Now that the GWN 2006 race is set to be at Ontario Place, what are the preliminary predictions for this year? What teams will take it to the top?

"Now that the GWN 2006 race is set to be at Ontario Place, what are the preliminary predictions for this year? What teams will take it to the top?"

I think you mean...

"Now that the GWN 2006 race is set to be at the new Western Beaches Race Course, what are the preliminary predictions for this year? What teams will take it to the top?"

Depends on who is registered.

GWN will take place at Ontario Place again this year. Teams will be setup on the North side of the race course.

Or, you could be wrong.

I predict that lane 1 will take 90% off the semi finals and finals races

From : SHAPIERA
Sent : August 5, 2006 11:25:51 PM


...........


"As you may know, Ontario Place is hosting the Chinese Lantern Festival this year at the same time our event is being held. While it's exciting that you will be able to see the dozens of awesome lanterns, it does create some space issues on the West Island where we normally host our event. Much of the usual green space and open space on the West Island currently holds a lantern or display of some sort on it which limits the free space for your crews to settle on.

We have been able to secure some great space along the North side of the race course for our Team Tents/Athlete's Village and our Marketplace. Although it is a bit further to walk to the marshaling area from this side of the course, the view of the race course from this area is the best in the Park! The tents will be set-up right along-side the race course from the start line to the finish line! You will have a completely unobstructed view of the entire race! We have never had that opportunity in previous years. You will also be close to the array of food and merchandise vendors who will also be set-up on the north side of the course this year. Ditto for the beer tent and the awards stage. Many of you have already booked tents, but if you haven't yet, I highly recommend you do as we only have a few spots left. Team tents provide an excellent meeting place and weather shelter for your crew. We will try and accommodate as many teams as we can, but space is limited. You can use the website registration form to book your team tent should you decide to do so. www.dragon-boat.com.

Please note: Race Headquarters, the Team Marshaling Area, the Docks, the Finish Line, the Announcer's Tent, and the Athletes' Health Care Services (chiropractic, massage, photography, first aid, etc.) will all still be located on the West Island, as in previous years."

BOO to that

Well this just sucks - not only are we still going to have to deal with the crappy lane problems inherent with Ontario Place, but now we have to deal with less team space, more concrete, less tree coverage for teams - and then trying to "spin it" as a positive step. If this was so great why wasn't any of this implemented in the last 7+ years that we have been at Ontario Place?

It is the height of of arrogance and petty politics for GWN not to use a reasonable watercourse just 500m away from Ontario Place and thus subject Dragon boat racers to compete again, in what is arguably the most unfair water course in North America, not to mention the tight land facilities and long walks to the marshalling areas etc.

Come on guys, either get over losing the Welland bid to Toronto or simply get out of town and move all your operation to Welland!

I hope the dragon boat community (the teams) will vote with their feet and think twice on supporting this race if it is held at this location.

I agree.. if there is a reasonable watercourse not a stone's throw away why not use it? Spectators need to pay admission to watch and the lanterns are all over Ontario Place. Not only do they make it hard to maneuver, they're also in danger of being damaged with all the dragonboat equipment and paddlers.

What? I thought they were going to the watercourse? Hard to believe anything posted here anymore. Most teams are already signed up and paid for this year, so very few can walk.

No, it would appear based on the letter sent to the captains of the teams going to GWN that Ontario Place is going to be the venue, not the brand new watercourse.

They probably tried to get the new course, but didn't get a permit from the city?

So the city pitches in several million to build this thing and then denies permits to use it? I don't think so.

They did get the permit from the city to use the new course. A while ago.

They applied but didn't get it. I really wonder who's playing petty politics here.

Boy, talk about petty politics. They did not apply. But by posting on the forum they can make it appear that they were denied so they can justify having the race on the same old course they always do.

"They applied but didn't get it. I really wonder who's playing petty politics here. "
They didn't get it? Who refused it? Oh, don't say "the city", give the names or departments. I bet you won't though because you're full of ****.

IF this is true, GWN has made a rotten decision. Any attempt to spin it as a positive is insulting. They knowingly pushed to fill the event before revealing their plans. Now we all get to spend the weekend hanging around 10 feet from Lakeshore Blvd on a scorching sliver of concrete. Of course it'll be worth it for the experience of racing on that course... oh, wait, no it won't!

Not exactly a banner year for GWN. First they pull the plug on their Toronto practice venue (on short notice) and now they pull a stunt like this. I guess they have no interest in remaining a positive influence on the Toronto scene. How long until they relocate to Tampa?

Many local crews will experience the new course on Friday. After that Ontario Place may not look so good. Could be a great opportunity for another provider to slide in there next year with a late season event. I know where I'd want my team to go.

"After that Ontario Place may not look so good"

Never did. THE most unfair course in Ontario and at perhaps the most competitive of events. If anyone had the guts to run a competing race at the end of the year on the new watercourse, GWN would be royally screwed.

NO, the most unfair course in Ontario IS St. Catharines. NO , ifs ands or buts!

Has a team listing been posted?

1:28 poster: are you talking about the Henley course in St. Catharine's? Are you joking?

I concur with 1:28PM.
You're almost guaranteed a win with the 2 lanes that are closest to the spectators. Something to do with the currents and the locks. I've seen this many times myself. I believe they close the channels for the rowing events but for DB they don't bother.

