm sure w/ a few months of serious training they would be nearly as strong if not stronger .

Our team has done the same thing and we are actually stronger now and our times in a 500 are considerably faster .Never under estimate the unknown ......

Actually, the Slayers had 10-11 people go.
Still have experience on their side. Years, and years, and years of experience

If you go to the pdbc web site, they only have 13 teams confirmed as entered as of March 8....apparently they usually have about 70 teams registered by this time!!! Maybe everyone is boycotting Pickering this year and these predicitions will all be wrong!!!!

A
1. Mayfair Predators (open)
2. Hammerheads (open)
3. GG Draggons (open)
4. Blades (open)
5. Tempest (open)

what if they replaced their 10 paddlers for 10 awesome paddlers?
Watch out!

Good teams are talent siphons. People leave, but there's usually plenty of willing replacements because the want to be part of a good program. They suck up emerging talent from other teams, or attract talented newcomers. That's why the top teams tend to stay on top from year to year, or at least close to the top. Look at the Imps and Mayfair for instance. Both maintained good crews despite years of turnover.

many teams are taking a pass finally. I wonder how the Island registration is going?

With cheap good water in Stouffville and with the GWN sport regatta at around the same time Pickering may be in for a bit of a surprise.

The Wongs lost 10 paddlers? Ouch, that's gotta hurt. What happened? They just retired? I've seen their B team. Ok, but not exactly a pool of awesome talent. The Wongs better have replaced their old strong paddlers with something equivalent or better, otherwise they are in serious trouble come this summer. We'll all soon see, won't we?

What is with Senior National Team in predictions ?
They racing as a regular team?

Apparently so. They are one of those "we are club crew, we are national team, we are community crew, we are corporate crew, depending on who is asking" crews.
Good for them. They gave up everything for this team, wives, husbands, children, they gave it all up just so they can go back in time 40 or 50 years and feel young and superior to someone, somewhere.

The Senior National Paddlers have been "asked" not to paddle for their regular club, and are using these events as warm-up regatta's.
So I presume they will be "released" after the Worlds in Berlin to paddle for whichever crew they choose.

It's all about fund raising. Suck in as many wannabe's as possible, extract money and form your crew at the last minute from the people you expected to paddle right from the beginning.

too much false hope being sold.

False hope? Please, these are grown ups we are talking about.
The whole thing is out in the open, if they chose to be blind to it, it's their own fault.

"So I presume they will be "released" after the Worlds in Berlin to paddle for whichever crew they choose."

Oh yeah, plenty of the season is left after August 6-7. Maybe they can do GWN with teams that they haven't paddled for all year long, that is if they aren't completely sick of paddling by then.

The SNP is dedicated, but kind of pyschotic. Lots of defections this year from what I hear. This group could have really used a year off.

"They gave up everything for this team, wives, husbands, children, they gave it all up just so they can go back in time 40 or 50 years and feel young and superior to someone, somewhere."

Actually by the time you are an over 40 paddler, you realize that "feeling superior" is meaningless. You gotta be superior. And, gosh darn it, the seniors were. Hmmm. Perhaps you are just jealous. (kidding ....)

"They gave up everything for this team, wives, husbands, children, they gave it all up just so they can go back in time 40 or 50 years and feel young and superior to someone, somewhere."

That sounds a bit far fetched. How many times per week to these guys train?

Strange they cant paddle with their regular teams since they got them to the point of being able to make the team. I am surprised at Macks decision to do this...

I guess that's how you form a Club Crew....cough erm National Crew

You heard it here all the world, Verdun is going to win this year. The Wongs suck and are death, Mayfair and all else are weak and Verdun is going to Florida whole team for bonding and fun and will take over the top in d boat this season. way to go Verdun your time is here

makes the hole team looks stoopid, please stop

No you dont beleive now BUT YOU WILL SEE!!!
WAIT YOU WILL SEE.

Verdun hired Maple Bear for marketing purposes?

