Hello to all of you Dragon Boaters. Mountain Equipment Co-op in Toronto wants to send you an invitation to share with us all the fun in our annual Paddlefest at Sunnyside Beach in Toronto on the September 15th, 2007. This will be the first time we will incorporate the Dragon Boat Community to our classics canoeists and kayakers. The Paddlefest is hosted by MEC in partnership with the City of Toronto, and it is an urban celebration of canoeing, kayaking, and dragon boating. The day will feature learning opportunities on water and on land. Paddlers of all skill levels are welcome.
We are looking currently teams who are willing to show others paddlers what Dragon Boat is about and at the same time, you get exposure for your team in the paddle community and if you have instruction experience and would like to give some sessions, you are welcome.
You can visit our web page for more information: www.mec.ca/paddlefest
or contact Jorge Nanez at [email protected], 416-340-2667

That's the same weekend as GWN. Most teams will already be down at the lake, racing at the new race course (across from the Argonaut Club)

Dude, are you on the lunar calendar or something?! GWN is September 8th and 9th. Or do you know something we don't?

GWN is the week before, Sept 8-9.

I think we should appreciate MEC calling out to the Dragon Boat community to get invovled in this.

"That's the same weekend as GWN. Most teams will already be down at the lake, racing at the new race course (across from the Argonaut Club)"

GWN is sept 8th- 9th.

Cool. Nice to see that DB is getting more recognition and exposure. Is there a cost for being in this event?

September 15 is the same day as Stratford Dragonboat Festival although I believe it is full(64 teams).

same day as the mazda knockout challenge just a few kms away.

Hi to everyone. We would like to give clarify some information about the MEC Paddlefest to about the concerns written in here.
First, the Mountain Equipment Co-op Paddlefest is on September the 15 at Sunnyside Beach on Lakeshore. As we understand, GWN is organizing an activity the previous week Sept 8 and 9 only for Dragon Boats. The MEC Paddlefest is an event for paddlers in general –Canoes, Kayaks- and this year for the first time we are including Dragon Boating. Perhaps some of you think that this will be a race event, which is not. What we want is just the participation, exposure and share the knowledge of the Dragon Boat community with the rest of the paddlers. Perhaps a little demonstration of how to paddle, or just simple telling the visitors some of your stories or experiences or just expose the activities of your team. In general what we have is session on land and on water with high class instructors like Bill Mason (the Father of the Modern Canadian Canoing) and other from south the border as well as boats vendor from North America's leading manufacturers. This is why we want to invite you and integrate to this event of paddles.
Second, there is no fee for you for setting up a 5’ by 5’ space at the event. We want you to be able to promote your programs and services and get more people into paddlesports. If you want more space than 5’ by 5’ you will need to consider a $100 cost.
Third, we would like to have with us someone to represent the Dragon Boat community and be the speaker in the festival.
We know you are a very busy community and races are all over the place, but if you have time and want to meet some new paddlers, you are all welcome on the Sept 15 at Sunnyside Beach.
Jorge

So we can be there to help promote MEC paddling gear.
Like we care.

"In general what we have is session on land and on water with high class instructors like Bill Mason (the Father of the Modern Canadian Canoing) and other from south the border as well as boats vendor from North America's leading manufacturers."

I would incourage everyone interested in paddling to check this event out. Jorge would be an incredible man to have Bill Mason attend this event. Saddly, Bill Mason passed away more than 10 years ago. Maybe you meant that his daughter or son would be on hand to tell everyone about the many things their father did to educate as many people about the beauty of our Canadian wilderness, our environment and increase our paddling skills both in flatwater and in rapids. He just loved to mess around in boats and shared his passion with many Canadians. Both his children are marvelous instructors and it would be a thrill for most of us to learn from such accomplished paddlers.

You are right Clearwater, Paul Mason past away some years ago. My apologies, what I tried to say was:" Bill Mason, son of Paul....". One last minute info in case you are admirer of the Mason's; Becky will be presenting a slide show at MEC on Friday 14 at 09:30 pm at Mountain Equipment Co-op. Once again, my apologies for the error. Jorge

Bill Mason = Father (deceased)
Paul Mason = Son

Jorge - have you arranged for boats or is it a land only seesion?