No, I'm not joking. As the last poster stated, with the locks (damn) open the current on the outside lanes is terrible.

Sorry. I've only ever rowed there and while the current used to be a factor, it's not so much anymore (I think they did a fair bit of work on the course before they hosted the worlds a few years back). But as you pointed out, they had probably closed the dam for the event. Too bad they don't do the same for DB.

It is brutual.
The favourite nevers wins the event.
They get a really nice trophy for the fastest time, and lose in the final.

I suggest you find a way to get the GWN Challenge held at the new course. Paddlers are not going to be happy at Ontario Place when they know there's a much better venue/course just around the corner.

And BS excuses are not going to cut it. If you choose not to use the course (despite the fact it would be much better for paddlers) then we'll start choosing to skip your event. It's that simple.

Swallow your pride and make it happen.

no way to change things this year. next year probably.

Just get all of the teams to agree to paddle it out to the new course once you are marshalled into your boats and simply race there instead. use the Taiwaneese flag method for determining the winner. Stick it to the GWN man!

people... let that other stuff go.

This years 911 regatta will be one of the best, Mayfair, Chiros, Hammerheads, Big Fish, Hanalei, Imps, Piranahas Beach, BMO Montreal, Shogun, Sudbury Canoe, Collingwood probably 1 or 2 more Montreal A crews. Should be a blast - hard to make that A Final. Too bad X-pads, Scotia Rouge, Eat Trout, Dragon Beasts and Seniors aren't coming. Telus, Wongs, Verdun, Hyperactif and 3Rivers all ??? If any of these other crews attend watch out!

1 Mayfair - Too strong for the rest of the field
2 Hanalei - 2 through 6 totally depend on both lane positions & who else
3 Chiros - is registered.
4 Imps
5 Hammerheads
6 Big Fish

7 Piranahas
8 BMO Montreal
9 Shogun
10 Sudbury Canoe
11 Collingwood

Wow. It took 30 posts on this thread to get to the first prediction.

Where did you get that list of teams? Is it posted somewhere, or are you just using a little first hand information and a little hearsay?

Shogun will make the A championship finals!

Predictions for this GWN this year (and next):
1) lane one
2) lane two
3) lane three
4) lane four
5) lane five

great! let's cut up every course in toronto
gwn - 123456
island - middle lanes first then outside lanes last
rock wall course - don't know, can't see that far from the shore

LANE 1 will win every heat

Not exactly.

The Island depends on the year, this year not that bad any lane really. Some years 6 sucks

The new course, aka the rockpile, aka boulder city, fair, deep and only a stones throw from shore (just look at the times)

Hate to tell you, but there is a preference when racing at the Rockpile.

If GWN used the rockpile, then ghost lanes would effect the course.
It would be pushed much further towards the shore, and the effect of the inside
lane would be noticeable.
The CCWC did not have as much adverse effect, as the lanes were the minimum
for an event.

And GWN is bound to use ghost lanes why? Because they require higher standards than the CCWCs? I don't think so.

The new course may not be flawless, but it's way better than Ontario Place. Last year almost every 3rd seeded team won their final because they got lane 1. I can hardly wait for this year's lane lottery.

Are we sure that it's settled? Maybe the organizers will see the light and move the festivities out of an already-flawed venue and into the new race course.

No one wants to say it I don't know why but the new course definately favours the outside lanes. Just look at the comparitive times if team 1 raced inside or outside. The IDBF's tail race system took some of the edge off as did the narrow lanes and there was far less parity in the ccwc teams than will be at GWN simply becasue there's twice as many teams at GWN.

Are you are arguing for Ontario Place? There may be some lane variance at the new course, but nothing like Ontario Place.

Not arguing for either course.
CCWC only worked becuase of the narrow lanes.
Push it out further and add lane 6 - then you'll have issues with the inside two lanes.
GWN has it's own issues - which we are all aware of.

GWN used only 5 lanes last year. Ghost lanes are not necessary.

So what makes everyone the authority on the CCWC course, you're all full of crap, they could easily have put a sixth lane in at 11M, before you go shooting off your mouths maybe someone should check the water depths.

As for a comparison, Ontario Place lanes are how deep??????

CCWC lanes are how deep, folks get the facts or shut up!!!!

New course favours the outside lanes, are you kidding me, do you guys stay awake nights thinking this stuff up.

You want us to listen to your crap lay out some facts on drag, water depths, water displacement based on size and distance.

You have no idea, go ahead and admit it.

But, you must have all the answers then and have checked both courses ?

Did you have an error posting your message the first time and you had to re-write it? Or did you think putting up two messages would give you more legitimacy?

Anyhow, as for the lanes on the new race course, Lane 1 is significantly slower than Lane 5.

How do I know this? I did not measure the lane depth. I didn't take any soundings or whatever, I raced on the course. The effect was obvious. I don't know if it is a depth issue, a weed issue or a current issue but it was just easier to race in Lane 5 vs Lane 1. You could go faster with less effort.

That's all. Not very scientific, I know. But when you paddle for a few years you start develope a feeling for fast water vs slow water, and this is what my senses told me.