Must have, if they all have money to go to Florida...maybe they`ve scored a new sugar daddy/PR rep

Sudbury sent their entire team down to Florida last year and look how their season turned out.

other crews have sent a large contigent to Florida camps and haven't prospered...

That's because other crews weren't Verdun.
Verdun's special. You see, it's their third year with this crew and everybody knows that third year paddlers are the best.

Nope, 2nd year. Last year was the Rammin-Verdun merger.

did someone call my name?

Check your facts. Sudbury did NOT send their whole team to the Florida training camp. Not saying it didn't hurt, but that is not the main reason they did so well last year.

Is Pickering still on?Heard registration was VERY low.

No one wants to site around all day and into the evening while getting frustrated by inept officiating.

Or maybe no one wants to pump money into the all-star team program they are developing

Or maybe there are just some better options

So many possibilities

Or maybe Pickering just SUCKS!!!!!!!

Verdun...BMO...Slayers
Looks like Montreal will be fighting for first place for top Montreal team. It could be anyone's race this year. From what I heard a mixed crew from across the board beat both Verdun and BMO in the final races at the Florida training camp in the A division.

from what I hear the registration for Pickering is going quite slow. How many teams have actually signed up......

Anyone who thinks that using the Florida "races" is a good indicator of a season to come has not been to the camp. The mini regatta is merely a fun thing full of wash riding with just enough room to get your paddle in. Everyone finishes at the line at about the same time, so that no one is feeling too bad, or good, about their result.

The camp is great, but please do not think that there are results from this thing.

And yes, Verdun looked very strong and will no doubt be a big player this year - as they have been for several years already.

Word is that there's a mystery team from outside the GTA (possibly the same name as last year but greatly changed) ready to make a big leap. Look out everyone. While some people argue on the forum, this group has been training hard all winter and is both mentally and physically much sharper.

Golden Plate Warriors?

because all the top GTA teams took the winter off from training seriously to hang out here on the forum lol.

I knew it sounded like a bad idea when it was suggested, but we seemed so sure it would make us faster.

Anyone not in the top 10-15 already would be hard pressed to make a huge jump. Unless they have huge change over with much improved paddlers joining the team I can't even imagine how much training they would need to make a significant move on the existing good teams.

Anyone who thinks that there aren't a lot of teams that did extensive training in the off season is naive at best.

All who say Verdun was not good don`t no nothing. They are number 1 and will win all of it this year. They trained hard at camp three times a day and everybody said they were the best and strongest and NOT STEROid crew. Even if they have x-wong on it they are going to win

me

Not sure anyone said they didn't think Verdon would be good this year.

They were good last year, so being good or better this year shouldn't surprise anyone. Lots of teams trained hard. It will be interesting to see which make the biggest moves... In both directions I guess.

Golden Plate Warriors? Didn't they get bitch slapped at their local regatta by the local Junior crew?

I saw Verdun in Florida and they looked strong but not amazing.

My top three predictions for Pickering are:

1. Wong's (yes they lost some paddlers but the replacements are just as strong and in some cases better, I have good connections on this team!)

2. Verdun (strong but not quite there yet. Verdun will get an entry into the 2006 club crews later in the year)

3. Mayfair (The ultimate bridesmaid)

"ultimate bridesmaid"

uh, didn't Mayfair win this regatta few years back?

seems like the only regatta that continually eludes mayfair is TIDBRF, but not every team can win every festival. doesn't make them a "bridesmaid".

no, that would be the hammerheads

If your definition of "bridesmaid" is a team with a lot of second place finishes and not a lot of gold medals, then the Hammerheads do seem to fit the bill......BUT...I know of no better motivation for coming back stronger every year than almost winning. So you can go ahead and laugh in your sleave at them, but I consider them a very motivated and dangerous opponent.

xpads! at least at the island.

Verdun ever beat mayfair?

Really had to dig deep to find this one, but Verdun beat Mayfair at the Club Crew Qualifiers for Rome. Twice they placed third to Mayfair's fourth.

At no other race can I even remember the two contesting for a medal.

