New Website Coming
The powers that be are hard at work on the newest Pirates Dragon Boat Team website. It will be state of the art, with more bells and whistle than a thing with lots of bells and whistles on it. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. It is on its way. You have been warned.

First Meeting Of The Year - Feb 13th 2008 at the Pantry
Well it's that time of the year again. The Pirates Dragon Boat Team will be holding their first meeting of the 2008 season Wednesday Feb 13th, 7:00 o'clock, at the Pantry in Chilliwack. Everyone is welcome. Bring yourselves and your friends. As always, we will be discussing the upcoming year, the regattas we want to attend, sponsorship, fees, etc. Bring your ideas. See everyone there.

No Time To Sit Around - Time To Recruit for 2008
Well just because it's early in the fall doesn't mean we can rest on our loral's. It is time to start thinking about next year. Time to start looking at recruitment.

The Pirates Dragon Boat Team is actively recruiting for the upcoming season. If you are interested in trying out the fastest growing water sport in the world, please drop us a line, give us a call, say hello on the street. You to can enjoy the excitement and adrenaline that is Dragon Boat racing. Anyone can try it, anyone can succeed. All you need is some heart and a will to learn.

Benefits of Dragon Boating include: Fun, excitement, exercise, friendships, the thrill of competition. It all starts with a commitment to get in the boat. Once you're there leave the rest up to us. We will teach you, train you, excite you, and commit to you. Click here for our contact information.

Where did the time go?
It seems like just yesterday we were getting our wet skins and thermal underwear on to start the season, and now we are taking the boats out of the water. It seems like yesterday we were recruiting for new paddlers, and now we have to say goodbye to our new friends. It seems like we just started our first practice and now we are getting out of the boats for the last time this year. Yes, its time to put the paddles and PDF's away. TIme to let the body heal. Time to look back over 6 months of blood sweat and tears. Time to reflect on what happened, what could have happened and what might have been. It has been an interesting ride. New paddlers, new faces and new friends.

A huge "Thank You" goes out to everyone on the Pirates for their commitment, dedication and understanding this year. Another fun season is over. And now we wait...

Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Club Challenge
Well, it's official. The season is over. But before we bring the boats out of the water, there is a little something that needs to be settled. Just who is the best team in Harrison. The first annual Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Club Challenge was held today to see which team gets bragging rights during the off season. The four teams raced a quasi-round robin to see who would rule supreme. Some very close races were run, with the Myriad Mavericks narrowly defeating the Crusaders for the Bronze title. This left the Pirates and the Thunderstrokers to dual it out for the ultimate prize. These two veteran teams put on a clinic on how dragonboating should be done. Both teams pulled hard. Both kept time perfectly. Both teams raced with all they had. Unfortunately there cannot be two winners. Bragging rights and the FVDBC Challenge trophy are awarded to the Thunderstrokers. Congratulations from the Pirates. What a race. Until next year....

What A Weekend. Thank You Kelowna
The Pirates arrived in Kelowna over the weekend to compete in their last regatta of the season. This is the Pirates third time at Kelowna and we always enjoy the event. Colin James entertained vast amounts of people Friday night on the beach. A few of the Pirates made their way to the event and enjoyed themselves. Saturday was a wonderful day. The Pirates raced once in the morning ( a fifth place finish with a time of 2:29). In the afternoon we shaved a bunch of seconds off our original time and finished 3rd with 2:22. We were placed in the "Silver" division. Life was good. And then came Sunday. Arriving at the festival we noticed that mother nature was not cooperating. High winds and white caps greeted us as we entered the paddlers village. We were told the event was an hour behind because of the weather. Event organizers decided to alter the race course and length to try and keep the event on time. So off go the Pirates to race in a 250 meter semi-final (we usually race 500 meters). A quick start and off we went. The team paddled their hearts out and came in first in their race. When all the times were tallied up, we made our way to the Medal Round. So it was hurry up and wait time. The weather did not ease up and in the afternoon the organizers decided to cancel the conciliation rounds sending alot of teams home early, a bit depressed but understanding. The event carried on for the final round. A few of the all ladies teams did get their races in and then the whole event was cancelled because of the weather. Not the best way to end the season, but safety first. Until next year.....Oh wait..there is the Challenge Cup...we are not done yet.

Kelowna Regatta Is Here At Last
The sun isn't as warm, the rain is coming, its almost time to put the boats away for another year. Summer is almost over (Almost). But before we say our goodbyes and before we dig out the snow shoes and ski's we still need to wrap the season up in style. Kelowna here we come. The Pirates will be out in full force this weekend as we head east for our final event of the year. The Kelowna Dragon Boat Festival is always "THE" highlight of the summer. Great venue, great teams and good fun is what it's all about. Colin James will be having a concert Friday night, we paddle our butts off Saturday and Sunday and if the stars are all aligned and if everyone works hard we will be coming home with some hardware.