Sorry if that's not good enough for you. I hope to see you out on your canoe measuring the course with a knotted rope. Have fun with that.

There is a slight discrepancy in lane depths at the new course, however it is still much more reasonable than the lane bias at Ontario Place

Have to agree with the last statement.
Lane width was approx 9m, which made the course 45m in width for only five lanes.
Move the lanes to 12m and add in lane six and you'd have 72m, which would put two
teams into the weeds (for those of you that have not been on the course, have a look
down when you are in line with the old breakwalls).
Inside lane would then be approx 2.5-275m and outside lane 4.5m +

I saw the weeds just on the outside of lane 1. Any further out than lane 1 is shallow. Do not be nieve if you think 6 lane can fit and not be laney - or for that matter widening any lanes.

If they gave me $1 million from that pool of $23 million they bragged about getting from the various governments, I'd be down there every day all summer with my snorkeling gear hand-cutting and removing the weeds. But then they might not have enough money left over to post the results on the website at all.

23 million was spent on bringing those lovely rocks in from the Grand Canyon

and, what lovely rocks they are too.

If they paid me $23 million, I'd also cuddle with each rock and say nice things to it like I meant it. (Btw, any rich women out there want a boy-toy?)

Hey, for $1million, I'd clean the rocks with a toothbrush, take my kids sand bucket to
remove the silt and take may scissors to the weeds.

^^^ I hope you mean a different million than the one I'm asking for. There should be enough to spread the wealth while still lining the pockets of the important people.

Why the need for 6 lanes? GWN has been 5 lanes the last two years and who says the lanes would have to get wider? The same setup as the club crews would work fine.

I raced on alost every lane in that course this weekend and found little or no difference. Comparing it the lane five sludge at Ontario place is a joke.

Please Mike, move the event. You've got a great organization going. Match the course to the competition.

what a moron. contracts are probably signed months in advance. move over next year would be my recomendation. also 5 lanes is not enough for a world class facility which this has been touted as for the last 2 years and the end result is some extra training space and good for some community events and maybe wakefest if the islanders get pissed off. not sure how but pressure needs to be put on all funding agencies and governments to finish this thing at least to 1000m and some dredging please.

1 Mayfair - Too strong for the rest of the field
2 Hanalei - 2 through 6 totally depend on both lane positions & who else
3 Chiros - is registered.
4 Imps
5 Hammerheads
6 Big Fish

7 Piranahas
8 BMO Montreal
9 Shogun
10 Sudbury Canoe
11 Collingwood

Looks pretty good. If Chiro comes with their fastest they should take Hanalei in fair lanes.

Collingwood is clearly too low. I put them just behind the Piranahas.

CCWC course has 70 Metres from the wall at 3.5 to 4.5 metres of depth, ccwc used 5 lanes at 11 metres not realizing that the inside lanes would actually be dug deeper during July - Programme was set and IDBF stuck with the 5 lanes.

1000 Metre Course not likely, you do the math! No commonwealth games, no course extension.

Is this the best course in Toronto, can't think of a better one from Whitby to Burlington!

Permits, should be easy, city wants it used, so much so that they allow parking right in the Park.

Will GWN or TCBA move there, should but probably won't as both opposed the worlds. Both are about themselves, certainly not the paddlers!!!

If paddlers want it, send the message to the necessary festival hosts and politicians if necessary, they'll listen!

Based on Amanda's Final A predicts:

Mayfair should win this one

Any one of the following could pull off a win if they get a certain lane which I won't mention.

Chiros
Hanalei
Hammerheads
Imps
Big Fish

Unless half the Mayfair crew pull a hamstring, this one is in the bank.

maybe FMG can come take advantage of the course..

Now that is funny

Watch out for a dark horse named Shockwave guys.

I'm betting on the Champions man. Shogun all the way

Rumour is that the Gorging Dragons are looking at GWN or Montreal as an option since the Nationals are cancelled. Be interesting to see how they stack up against Mayfair.

The original intent was for the course to provide 150m of unifrom depth.
This should have meant 6 lanes @ 15m wide with a minimum dpeth of 2.5m.
However, you can bet it was soon realized that without substantial cost of
dredging the inside lanes, which would have meant lanes 1 & 2 if they pursued
the original course design.
So the course proved to be 55m wide in five lanes, with the outside lane being
closer to the rockwall than they had anticipated. This meant the difference between
lane 1 and 5 would be as negligable as possible. A wise decision.

However, this means a couple of interesting issues.
The course does not meet the specifications the City of Toronto requested (lengthening
the course is still a great idea, but does not solvea wider issue, a IDBF "World"
event could not be held here).
Any race/regatta could only be five lanes and 11m wide.
You probably would want a TV screen - as you can't see the boats that well from the shore.

2006CCWC committee did well with what they had to work with.
A good event, that everyone enjoyed.

Anybody know who is going?

Hammerheads
Piranhas
Imps
Big Fish
Mayfair
Hanalei
SCC Chiros
SCC Dragons
Collingwood

Verdun Express
BMO Groupe Financier


And no, I'm not from Montreal. But I would expect both of these teams to do well.

Too bad no Telus.