Not meee = maplebear? We have missed you!

Not so deep - GWN final last year?

... and Lachine and Pickering, all with Mayfair coming out ahead last year.

"my mom says she can beat the crap out of your dad"

It's not a pissing contest - one poster said they couldn't remember the two crews competing for a medal. They were in three finals against each other last year. An enviable level of consistency IMO. Just pointed out Mayfair won since there was some question of the last time Verdun beat them.

Mayfair raced them at the 200meter knockout in Lachine.
Final A racing at its best.
(Wongs/X'ERS/Mayfair/Verdun?)

Mayfair wasn't in fact at Pickering last year. The hot sun and long waits seem to have affected my memory.

what's with verdun's drop and inconsistency since the rome race off?

Here's my 2 cents. A brand new team (mine) is going to come in and all of your predictions will amount to nothing more than fortune cookie fodder.

Hey, slow burn, nobody's made any last place predictions, so how could they be wrong?

What's the update on registered teams?

looks like there are between 40 & 50 teams as of yesterday: http://www.pdbc.ca/event/regatta/pickeringdragonboatchallenge.htm

If registration stands as it is.

1. Mayfair Predators
2. Verdun DBC-Adrenaline
3. Hammerheads
4. GG Draggons
5. Tempest
6. (The) Blades

Strange. Info packet said that Wongs were going but they're not in the list of registered teams.

Top 10 at Pickering

1 Verdun DBC-Adrenaline
2 Mayfair Predators
3 Hammerheads
4 Tempest
5 GG Draggons
6 Mofos
7 (The) Blades
8 St. Robert Clintar Wave Cutters
9 St. Joseph's Health Centre-The Saints
10 UofT UC Water Dragons

Rob Chang is not coaching UC this year. Let's see how they do now.

Where are the Wongs and the Imps? Are they not showing in pickering? I guess we will have to wait until the NACCC to see all the top teams race against each other.

to see all the top all-star throw together teams race each other. I don't think my team is even going to bother.

THE WONGS ARE COMING!!!!!
THE WONGS ARE COMING!!!!!

The Wong Club Dragonslayers will indeed be at Pickering to defend their title.

Should be fun.

Good. The Wongs are always great competition, one of the teams that raise the level of competition just by showing up.

Will they successfully defend their title? The season hasn't yet begun, so no one's beaten anyone yet .

wong slayers willnot do so good VERDUN is number one on the poduim with all the medal this year and is gone to start in onake steroid free for all too see, you will see

I hear Verdun has replaced all of its paddlers with Maplebear clones.

An inside source of mine had confirmed this to be true.

Is the Pickering registration closed now (06-05-05)?

Verdun is too young to win races. The Wongs will show them the way to the gold.

Watch out for Bod Squad! Mark my words!

Verdun is too young to win races. The Wongs will show them the way to the old.

1 Hammerheads
2 Mayfair Predators
3 Verdun DBC-Adrenaline
4 Tempest
5 (The) Blades
6 GG Draggons
7 St. Joseph's Health Centre-The Saints
8 Shockwave DBC
9 Golden Plate Warriors
10 BOD Squad
11 Champions Off Track Wagering:Shogun Warriors
12 Mofos
13 Driving Force Dragon Boat Team
14 St. Robert Clintar Wave Cutters
15 UofT UC Water Dragons

1. Wongs (if they come)
2. Mayfair (solid crew)
3. GG (old school sprinting power)
4. Verdun (reportedly solid offseason)
5. Hammerheads (same as last year)
6. Blades (consistent performers)
7. Tempest (turnover)
8. Mofos ('roids at work...kidding!)
9. Driving Force (higher if they get MCC subs)
10.Golden Plate

Are PDBC/Xpads going to miss their home regatta? If they show up I'd put them at #1.

Wongs are definitely coming to Pickering.

1. FCRCC Mixed
2. Pacific Reach
3. Victoria Gorging Dragons
4. Wongs
5. Mofos

6. Tempest
7. Hammerheads
8. Mayfair
9. Cascades
10. Bytown

Mofos should win Pickering this year....