Re: "So we can be there to help promote MEC paddling gear.
Like we care."

Piss off! MEC sells great in-store stuff and a lot of equipment that has been very useful for me and my team when dragonboating. If you don't want to participate just do so. You don't have to deter others away. As well, MEC is just one of the sponsors/organizers, I doubt this event is an MEC promotional one.

Hi,
And thanks for your interest in Paddlefest. Yes, we will have dragon boats for session on water, as well as session on land. Alex Yang from Ryerson will run a session on Introduction to Dragon Boats. We hope to see you around.
Jorge

September 15th all day. -Registration starts at 09:00 am
Classes run from 10-6:30

"Everybody welcome social" Dinner, drinks, and the Reel Paddling Film Festival highlights from 7:00 pm onwards.

Sunnyside Park (map available at mec.ca/paddlefest)

Pre-registration starts September 5th - 13th. Must be done in person at the Membership Desk in the store. Pre-registration is strongly recommended as we expect many of the session to sell out.

Instructors will include: Paul Mason, Becky Mason, Kelly Blades and many others.

$3.00 per session with a max of 4 on water session per person. No limit to land sessions.

- 28 canoe workshops
- 28 kayak workshops
- 21 dry land session
Intro to rowing, dragon boating, and Montreal boat (really big canoes) tours all day.

Examples of workshops:
Seasoned solo canoeing with Becky Mason
Kayak games
Rolling a kayak
Bear wise with MNR
Rolling an open canoe
Camp cooking

Full schedule will be available September 1st.

Paddlefest is a partnership with the city of Toronto. Proceeds to support Inner Tripping Outtripping Centre

September 14th at 9:00 pm Watershed moments slide show and talk at the store with Becky Mason (Call the store in advance know how to let us know if you will assist to give us an idea of how many people we will be dealing with).

Encourage Participants to bring their boat, we always need more. There will be boats available for loan otherwise.

If it rains we get wet. Uneless it's unsafe, we are on the water.

More questions? Contact J at [email protected], Liz at [email protected] or Jorge at [email protected]

Hello to all of you,
the MEC Paddlefest is around the corner and here is the latest update.

Vendors this year will include:
Complete Paddler (Platinum sponsor)
P&H
Level Six
Evergreen
Taylor's Outdoor Gear
Harvest Foodworks
Red Tail Paddles
Paddle Shack
...more still to confirm

Schools/guiding outfits:
Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak
Naturally Superior Adventures
Paddler Co-op
Madawaka Kanu Centre
Horizon Adventures

...more still to confirm

Other:
Wilderness Medical Associates
ORCKA
Leave No Trace Canada
Future Watch
Frenchman's Bay Kayak Works
...more still to confirm

We're raffling off a $1800 Kayak, one that was a product of the Sponsorship
program, so it's not a model we sell. oh well.

There will be an Edmonton/Ottawa style gear swap at the event. That means we
will rent out tables to members who can then sell their stuff. Registration
for tables will run from Sept 5th-13th, tables will cost $20 for the day.

Clinics will be $3 each, max of 4 on water clinics, no limit to on land
workshops. Preregistration opens today, Sept 5th and runs through to Sept 13th.
IT MUST BE DONE IN PERSON THROUGH THE MEMBER SERVICE DESK. ANY EXCEPTIONS
MUST GO THROUGH SENIOR STAFF. Returns may be done over the phone.
Participants do NOT have to be members. We are strongly encouraging people to
preregister, as we expect the event to sell out.
Many classes have prerequisites, so pay carefull attention when signing
participants up for certain classes.
In total, we'll be offering 98 classes/workshops. Most of which will be on the
water.

Have a look at the schedule, it says a lot about the event.

Remember that if you want to sell your all equipment throug he gear swap, this must be used. We wont accept any brand new items. So, get together and rent a table and give the opportunity to somebody else to use or wear your old stuff.
Don't forget to visit the web page for more detail
www.mec.ca/paddlefest

The festival will run shine or rain.

See ya