1. Mayfair - Second best Canadian team at CCWC, first best in Ontario and in this field
2. Hammerheads - Spanking at CCWC gives them valuable experience
3. Hanalei - It's been said before but I'll say it again. A great end of season team but this time around they have been strong in the beginning of the season too.
4. Piranhas - Don't forget how fast this team was at the end of last year. CCAs will be over and their flatties will be back again.
5. SCC Chiros - If these guys get lane 1 again, I will shoot myself (and I am sure Mayfair will as well)

6. Big Fish - Will finally finish ahead of the Imps. Will ignore the fact that they had Lane 1 in their final to do it.
7. Imps - Will just be edged out of the final and be the top seed for the A-consolation in lane 3.
8. West Rouge Jrs. - Yup they're here. Yup they're fast.
9. Collingwood - No surprise anymore
10. BMO Group Financier - Lonely Quebec entrant in the top 10.

Best of the Rest:
SCC Dragons
Verdun Express
Mofos
Shogun
Chaos
Mojos Reloaded
Hydrophobic

I don't think its the West Rouge "Junior" Team although it will have some in the boat.Perhaps it will look more like the crew that went to the Island?

1. Mayfair- Is their's to lose
2. SCC Team Chiro - I tried to count these guys out earlier in the year - mistake!!
3. Hanalei - where have you guys been this year??
4. Hammerheads - Unless it rains, then they may pack up and leave.
5. Imps - toss up with Big Fish - edge goes to the imps

A cons

6. Big Fish - zzzz you guys are good, but you just haven't done anything of note in the past 4 years.
7. SCC Dragons - a team on the rise
8. Collingwood Side launchers - has had a strong season
9. WRCC A - ? sure why not
10. Hydrophobic- have been consistantly good all year.

B Final

11. Jetstart - have been conistantly good all year
12. Mofos- trying to keep a low profile this year
13. Shogun - have to be considered a bit of a disappointment this year. If they have some more guest paddlers at GWN then they will vault into A cons.
14. Verdun Express - Vive le Quebec, Vive le Quebec libre -
15. Chaos - Strong showing at CCWC's will round out the B final

B Cons

16 Shockwave 1 - a wildcard
17 Mojos -
18 Rip it up
19 FSN
20 Blades

FSN had riptide paddlers on for CCWC, don't expect them to rank so high.

I think there is more than 116 teams actually registered with GWN

no one has talked about this yet, but having the teams on the north side (if indeed this is the case) means that the public will have way easier access to the team's area. At least the bridge could provide some filter to the outside world.

Think about it... leave your tent to return = walk over bridge, marshall, race, walk back. Figure for a good 45-50 minutes for someone to rifle thru all your stuff. If the Dragon Boat World tent can be stolen from the CCWC site...

The gypsy is right. I have a feeling a lot of stuff is gonna get taxed. Hell if I were a theif and knew about it, I would raid the place

**** for the ****pile.

If we're setting up on the north shore then we're outside Ontario Place on part of the Martin Goodman Trail. Isn't that a City trail? I happen to know of a newly refurbished section of trail about 1500m west. I wonder how GWN managed to get a permit for one but not the other?

What went missing from Dragon Boat World?

Spares/Managers may have to hang back, take turns watching the races. Keep a team bag with wallets and keys.

It looked like the security people left their posts early on Sunday. We raced close to the end of the day and got back to our tent to find some kids (little sh*ts) hanging out with our stuff. Imagine our surprise.

Another thing about the north side. Isn't the big Breast Cancer Walk that same weekend, I seem to remember going up to the start line and seeing one heck of a lot of people walking along that trail

You're right it is. I have a friend participating in it.

Why no Piranhas? Out of the top 20? I don't think that is likely unless its another Piranhas

are the registered?? Didn't see them on the list of 116 teams.

"are the registered?? Didn't see them on the list of 116 teams."

Sorry I meant are you registered. If you are then yes Piranhas would bump the imps out of the A final.

Don't forget Gorging Dragons may show up since the N.Americans were cancelled .

I predict that there will be huge amounts of whining on the forum, regardless of who wins. Lots of whining. Lots.

We didn't post the previous message but we will be attending the event as Trafalgar/Parklane Piranhas-Beach

We are proudly representing our dual sponsors:

The Trafalgar Group - a Bermuda based international financial company that provides discrete offshore wealth management services to its private clients.
http://www.trafalgar.bm/

and

Parklane Financial's Donations for Canada Program - A program designed to assist charities in raising much needed funding and, at the same time, provide significant tax advantages to Donors.
http://www.parklanefinancialgroup.com/

Gorging Dragons are going to Montreal for the Quebec Cup.

Conditions are prime for MOFOS to win GWN...

Nice Plug Piranhas

That's got to be one of the worst team names EVER!

Mofos?

I think they were refering to the Dorval/Boardwalk Barracuda-Harbourfront team.

I get confused which team is it that everyone is always bitching about Mofo's or Mojo's? Or are they the same team and it is mis-typed.

The Mojos are the team with the guys wearing their uniforms. The Mofos are the team not wearing any. This years Mojo Reloaded team was RBC Mojos last year and Thrusting Mojos in a previous era. Mofos have always been Mofos..the team with the hot asian gals.

so which one is da one you all is bitchin at all da time?

Read some of "da" other threads and find out.