I forgot to mention that my predictions were of what the results would be if these 3 top teams from the West came out there to Ottawa.

1. FCRCC Mixed
2. Pacific Reach
3. Victoria Gorging Dragons
4. Wongs
5. Mofos

6. Tempest
7. Hammerheads
8. Mayfair
9. Cascades
10. Bytown

Just wondering if there is going to be another updated listing of registered teams coming out soon. The last one was from April 26th.

mofo's over mayfair.....get real

Ok, I'll take the bait. You silly westies didn't do very well against the vastly superior easter teams at last September's raceoff in Montreal. What makes you think that you would be so much better a mere 8 months later? Did you acquire hi-tech outboard motors that you will stealthily attach to the back of the boat? Inquiring easties want to know.

Motor will not work to their advantage as it will become imbedded in the BMO Sandbar. Advantage - Eastern Canada.

Ah yes, well do I remember the BMO Sandbar in the warm, shallow waters of Lane 1. When our arms got tired, we'd just hop out and walk the boat towards the finish line.

A little birdie told me that the Chiros are going to be there.

A Championship

1. SCC Team Chiropractic
2. Mayfair Predators
3. Verdun DBC-Adrenaline
4. Hammerheads
5. GG Draggons

A Consolation
6. Tempest
7. (The) Blades
8. RBC Royal Mojos
9. Durham Razorbacks
10. Hanalei

B Championship

11. St. Joseph's Health Centre-The Saints
12. Golden Plate Warriors
13. CIBC Mortgages - Team Dragon
14. BOD Squad
15. Hydrophobic Dragons

B Consolation

16. Champions Off Track Wagering:Shogun Warriors
17. Cyclones
18. Miracle Dragons (Hospital for Sick Children)
19. Mofos
20. Shockwave DBC

Hi all - predictions based on the registered teams list (dated May 11)

A FINAL
1 SCC Team Chiropractic
2 Hammerheads
3 Mayfair Predators
4 GG Draggons
5 Tempest

A CONSOLATION
6 Mofos
7 Verdun DBC-Adrenaline
8 (The) Blades
9 RBC Royal Mojos
10 Hanalei

A Championship
1 Hammerheads
2 Verdun DBC-Adrenaline
3 Mayfair Predators
4 SCC Team Chiropractic
5 GG Draggons
6 Tempest

A Consolation
1 (The) Blades
2 Hanalei
3 RBC Royal Mojos
4 Durham Razorbacks
5 TCBA Jr. Riptide
6 CIBC Mortgages - Team Dragon

B Championship
1 Shockwave DBC
2 Mofos
3 Driving Force Dragon Boat Team
4 Champions Off Track Wagering:Shogun Warriors
5 St. Joseph's Health Centre-The Saints
6 BOD Squad

This changes if Wong's show up. If they do, they win. Move everyone else down a spot except for Verdun, who move down at least two.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

x-pads
wongs
verdun
scc
hammers
etc

The Imps should be making an appearance.....

wongs
verdun
x-paddies
imps
scc
mayfair

Do the Imps still exist?

But are dramatically different

nope..imps folded last year. rollback your predictions.

Funny, Imps folded? You're like a writer for the National Enquirer, given poor information as always. Imps have not folded. Some turnover. Maybe 25%. They'll be in the mix.

SCC will dramatically be a different team this year. Don't know what "X" will be like this year, they fizzled somewhat last year. Wongs and Jimmy's team will both be strong, both continue to have hardcore strong women, the men flexuate, but still are able to pull off very good results. I hear Verdun is looking strong. HH should look pretty good too. Should be a good watch!

I think X-Paddlers has merged into the PDBC conglamorate Club Crew whatever so we shall see what name they come up with. I don't think they are registered for their own regatta yet as someone else has mentioned, but I can't imagine they wouldn't be at their own qualifier.

