With thanks and apologies to our West Coast community for not getting this up here sooner:
http://www.gunghaggisfatchoy.com/blog/_archives/2007/4/10/2870913.html
The website is a little tough on the eyes, but the story is an interesting read.
Some highlights...
The typical international screw-job:
"Although we had already been registered for quite a while, we reconcieved word that this competition is only for Australian teams not international teams, before we left. Letters flew back and forth and the officials changed their minds and let us come....however we would be a demonstration team only...no medal round races."
The change of heart:
"In our first races, our Women's Masters team paddled well but came in last against very tough competition. Then something completely changed ....the Australians came over to greet us and to meet us. It turned out that they thought we were a hot shot competitive Canadian team coming to trounce them at their own Nationals. Once they found out that that wasn't the case they all wanted to be our friends and to trade team jerseys with us. They couldn't do enough for us."
The sweet that follows the sour:
(this bit is taken from the Dragon Boat West forum report)
"After the races there was an awards ceremony and we were the first to get medals, We got Australian National championship - participant - medals that I think had just been minted for us.
That evening there was a paddlers party and some of our paddlers stayed until closed."