Readin aint ma ting. dog

Every second thread used to be hating on the Mofos but now the haters have moved on to Shockwave. Around here you need to earn your hate and the Mofos have been resting on their laurels for too long without doing anything. The torch has been passed. Shockwave is the new darling of the forum.

Hate hate hate hate hate hate hate.

So, what has Shockwave done lately to earn this hate?

And more importantly, will they be up for any awards at the 2006 Player Hater Ball?

One of the reasons is because Shockwave has improved so much this year and other teams are jealous that we're ranked higher than them. Get over it. We proved it on the water.

Ok, enough of the baiting (you're obviously not from Shockwave). Back to the predictions.

For my predictions, there's about 7 top teams. So the 2 crews that don't make A, should should fight it out for the A consolation. As for who will place where, that can't be determined until you see lane placements

A final

1. Mayfair
2-4 Chiros Hanalei Hammerheads (depends on lane placement)
5 Big Fish

A cons

6 Imps
7 Piranhas
8-10 SCC Dragons, Collingwood Side launchers, Hydrophobic (depends on lane placement)

GWN has a lot of specialty races like the high tech cup. I think they should have the network54 haters cup. Riptide, Shockwave, and Mofos are strong contenders this year.

BYEA!

PDBC B must be a part of this.

You entice them to race by offering prize money and promising a field of relative beginners.

If necessary additional enticement could be the Lantern Festival. Fertile ground for the "winning" of candy from babies. With a team-based swarming approach PDBC B would have those babies wondering what hit them, not to mention "where the **** did my cotton candy go?"

MOFO;S are Real athletes who revel in tawdry shirtless antics and feats of miraculous strength. What's not to love? <3

I predict A division all the way

I'd like to insert any breast cancer team as well. They're too happy and jolly.

That Shockwave will take the 2006 Network54 Haters Cup.

They're the biggest collection of pimps, ho's, players, johns, tricks, marks, mark-ass tricks, trick-ass marks, skeezers, skanks, skig-scags, and scallywhops.

Hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate.

I'd give the edge to Riptide, we've been getting a lot of rain lately. Shockwave is a close 2nd with their inflated True Ranking. Mofos have been really quiet this year.

The Mofos are really going to need to step it up at GWN if they want to win the 2006 Haters Ball. They've got to be disappointed with all the hate slipping by them gathered up by Riptide, Shockwave, PDBC and other strong up and coming haters and hatees.

I believe the Mofo's have been dropping in the hate rankings lately due to a lack of active participation in regional regattas. Hopefully, their flexing at award ceremonies will reinvigorate new hatred. Word on the street is that Hydrophobic Dragons have stolen some thunder from the Mofo's to an "almost" DQ from CCWC's due to not wearing shirts in the boat.

So... what you're telling me is that the Mofos are now a refined and classy, clothed lot now? LOL

The MOFOs are still unclothed, but their hate quotient has been eclipsed by other up-and-coming teams with more hate potential, such as Shockwave.

Thank god. I was getting distressed that they may end up showing up in a full uniform.

A Finals
--------

1) Mayfair
2) Hanalei
3) Sudbury Chiros
4) Big Fish
5) Hammerheads

A Consolation
-------------

6) Imperial Dragons
7) Collingwood
8) Piranhas
9) Mofos
10) Shogun

A-Final
1 OHDBC - Mayfair Predators
2 SCC Team Chiropractic
3 Hanalei
4 Transamerica Life Big Fish
5 OHDBC - Hammerheads

A-Consolation
6 Collingwood Sidelaunchers
7 Imperial Dragons
8 WRCC A
9 Trafalgar Associates/Parklane Financial Piranhas
10 BMO Groupe Financier

B-Final
11 Sudbury Canoe Club Dragons
12 Mofos
13 Hyrdrophobic Dragons
14 Shogun Warriors
15 Air Canada/ITW Jetstart

B-Consolation
16 Marathon Dynamics Tailgators
17 Mojos Reloaded
18 Riptide powered by Bell
19 Verdun DBC Express
20 Wave Cutters

I must say, the last poster has some good predictions. well done!

Why would you rank the Hammerheads ahead of the Imps when the Imps have beaten them twice in a row, and finished ahead of them in the heats in Pickering?

That's right, because you're from OHDBC.

which, of course, makes EVERYONE wonder what team YOU'RE from. eVerything's so obvious, ain't it

Well actually, you were right. But still. I'm right too.

Lane - Place
1 ------ 1
2 ------ 3
3 ------ 2
4 ------ 4
5 ------ 5

"Why would you rank the Hammerheads ahead of the Imps when the Imps have beaten them twice in a row, and finished ahead of them in the heats in Pickering?

That's right, because you're from OHDBC."


haha what a JASON post

"That's right, because you're from OHDBC."

If this really came from a current Imp, I just want to say the old Imps would have never made comments like that. They raced their race and did it with class. That was one of the reasons why they were so popular a few years ago.

While I do agree about which crews will be in the A final, I think Hanalei will win it over Mayfair.

B-Consolation
16 Marathon Dynamics Tailgators
17 Mojos Reloaded
18 Riptide powered by Bell
19 Verdun DBC Express
20 Wave Cutters

I think you have the wrong tailgators listed. Marathon Dynamics is not the Tailgator team listed in the True Rankings. Those tailgators were a mixed crew of Jetstart, Mojo, Chaos and Blades paddlers.