As for other top teams, rumors abound for Imps, Tempest, Wongs, SCC, Hanalai and even Mayfair having undergone transitions of either personel and/or coaching although this doesn't necessarly mean they will be any less formidable. As things progress over this season we should have a much better idea of where they all stand. Pickering as the first race for many may not be the best indicator of what to expect.

TCBA Riptide! These guys and gals will finally make the jump and play with the big boys this season. Look for a strong Pickering showing (A Cons?)

1. Wong's (if they show)
2. X (if they show)
3. Chiros
4. Mayfair
5. Verdun
6. Hammerheads
7. GG
8. Imps (if they show)
9. TCBA Riptide
10. Tempest
11. Blades
12. Royal Mojos
13. Hanalei

Whatever you're smoking pass it over!!

Can someone tall me what "flexuate" means?


heehee sorry couldn't help myself

This year should be Verdun's year.
Aller les Verduniens! C'est votre chance.
Bon chance.

Verdun paddlers look more serious then their coach(you scared now?)
G-luck to all

ummm, who is their coach anyway?

SCC Team Chiropractic - beating up on Toronto teams again
Mayfair Predators - Great White (North) Hope
Hammerheads - Owning a boat + talent siphon = fast
Verdun DBC-Adrenaline - Favorite team of Le MapleBear
GG Draggons - fastest team that never races
Tempest - I see tempest in the atmosphere
Hanalei - depends on which Hanalei shows up
RBC Royal Mojos - this merger will take time to gel but should become strong
(The) Blades - held steady last year. Dare I predict a slight decline this
year?
Mofos - I heard they are all fat now and gave up flexing
UofT UC Water Dragons - Training a tonne this year is going to pay off
St. Joseph's Health Centre-The Saints - one of last years most improved teams
CIBC Mortgages - Team Dragon - sorry I bank with Scotia
Miracle Dragons (Hospital for Sick Children) - Go Miracle Dragons!
Hydrophobic Dragons - Didn't do so hot after Center Island last year
Golden Plate Warriors - I once again regret to predict...down hill
TCBA Jr. Riptide - the Oldest junior team I've ever seen
Champions Off Track Wagering:Shogun Warriors - I ran out of smart ass
comments
BOD Squad - Who is the new monkey boy?

Rumours have spread that Attila, Tamas, Larry, Derek, and Orsh will be paddling at the Pickering Dragon Boat Challenge. This crew is trying to stack its way to the top. I won't say who, but we'll be calling them more than just Mofos after they take the title.

New Pickering Predictions:

1. Mofos: Or should I say Mofos-MCC
2. Verdun: Not the same crew that finished 10th at '03 Noram's
3. Mayfair: Jim Farintosh is in the engine this year
4. TCBA Riptide: my brother Anony, represent
5. SCC Team Chiropractic:

6. Hammerheads: Powered by Roti, and Carib!
7. Wongs: Don't call it a comeback!
8. Blades: You say a slip in the rankings, I say otherwise
9. Piranhas-Beach: Rumour has it the athens gold medal chinese c-2 is paddling with the asian sensations
10. Imperial Dragons: too much turnover to hold on to their glory

Top Three: MCC (or whatever they are calling themselves), if they show
Toss up between Verdun and Mayfair for second. Verdun is looking strong for early season. Jim F. has some of his paddlers going to Berlin, they are highly motivated, not too much turnover from last year in this crew. SCC has big time turnover - would not put them in the top three, but we will see. Hammerheads should give a good appearance, and X could surprise us. This regatta is proving to be more competitive then most thought initially.

You know the season is getting closer when the rumour mill gets cranked up another notch and the stupidity factor doubles. Even the Westies long to take part in our regional scrum by posting an Ottawa fantasy prediction in a Pickering thread topic. (False Creek Florence, just what are you smoking?)

MCC boys paddling in Pickering? Dumb enough to be true considering they tried that last year with GM. Too bad most of them made it out to the park too late and the team missed the A division cut. As Nelson would say, "HA Ha!" So they're going to try it again with RBC/Mojos? Too sad. RBC used to be a good team all on it's own.

