Dragon Boat Races
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

by Sherry Ha

July 30-31, 2005

These were REAL races. Intense. Well organized. Competitive with teams from across both countries. 

Winning there meant a lot because you really got to see where your team stood in relationship to other teams. You didn't win by default because better teams weren't there. You won because you were good. 

My team is Xtreme NY. As a team we really had to work together well - it was serious work. Montreal is one of those competitions where you do not want to look bad. We came in third, and last year the team had been first so the old timers were disappointed, but for my first year it was definitely worth the long trip up. 

We raced in Parc Jean Drapeau, a man made basin on the St. Lawrence River built for the 1976 Olympics. And there was no possibility of ringers - everyone was given a numbered bracelet and numbers were checked for each race.

Although we had to be up early every morning in tip top shape so we couldn't enjoy the night life, we did get to go to Old Montreal one night. It is narrow cobblestone streets along the river with a large plaza leading down from the old government buildings on the hill filled with outdoor cafes and French food. With the exception of the Canadian border guards, the long drive and the chance to be tourists together was good for team building. 

Montreal was racing where you really got your adrenaline pumping - and a very rewarding experience.

Dragon Boat Breast Cancer Survivors
Princeton, New Jersey

August 2005

Racing in Princeton was the complete opposite of Montreal. Here the reward was knowing your were doing something worthwhile - raising funds for breast cancer research. New York teams, rather than competing against each other, were on the same teams. XtremeNY joined with JP Morgan Chase to become the Friends of New York team. We came in 3rd in the 2000 meters, but since our team was made up of people we usually competed against - it wasn't about winning but working together - the true spirit of sportsmanship. 

The photo above is when everyone threw a pink carnation into the river in memory of the women who did not survive, and the reason why raising awareness is so important. One of the dragon boat teams is the Breast Cancer Survival Club.  

Teams came from everywhere - even places you don't imagine having a dragon boat team - like Pittsburgh - home of the steel mills.

Having both types of races - Montreal and Princeton - was a good counterpoint. The many many many hours of practice every Saturday and Sunday morning paid off - because it was a win win situation - doing good and doing good for others!

Official Montreal site:
http://www.montrealdragonboat.com/site/index.php?event=home&lang=EN

My teams site: www.xtremeny.com

Photos from Princeton: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/748171/1/32991726