I would replace switch marathon Dynamics with Chaos and your predictions are pretty good.

I think you guys forgot about Shockwave.

Until the full list of teams comes out - whenever the schedule is set.
Then you can't make predictions

Who are the University Elite Force?

Why do people keep on bringing up Shockwave? Based on their results, they've shown that there's absolutely no way for them to make it into B division. My prediction, is C-final for them.

A combination of paddlers from various ontario university teams. Depending on how many are from UC/New, they could make B final.

Mofo's haven't made any splash this year at any festivals. I predict B division at best.

Hey there,

It's been a while!

Now even if that was me to begin with, you'd have to give me credit for being right. Anonymous is informed, give him ($10 says it's not a girl) some credit.

And FYI, by "The Old Imps", do you mean Big Fish?

SNAP!

And as a final note, it's flattering I'm still being bashed months since I've been on this forum.

Go dragonboat!

Don't be flattered - no one cares about you.

"Go dragonboat!"

So you fancy yourself a sprint paddler now eh? Why, as a former "proud" dragon boat paddler, do you decide to adopt the "holier than thou" attitude that some sprint paddlers have? Why have you decided to make the situation worse instead of making it better?

Being able to afford to go to nationals doesn't mean you're a sprint paddler.

well yeah, he's a sprint paddler now... he won the master's C1 at CanMas last weekend, among tough competition of 4 other paddlers, making him even bigger expert than he already was.

He was there and he competed. He can't control who can attend and who can't. He can only control his attendance and his performance. For that I applaud him and his success.

"And as a final note, it's flattering I'm still being bashed months since I've been on this forum.

Go dragonboat!"


It's not dragonboat, its you. I wouldn’t be flattered

I predict Jason will win!!!

Go Jason win win win cough win!!!

And those other three guys you beat - they are just jelous. Win

Go Jason

I'm not from OHDBC, I just took a guess at what I think the outcome will be. You are certainly welcome to prove me wrong. It would be quite the guess to have all 20 teams correct.

Congrats on surfing one of my results from over the week. FYI - some races you actually have to qualify for, so I didn't just pay to go to Regina.

As for the interpretation of my words, if that's you're interpreting from my comment "go dragonboat" then fine. Read my article "Class of Water" in the fall 2005 issue of DBW if you want to know what my true perspective of DB is like.

I'll surf back onto the forum when I want another good laugh!

There's what you right and how you act. Don't be an idiot Jason, some of us who criticize you also hear you talk.

"""Congrats on surfing one of my results from over the week. FYI - some races you actually have to qualify for, so I didn't just pay to go to Regina."""

Which races did you qualify for????

"There's what you right and how you act. Don't be an idiot Jason, some of us who criticize you also hear you talk."

At least the guy makes himself accountable for what he writes. As opposed to you trolls out here who bash him and others anonymously. Shameful.

Okay now we can work out the placings.
Schedule is up

Here is the comprehensive list of (probably) the top thirty teams.
I think GWN is fairly deep this year - only missing SRS and Scotia Rouge.

Wavecutters
Mofos
CN Aquatrain
RBC Royal Bank Lions
Air Canada JetStart
Verax Komodo Dragons
University Elite
Imperial Dragons
Big Fish
Riptide
Bytown Paddlers
Piranhas - Beach
Mojos Reloaded
OHDBC Mayfair Predators
St. Joseph's Saints
Shogun Warriors
The Blades
Team Chaos
RBC Royal Dragons
Hanalie
Hammerheads
Verdun Express
SCC Team Chiropractic
WRCC A
Collingwood Sidelaunchers
BMO Groupe Financier
Sudbury Canoe Club
Hydrophobic Dragons
Team Dragon CIBC
Adreniline MDBCSC

Now pick them out of that !!

I don't know this Jason dude but if he was good enough to paddle down the course in a C1 he's better than most of you losers. I noticed he can also spell. Who is the idiot who wrote, in response to Jason's post, "right" when he/she should have used "write"?

CN Aquatrain? Are you serious?

must be one of their crew members

2 RBC teams? I wouldn't even put one team in there.

Adreniline MDBCSC

Is this the Verdun A team under a different name?

Another crowd pleasing Mofo pushup contest

Adreniline MDBCSC is team number 111 on the true rankings.

I predict the Mofos will lose the pushup contest. A surprise guest will outdo even Shantastic.

1. Mayfair (if they have the top lane from Day 1)
2. Hanalie
3. SCC Chiropractic
4. Imperial Dragons
5. Hammerheads

Big Fish
Verdun

Verdun?

This is Express not Adrenaline.

Your a final looks good.

After Mayfair it could be a dogfight for second place.

1. Mayfair (if they have the top lane from Day 1)
2. Hanalie
3. SCC Chiropractic
4. Imperial Dragons
5. Hammerheads

A consolation

6. Ok big fish
7. little fish (piranahs)
8. SCC
9. Hydrophobic
10. Collingwood

Almost everyone predicts SCC ahead of Collingwood. Both are good teams but I think you guys have the order backwards.