Probably all just B.S. and deliberate disinformation anyway (like the Imps folding).

Should be fun to watch though. I think I come along just to see the train-wreck.

The X-pads have been training since early last year to peak for a spot at the WCCC. They threw out last season to train properly for this one. I would watch out for them as they will likely be a very dominant force. Don't put too much stock in their results from last year, they paddled for the training and didn't care about the win.

Disclaimer: Not an X-pad but in the know.

The franchise has fallen the crew is in full rebuild now.

Throw out last year to concentrate on this year? What does this mean?

Did they all fly off to some African high altitude location to train?

Actually, they had a pretty average year last year. If they rise to the occasion this year, it is because they have either brought back some of the paddlers from previous years, or they have found new flatties to round out the squad.

Throwing away last year for this year? get real.

Well this is sure news to me. Clearly a ploy by Attila, Tamas, Larry, Derek, and Orsh and the bunch to steal some of my top rate coaching tricks. LOLOLOL HAHAHAHA oh, my ribs.

Seriously though, if they are paddling with someone at Pickering I can pretty much assure you it isn't the MOFOS lol.

Let the rumor cannon aim somewhere else...

Cheers

PS. Yawn, stretch morning... Ahhh a new year, same old forum ridicularity. You really gotta love this little DB community we all call home lol. At least no one can say it’s dull.

Bzzzzt!

Penalty for over-using LOL in a single post.

Try using the odd smiley for the sake of variety. I prefer the winky one

I just woke up from a 6 month hibernation, I’m a little rusty

Cheers

I have also discovered you have added that really loud, black paddler to your boat who looks like Booker T, but sings a rendition of Kiss from a Rose by Seal. I was highly offended last year when he went up to me and called me a "dumbass penis" and "choda penis" when I tried to congratulate him after a race.

Trash talking paddlers, MCC stacking, TELL ME RICHARD WHEN WILL IT END

"X-Paddling Collective - Word has it that this crew is using this season as a training program for the 2005 Club Crew Championships."

Hmm, I wonder if this is the same source that TOLD THE DRAGON BOAT RANKINGS FORUM OWNER.

So In the Know, when's rhe next forum update

1. Mofos-MCC
2. Scotia-Rouge
3. SCC-GTDBC Seniors
4. Hammerheads-Burloak
5. Mayfair-Armstrong Cheese
6. Tempest-Imps
7. Piranhas-Beach
8. Hydrophobic Dragons-RHCC
9. Wongs-Verdun
10. Can't anyone take a joke

I think I will go back to sleep...

ok demon, just get to know your crew a little better. that wasn't an insult to the poor guy..

I was kidding as well... DUH

Thanks for spoiling ALL MY FUN

hey,i'm just telling THE TRUTH MR CAPS LOCK

Mayfair
Verdun
X-Pads
Hammerheads
GG dragons
Sudbury Canoe Club

I think Pickering is going to be a dog fight between the old school Eastenders in the GG boat and Hanalei which is being coached by Diggs. Neither crew is going to let the other one outa their sight. Look for some good manoveuring at the start line and down the course.

Verdun and Wongs are now both confirmed for Pickering. You may now use them in your predictions.

Based on registration so far, I predict the following:

1. Wongs
2. Mayfair
3. Hammerheads
4. Verdun
5. Sudbury Chiro
6. GG Draggons


And who the heck is "Eat Trout" ?

Strangest name I've seen in a while.

Okay.. I'll take a stab at it...

1 - Mayfair Predators
2 - Verdun
3 - Hammerheads
4 - Wongs

Who's WRCC?

WRCC = West Rouge Canoe Club

If Wongs are coming then I would say:

Wongs
Mayfair
Verdun
Hammerheads

Agree with last post, unless "Eat Trout" is MCC, or a bunch of flatties in disguise.

