The schedule is up. Here are the players.


Masters

Toronto Master
Toronto Grand Masters

Women

OHDBC Senior Women A
OHDBC Senior Women B
OHDBC Premier Women
Women in Canoe

Premier Mixed

OHDBC Hammerheads
OHDBC Mayfair Predators
Mofos
Piranhas Beach
Mojos Reloaded

A two hour drive both ways, 2 days off work, just so the national teams have someone to beat, sorry - that doesn't even include the entry fee!!!!!

National Teams?? None of those teams are National Teams.

2 Days?? It's a one day regatta. Drive up in the morning and back when it's done.

2 Days off work?? If you work on the weekends how are you able to go to any regattas??

Entry fee is only about $650. Cheaper than lots and the course is great.

Nevermind, go to the Island instead. That regatta isn't at all set up to allow the National team to win airline tickets, and it's not 2 days or $2500.

Idiot.

Got to be honest, we find Ottawa more attractive.

How many teams attended this race last year?

When you say about $650, what does about mean?

I am baffled by the lack of participation in regatta's held in this area.

Welland is clearly the best racing course we have in Ontario, and the community seems to be interested in backing more racing (I think they have improved the course again this year), yet more people are willing to drive to Montreal, Ottawa or Sudbury for that matter.

You can view racing from both sides of the course, lots of treed shelter, I could go on. I know Welland is not the most exciting community, but that would improve quickly if more crews would come out. A bit of a chicken/egg dilemma, I guess, if people are not going because it isn't in the middle of a big urban center.

Funny - everyone bitches about wash riding, lane depth, etc, etc, etc, yet they are offered a chance to race in conditions where these elements are eliminated, and turnout is poor! If you want to support improved race courses, etc, then put your money where your mouth is and participate in the events with the best conditions and avoid the courses which are poor and expensive.

What am I missing here? I need help.

Comments?

We were led to believe that the Ottawa course was just as good as the Welland Course, even better because you're right in the city.

It's sad to see so few teams

Agreed.

For all the talk of fair racing. It is shocking to see how many crews want to race when excuses cannot be made.

Here's the race schedule: http://www.wellanddragonboatfestival.com/Welland%20Final%20Schedule.pdf

I think that the problem with this event and some of the other alleged "sport" regattas is that the majority of the teams are scared away. Most teams aren't elite and therefore have no interest in being intimidated by hot shots.

I am not against these high level races but organizers should realize that only a handful of teams fit into the elite category. Instead of spending so much time trying to recruit 30% of the teams, find out what would be of interest to the other 70% of teams.Make those teams feel welcome and from there will evolve a stronger festival.

6:05 you are bang on. I also thought that perhaps the timing isn't so great with so many other Festivals to compete with at this time of year.

Not very thoughtfull of the organizors to schedule the Toronto teams (Sport Division) first races at 8:00 am, while the mostly local teams (festival division) start at 9 am. Local guy needs to get out of bed at 8:00 am. GTA guy needs to get out of bed at 5:00 am or earlier.

Maybe people don't like to drive out to Welland for a second rate lightly attended festival? Maybe that is the same reason why holding the Club Crews there didn't make any sense (IE. Nothing around there?) Maybe with so many teams doing Pickering and then the Island/Ottawa next weekend another race squeezed into the middle just doesn't make sense?

Scared away is laughable. Most teams go looking for competition and it isn't at Welland now is it? It could be, but it's not so I can't see anyone there scaring people away.

Now if they have those Canadian Club Crews in September there (when is that supposed to be again anyway?) then I bet you will see lots of teams. Assuming of course they start promoting it that is.

I attribute the lack of attendance on location and timing pure and simple.

Spot on.

I suspect with good advertising, this regatta will be better attended next year.

I've had the opportunity to race there and the venue is great. Clean, site, friendly organizers who know what they're doing, local support and incredibly fair lanes. Now that more elite crews are coming out, depending on feedback from this upcoming race, our team may get into the mix at Welland next year.

"It's worth the drive.... to Welland"

looks like Parry Sound has more elite crews than Welland.
Remove the OHDBC crews which are basically GWN crews and there really is not much left.

For the record...Outer Harbour Dragon Boat Club is a separate non-profit cooperative of four boat owners and is not tied to GWN in any way. Some of the crews at our club site support GWN events, some don't...same as any other club.

Thanks Jim

You're welcome...come down and see our site if you haven't been there this year.
We have about 15 member crews at this time, maybe an event next year.
Jim