Predicting the top ten is all dependent on lane assignment after
the first day. As long as you are in the top six teams, you have a chance.
Preferably top four, because then you draw lane 1 & 2. After that
its a lottery.

no one has mentioned about Bytown. They are listed as racing.

depends which Bytown turn up.

"Almost everyone predicts SCC ahead of Collingwood. Both are good teams but I think you guys have the order backwards."

Nope this weekend SCC will finish ahead of Collingwood. Still, they are both great crews.

"Predicting the top ten is all dependent on lane assignment after
the first day. As long as you are in the top six teams, you have a chance.
Preferably top four, because then you draw lane 1 & 2. After that
its a lottery"

With the new format predicting is much easier (ok maybe not easier, but much more straight forward), and it will certainly make Saturday's racing a lot more interesting.

The top two teams based on the combo of the two Saturday results will get lane 1 on Sunday. Seeds 3 and 4 will get lane 2, 5 and 6 will get lane 3, 7 and 8 will get 4, and 9 and 10 will get lane 5.

Considering MOST seeded teams will have one race in 2 and one race in 4 on Saturday, really, the best teams should earn the best positioning for the semi's and final's respectively.

Therefore whomever has lane 1 for the final will MOST likely be the top seed from Saturday and will have earned the favourable lane. Does this make it fair NO as one team will always have a big advantage and one team will be at an even LARGER disadvantage, but it does make it as fair as possible considering the conditions.

I feel sorry for the 9th and 10th ranked teams (and the 19th and 20th and the 29th and 30th and the 39th and 40th etc etc etc) as they most likely will have to fight with lane 5 all day on sunday.

Collingwood are solid, no question, but at many events this year they've had the benefit of at least a couple of quality helpers who probably won't be with them at GWN.

Insider knowledge on collingwood ?

Yes, it's true, it's true... not all of the Collingwood paddlers are from Collingwood. Some of them are from... from... Nottawa...

Most of the competitive teams have lanes 2 & 4 in Saturday's races. A few teams have 1 & 5 (WRCC A) or 3 & 3 (Shockwave, Riptide, Hydrophobic, Collingwood). I wonder what is better 1&5, 2&4, or 3&3?

Anything to avoid lane 5 is good. While having the express lane for one race is good, i think the difference between lane one and lane two is not as great as the difference between 4 and 5.

I say it is a toss up between 3 & 3 and 2 & 4. IMHO*

* In my humble opinion is a rare sentiment on this forum. IMHO.

And all this time I thought it was "In my honest opinion"

Show how much I know, or don't.

Any more last minute predictions before GWN?

I predict rain.

why you so dumb?

it's a gift.

What were the results like for the heats? Are the predictions dead on?

Of course, RBC, Bytown and CN Aquatrain surged to the top, Shogun proved that they are among the best, Shockwave and Mofos sucked as predicted.

if shogun is so good then how come the mofos, and shockwave finished higher than them in the qualifying heats tard?

i think the proper term is that shogun got demolished by they mofos

there were some suprises ... wasn't expecting RBC to have a showing after losing so many to pdbc this season.

CN -- was strong, wasn't much doubt there.
some fast times at 2:07-2:10 ...

Only Mayfair and SCC performed as predicted. Collingwood and BMO really stepped it up. It will be interesting to see how the results stack up tomorrow with the new heat system.

Give me som results! Top 10 at least

Off the top of my head, the top 10 are the following teams (not in the right order)

Mayfair
Piranhas
SCC chiros
Collingwood
BMO
Mofos
Hammerheads
WRCC A
Imps
Big Fish

Hanalie got screwed over a timing malfunction and had a really bad 1st race and was bumped into B division

"Re: GWN 2006 - Predictions September 9 2006, 6:26 PM

Of course, RBC, Bytown and CN Aquatrain surged to the top, Shogun proved that they are among the best, Shockwave and Mofos sucked as predicted. "

i would like to ask the person who posted the thread above...DO YOU SEE SHOGUN,RBC, BYTOWN AND CN AQUATRAIN ANYWHERE...but i do see the MOFOS...

Uh, how the hell did the Mofos get into the A semi-final? Did I miss something? Have they become a competitive team or something?

1. OHDBC Mayfair Predators
2. BMO Groupe Financier
3. Trafalgar Associates/Parklane Financial Piranhas - Beach
4. SCC Team Chiropractic
5. Collingwood Sidelaunchers
6. Mofos
7. Transamerica Life Big Fish
8. Imperial Dragons
9. OHDBC Hammerheads
10. WRCC A
11. Hanalei
12. Paddle Demons
13. Shockwave DBC 1
14. Hydrophobic Dragons
15. HaiVision Jade Dragons
16. Champions Off-Track Wagering – Shogun Warriors
17. Team Chaos
18. University Elite
19. RBC Royal Dragons
20. Bytown Paddlers
21. Sudbury Canoe Club Dragons
22. Riptide Powered by Bell
23. St. Joseph's Saints
24. Air Canada Jetstart
25. Scotia Spitfires
26. Verax Komodo Dragons
27. Mojos Reloaded
28. National Bank Cyclones
29. The Blades
30. Team Dragon CIBC

http://www.dragon-boat.com/sunday-schedule-2006.html

Paddle Demons, Chaos and RBC were also in Hanalei's restarted heat. Hanalei wasn't running away with the aborted heat and didn't win the restarted one heat by much of a margin.