There are 2 teams that will be coming to the race that are not on the registered teams list yet that will have a big impact on your predictions.

then by all means, otherwise why bother wasting our time with your unfounded rumors of mystery teams that probably don't even exist.

Checked the teams registered for pickering and it looks like the imps are coming.

Ok... maybe having to log into the forum wouldn't be such a bad idea.

the wong's association of ontario imperial dragons have raced in hamilton on a regular basis over the past several years. we will be in pickering looking forward to some fun on the water!

Updated for your pleasure

A Division Championship
1. Wong's DBC Dragonslayers - by half a boat
2. SCC Team Chiropractic - weaker but still ahead of the pack
3. Imperial Dragons - ditto
4. Verdun DBC-Adrenaline - strong debut to the season sees them beat Mayfair
5. Mayfair Predators - sorry but these boys are gearing up for the important races later in the year
6. Hammerheads - mass, bulk and raw power coming at you

A Division Consolation
7. GG Draggons - Ex flatwater, Ex Imps, Ex you name it - they're here
8. Tempest - Rebuilding, but this field ain't that tough beyond the top 7
9. Hanalei - Significantly weaker due to turnover and recruiting problems but see comment above
10. (The) Blades - See above
11. Durham Razorbacks - Always comes out strong at Pickering, bring back Cujo!
12. BOD Squad - Who the hell is the monkey boy

B Division
13. Scotia Spitfires - too many Gators and not enough West Rouge
14. RBC Royal Mojos - This union is gonna take some time
15. UofT UC Water Dragons - Ready to step it up
16. St. Joseph's Health Centre-The Saints - Talented crew continues to build upon previous year's successes
17. Golden Plate Warriors - The shadow of the Dragons of Steel legacy of the late 90's
18. TCBA Jr. Riptide - Seasoned crew always come out with consistent solid performances

B Division Consolation
19. pdb collective - Pickering depth chart of 30 teams is huge and this is not their top-rate crew
20. Hydrophobic Dragons - Building towards a strong Toronto Island peak
21. Mofos - masters of bulk and flexing start off the season with a solid finish
22. St. Robert Clintar Wave Cutters - St. Rob's will be the high school class act of the festival with Mowat not participating
23. BMO Investorline First Dragons - definitely not the Island Champs of yesteryear
24. CIBC - Team Dragon - they're raw but with a great team tradition don't expect them to place lower than B

Sad to see but I have noticed major turnover in the Imp camp and the new people aren't that good. It looks like we are seeing the tail end of a former dynasty

I saw the Imps practicing the other week and despite not having a full boat, and despite lots of new faces (and the absence of some notable old faces) they looked technically very sharp. They are a well-coached team that knows how to paddle. They are also very fit, so don't write them off before you even race them.

That goes for a lot of the other teams as well. Rumours of turnover, rumours of internal strife, rumours of this-and-that......doesn't matter. It's a new year, and no one has beaten anyone yet.

Milton and the GWN 3000 should give us some hints about how teams are doing, and Pickering should be a real eye-opener.

No way SCC is going to perform as you have mentioned. I would put SCC and the IMPS below Mayfair.

you know what i want to know..who actually knows what the chiros look like this year unless they've been making regular trips to sudbury.

or a spy from a local team has been videotaping them and sending it down to the forum mongers in toronto.

its possible, and perhaps i've given someone an idea!

point is, we won't know until pickering and stoufville.

I think a Fish will do great at Pickering, not necessarily a Big One, but a small one, like a Salmon, Pike, Bass or Trout… will make the other teams look like chum.

Interesting to see Hammerheads, Hanalei and Eat Trout in the same heat. Who the hell is Eat Trout? Seeing some really good 2 and 3 boat heats. Question Scotty: Just how random was this draw?

Also aren't alot of the flat water guys over in Europe at the moment training and unlikely to be back in Canada for Pickering? ie. the Budays etc.

