Russia was a no-show for the Senior 1000. They were in the race program, but there was an empty lane left during their scheduled race. Odd.

Also, the top Germans, Czechs and Chinese (that's Shun de -- not the Taipei and Macau mid-level teams now in Sydney) are rumored to have forgone these races to compete in the ICF Worlds next year. Looks like the ICF is still a factor, and it may become a force as it continues to dilute the talent at the IDBF Worlds.

As for the Sydney Worlds, the whole thing is being run half-assed. The opening ceremonies were ridiculous, as there was no parade because the marshalls couldn't figure out how to organize the parade. Also, there was a bunch of boats with team flags in the water -- but you couldn't see them because it was already night time and the boats were unlit!!! Who's running this show?

The races went off very smoothly so far -- but with so few participants that's not that hard. The USA team got a ridiculously small tent, while other less-represtented countries had plenty of space. Again, who's in charge of planning this stuff?

And the trip is overpriced on many fronts. The hotels are expensive. The provided busses are expensive. There is NO food being served by the IDBF at the course. There is an independent concession stand, but it's overpriced and not very good. The Sunday party is US$85 per person!!! The IDBF is in serious trouble if it continues to run these World Championships like a random festival AND overcharge, too. Like it or not IDBF, the ICF is continuing to hold World Championships and attracting better and better teams. The teams get treated very well by the ICF, too. Word IS getting out that the ICF presents a legitimate alternative.

The LAST race ended 5 hours ago, yet the day's results are still not available online. Dear IDBF: this is the WORLDS and it's 2007! It's not hard to post results in real-time -- or, at least, to post them within an hour of the end of the day. Other festivals actually post results faster. It's mindboggling how it takes so long for the results to be posted online.

@OP:
> There is NO food being served by the IDBF
The IDBF doesn't serve food. It's up to the organizer of the event to provide that sort of thing, as I am sure it is with the ICF.

> As for the Sydney Worlds, the whole thing is being run half-assed
If that is your opinion, you are entitled to it. But if you think it could be done better, why don't you help out? All dragonboat federations, but especially the IDBF, always needs volunteers for any kind of job. So if you think you know better, help out and offer your thoughts/ideas.

> Word IS getting out that the ICF presents a legitimate alternative
Legitimate? No. An alternative? Maybe. A better alternative? I don't think so, but that is my opinion.

@Anonymous September 20 2007, 8:46 AM:
If you have the results for me, and can send them to me, I'll have them up at idbf.org very shortly.
> It's mindboggling how it takes so long
Actually, if you've ever been involved (from an organizational point of view, not as a paddler or spectator) in a major event like a Worlds or European or or Continental Championship, there are always a 1001 things to do that have a higher priority. Given that most of the people in those events are volunteers as well, I can fully understand that they'd like some sleep as well. A paddler gets rest in between heats, but the officials and organizers don't: there's always another heat to run and you're constantly on the go from first heat till last heat of the day.

Stefan,
IDBF does not run the event.
A local event management team/organization does and that's where your problems start.

ICF run the events themselves with the backing of their organization.

It certainly sounds half-assed and that's a pathetic excuse for not posting the results timely.

> There is NO food being served by the IDBF
The IDBF doesn't serve food. It's up to the organizer of the event to provide that sort of thing, as I am sure it is with the ICF.


However IDBF does select the organizer, signs a contract with them and can influence the food and food selections


> As for the Sydney Worlds, the whole thing is being run half-assed
If that is your opinion, you are entitled to it. But if you think it could be done better, why don't you help out? All dragonboat federations, but especially the IDBF, always needs volunteers for any kind of job. So if you think you know better, help out and offer your thoughts/ideas.


Right, if you don't do it, shut up and be happy.
If I take a plane and the plane is 4 hours late is the solution for the next flight for me to become a pilot?


> Word IS getting out that the ICF presents a legitimate alternative
Legitimate? No. An alternative? Maybe. A better alternative? I don't think so, but that is my opinion.

ICF is legitimate alternative. They don't even have to call it dragonboat, they can call it whatever.


@Anonymous September 20 2007, 8:46 AM:
If you have the results for me, and can send them to me, I'll have them up at idbf.org very shortly.

As someone who has access to the back end of IDBF's website, you shouldn't be asking for results here. This shows that there isn't even a mechanism in place for distributing the results.


> It's mindboggling how it takes so long
Actually, if you've ever been involved (from an organizational point of view, not as a paddler or spectator) in a major event like a Worlds or European or or Continental Championship, there are always a 1001 things to do that have a higher priority. Given that most of the people in those events are volunteers as well, I can fully understand that they'd like some sleep as well. A paddler gets rest in between heats, but the officials and organizers don't: there's always another heat to run and you're constantly on the go from first heat till last heat of the day.

Actually, since I have been involved in organizing few big races, in few different sports, seems that you have dropped the ball on this one and didn't get enough people to work the event or the ones you got are lazy.

yea stefan, you chose to take on the task. If you cant handle it then you shouldnt have stepped up. There is no excuse for a terrible showing of the WORLDS. You guys have to set the bar higher, and be accountable!!

sounds like you are trying to pass the buck!!

are the ICF dragonboat world championships held separately from other canoe events?

There are significantly fewer teams competing this year than in years past. Perhaps that's partly due to the fact the races are in Australia, but it has a lot to do with the fact that the ICF is attrracting many top teams. Obviously, the ICF is offering something that is attractive.

The Senior Open category only has 8 teams -- from just 5 countries. (Canada, US, and Australia sent two teams each in that division.) And the IDBF has said that this is the last year that two teams will be allowed in that division! That's just silly.

The IDBF needs a reality check -- fast. If the the US and/or Canada decide to compete in ICF events instead of IDBF events, that will be the death knell for the IDBF.

So much stuff happening in the background . . .

But I would have to agree, if IDBF is to remain a serious force, its organization much be efficient, effective and efficacious. The most important event for an international organization is not club crews or corp comp -- it has to be the world championships. This show cases the world the best teams from member nations. And the ICF is still chomping on the bits to get a chance to upstage IDBF.

Let's just hope Sydney 2007 is an anomaly.