Could it be possible they wound up where they belong?

Any comments on Shockwave's performance?

"Re: GWN 2006 - Predictions September 9 2006, 6:26 PM

Of course, RBC, Bytown and CN Aquatrain surged to the top, Shogun proved that they are among the best, Shockwave and Mofos sucked as predicted. "

Sarcasm? It's the only way to explain this sentence.

I heard that Shockwave recruited some Scotia paddlers after being rediculed from this forum

Are the saturday results/times up?

Scotia....Beach? Or Spitfires?

Great racing on Day 1! Somethings happened just as expected while there were some surprises along the way.

Teams that brought "it":
Mayfair: #1 in a big way. It really isn't close at all with these guys
BMO Groupe Financier: Call me crazy but these guys weren't THIS fast before. What gives?
Piranhas-Beach: Looks like their flatwater cross-training is finally kicking into gear
Mofos: Probably the biggest surprise here. I'm not even sure THEY believe it

Teams that didn't need "it":
SCC Chiros: Right where many expected them to be
Collingwood: A slight surprise for some

Teams that left "it" at home:
Hanalei: What the hell?!?!? When people were picking Hanalei to finish in the top 3, I'm sure they didn't mean B-Division
Hammerheads: Went SLOWER in lane 2 versuse lane 4?
Big Fish: Look at who's in that boat and you should start to wonder why they weren't higher
Imperial: The gradual fade continues

Teams that are learning what "it" is
Paddle Demons
Shockwave DBC 1
14. Hydrophobic Dragons
HaiVision Jade Dragons

Kind of cool to watch the big windmill move with the wind. Huge tail wind from 8:30 Am and then it gradually swung north so some times are a bit off but hey that's the weather. unless you raced very late in the opening round you got the benefit of the tail wind and that's why some times in 4 are better than times in 2.

There were no good crews racing at 8:30... the wind swung by 9:15 and then died out for much of the morning.

Watchout because the Shockwave is coming to getcha!

Finals coming up very soon.

Here is what they look like

A final
1. Mayfair
2. Chiros
3. BMO MTL
4. Piranhas
5. Imps

A cons
1. Big Fish
2. Collingwood
3. Mofos
4. Hammerheads
5. WRCC

Semis looked fast. Chiros stole the win from BMO in a very close first semi while Mayfair and the Piranhas blew away the field in the other semi.

Yeah I was there??!!?? 12:43

Imperial gradual fade??? They finished second at the Island and fouth at GWN. I dont know what they did in other races but that strikes me as not bad.

quote: BMO Groupe Financier: Call me crazy but these guys weren't THIS fast before. What gives?




of course there where fast the engine room was powered by TELUS..(2)

BMO definitely had some stand-ins. I recognized a few paddlers.

You guys kill me.

Any time a team travels to a competition there will be paddlers who cannot make the trip. In our case, 3 guys (one from the Montreal Men's elite team) and 1 girl could not make it.

We reached out to the other MTL teams and brought 2 guys from Telus, 1 guy from Zoku and we alternated between 3 MTL women paddling for the Outer Harbour Senior Women's boat to replace our missing woman.

Do you actually think 3 guys (none of whom are premier / flatwater paddlers) and one girl can make that much of a difference? There were still 16 original BMO paddlers in the boat. most with 3+ yeras of Dragon Boat experience.

Some other poster mentioned that we didn't do so badly at the Montreal Festival - winning the B-Final in the worst lane?!? - does that not coutn for anything?

We're always just on the outside of the A-Final looking in and when we finally have some good races after having stepped up our training - people have to talk ****.

Either way, we know we worked hard and we now have a bronze medal from GWN around our necks.

Face it man, you were very LUCKY this weekend at GWN.

If you say so - however, I think the other strong teams in the a-Final and Consoaltion A-Final would say different.

I think they would say that skill and strength gets a team to the A-final (all of our races went well - 2nd overall after Satruday's races and 3rd overall going into Sunday's final).

Call it luck - we call it cool!!!

BMO, not everyone thinks it was luck. Congratulations from the real dragonboat community who appreciated you making the trip over here and giving us a great race.

Neither here nor there but BMO MTL was not 3rd overall going into the final. They were second in their heat with automatic advancement into lane 3. The Piranhas had a faster time in their semi but were preset to go to lane 4. So technically, BMO was 4th going into the final but with a better lane by virtue of finishing 2nd in the prelims. Congrats on a great showing!

Telus > BMO

Good work BMO. Would love to see you come again!

with all this lane bias talk...how do you guys think the outcome would have been had shockwave dbc had lane 1 and hanalei had lane 2 in the B Semis race? with shockwave dbc coming just behind hanalei...

I'm not sure when 2 seconds has ever been considered "just behind".

True, but that's not a fair comparison. Hanalei is a team that regularly ends up in A that got bumped in a deep field to B, whereas the Shockwave team is more of C/D team that got lucky and ended up in B. If the two teams are comparable then lane bias will play a huge factor (see A final)

Meh,

Maybe Shockwave having lane 1 in the finals and beating out Shogun and Hydro for third, but Hanalei still battling it out with the Demons for first.