Funny that you mention it but the Budays will be back, as will most of the team. I figure we didn't stack it enough last year so we are going to go even further this year. Why not.....since we're not eligible to race at the CCWC qualifier. We'll race at Pickering and beat up on you there instead. By the way, have you met my cousin Andreas Dittmer?

who will win at pickering... hmm a Fish will win I have heard. seems charlie is in the know.

Maks is ready to make everyone EAT TROUT!!!!

Maks has nothing to do with any team in Pickering not GWN or Trout or anybody else.

1. Eat Trout
2. GM
3. Verdun
4. Wongs
5. SCC
6. G&G

You put G and G that High.

You are a complete loser. Have you seen the girth on some of those guys. Top 6? More like top 16 maybe

I think everyone is forgettnig the Xpads or whatever they are called this year - PDBC Collective.

They have been working hard to bring together more crews and they have tried to recruit from others.

They should have something special to race, don't you think!

Anyone have the scoop on these boys and girls?

X should really take it all. The have all the right tools from a great work ethic, to superior coaching, plus it is their home town, and really their show.

Hopefully they won't be too arrogant after they take the Gold

ahhh pickering is only a few days away, i can't wait..can barely sit down in anticipation of the early season classic!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH

No idea who will win but the A final will look very close to this.... it just depends on flight times

G&G
Verdun
Sudbury
Scotia
Mayfair
and pick a team...... maybe imps, x-kids, hana.......

You forgot Wongs !!

Thanks to Gatineau Gino for the template:

A Division Championship
1. Wong's DBC Dragonslayers - Top teams only stay at the top for a few years. Enjoy your last one.
2. PDB.Collective - Splitting X into a men's and women's team and then putting them back together is a great way to train. Especially when you cross train them with Warcanoes.
3. Mayfair Predators - Will fall short of their expectations here.
4. Hammerheads - Almost 0 turnover + their own boat
5. Verdun Adrenaline - Two Quebec teams in the final again
6. GG Dragons - GG Paddlers + Retro paddling party of the old elite

A Division Consolation
7. SCC Sudbury Chiropractic - The year of the aberration is over
8. Imperial Dragons - Not the same as before
9. ScotiaRouge - Too much Scotia. Not enough Rouge.
Hanalei - Turnover but good fillers complementing a very strong core
10. Hanalei - Lots of turnover but strong fillers complementing a strong core.
11. Tempest - Definitely not the same crew as the TIDBRF champs.
12. Blades - Should have gone ahead with the merger.

Best of the Rest:
University College
RBC Royal Mojos

*If Maks' team does show up. Slot them in the top 2.

So I have foreseen, so it will be.....

Now that I have a bead on everyone,

1. Eat Trout (Stan Machacek) - marathoners are awesome!
2. Verdun (Matt Smith) - excellent female contingent and look for them to make some big inroads this year.
3. Imperial Dragons (Scott Ford) - they were patient last year, this will be there year - rookies could be a factor here.
4. Wongs (Matt Robert) - they've been on top a long time, not enough improvements to hold off the heavy recruiters.
5. SCC - great year last year, little room to recruit for the ramp up to the CCWC's, it may hurt them.
6. Scotia - Beach - (Stott) great team, but usually doesn't hit full speed until later in June.

Long Shot - Mayfair (Farintosh), made some important changes for this year, he's sly, he knows when to win and that will be later in the summer.
Wild Card - G&G (Bridger) - depends on which boat shows up, they could be 1st they could be 21st - but count on a great party afterwards - they are definitely the wildest crew!
Missing - XPads (Urbanik) - rebuilt last year, firing on all cylinders, they could be the sleeper this year - strong at all distances.

Eat Trout - Point taken, we shall see what they are made of.
Verdun - Definitely stronger
Imps - I doubt it
Wongs - Heard yah, but they will still be very strong
SCC - Nope, too much turnover
Scotia/Beach - Crap shoot, who knows
Mayfair - Farintosh is definitely sly, always has a training angle for his team.
G & G - Depends
X Pads - Rebuilding; show us your stuff

Scotia is with Rouge this year. Not Beach. Rouge historically isn't as good as Beach so expect a step down.