First Pirate Wedding
It was bound to happen. It was only a matter of time. The first Pirate wedding took place this weekend with our ever lovely Lori Mauger tying the knot with new comer and all around nice guy Bijan Mohitpour.
The wedding almost didn't happen. Yes Lori found someone she wanted to spend the rest of her life with and yes they were in love and yes her parents liked him, BUT the answer to the REAL question remained. "Can he paddle?". If he couldn't paddle he would have to go. It was touch and go for the first few practices, but Bijan slowly came around. Good thing for Lori.
The ceremony took place Friday at Minter Gardens. Friends and family witnessed the joining of these two souls and wish them the best of luck with their new lives.
Click here for photos

Pirates Breakaway and Head West
A few members of the Pirates Dragon Boat Team abandoned ship this weekend to help paddle for other teams at the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. A handful jumped aboard the Myriad Mavericks, a newer team from the Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Club, while a couple more did the same with Swordfish, a team from Vancouver.
Combining members from different teams can sometimes be awkward or detrimental, but the Pirates blended well to create cohesiveness. Four races were run over two days and the final race saw the fruits of everyone's labour, a first place finish in Amethyst B final. The Pirates would like to thank the Myriad Mavericks for taking us in and treating us like team mates. We would also like to thank Ashala for a job well done, putting up with Pirates can be a choir at the best of times. We tip our Pirate hats to you and your team. Well done.

Pirettes Pillage Cultus Lake
The Pirettes Dragon Boat Team (an all ladies version of the Pirates created by combining forces with other ladies from the Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Club and Mana Wahine an all ladies team from Cultus Lake) hit the beaches of Cultus Lake to compete in the Cultus Lake Dragon Boat Regatta over the weekend. With three hard fought races and with focus and determination, the Pirettes placed a very respectable third place over all for the day. A job well done. A special THANK YOU goes out to the ladies from Myriad Crusaders and Mana Wahine for doning a Pirate jersey and being a Pirette for the day. The Pirettes would also like to thank Adam and Kat for opening their home to us with the traditional after race BBQ. Good food, warm cheer and good friends.
Click here for Photos

Alcan - What a Blast
Sometimes paddling is not about winning or losing, but rather about team building and raising up spirits. The Pirates took a very light boat into The Alcan Dragon Boat Festival this weekend. With only 16 paddlers (compared to the usual 20), it looked like we did not have a chance to at least do as well as we did last year (winning Gold in F division). The race virgins got their first taste of racing and performed above and beyond expectations, the veterans did what veterans should do and raised to the occasion. Together, The Pirates went past F division (referred to as Novice division this year), they went past E division (also a novice division) and landed in the D division final. Paddling as a team and with incredible passion and conviction, The Pirates just missed a third place finish (1.5 seconds is not alot of time). With their fastest race time of the weekend (2:30) the Pirates held their collective heads high and placed a very respectable 4th. I commend everyone that showed up and paddled their hearts out. A job well done.

Next Up.....Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Regatta - July 21 2007.

Our First Regatta Of The Year - Bill Alley Memorial Regatta
The Pirates raced well all day. In our first heat we took 1st place. Second heat we almost had first again, but came in second (.5 of a second isn't alot of time). The third race saw us just missing second by a second and a half. When the dust settled and everything was tallied up, we had made it into the final race. Up against some very strong teams, the Pirates finished 4th over all. To steal from a baseball analogy, we paddled for the cycle. A very rewarding day all around. The new rookies are no longer rookies. They had their first taste of a true Dragon Boat race and survived. Well done everyone.

Until next time...

The Open Paddle Is Coming, The Open Paddle Is Coming!!!
The Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Club is having their annual free open paddle March 10th at Harrison Hot Springs (Click here for map). This event allows people to come out and see what paddling a Dragon Boat is all about. Members from all the local teams will be on hand to help out and answer questions. The boats will be in the water from 10:00am to 2:00pm. If you have any questions please feel free to drop us a line. The Pirates hope to see you there.

Thank You For Coming.
The Pirates Dragon Boat Team would like to thank everyone that braved the weather and ventured out to the Pirates Spring Round Up Dance and Chili Cook Off. A good time was had by all. With so many different styles of chili to choose from, it was hard to eat just one bowl (I know I had more than one). A special "Thank You" to all the Pirates that put alot of time and energy into making it a very special evening.

I Want To Dance
The Pirates Dragon Boat Team is having their first of many fundraiser's starting tonight. The Spring Roundup and Chili Cook off will be held tonight at the Mt. Cheam Lions Hall on Spadina. Doors open at 6pm. Get tickets in advance or at the door. Cost is $12 and includes a Chili dinner. There will be dancing and eating and drinking and more eating and them more dancing. Well, you get the picture. Come out and support The Pirates.

OK Recruits Time to Sink or Swim.
With the Ice Breaker over, all eyes are on the new tasks at hand. The boats are almost ready to hit the water, the PDF's will soon be cleaned and readied for a new season so all that is left is the Recruitment Drive. The Pirates along with the other teams from the Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Club will be holding their annual Open House at the Cottonwood mall this weekend. Come out and meet a real life Dragon Boat Person. There will be DVD's to watch, brochures to read and really great people to talk to. Sign up for a free paddle as well. Once you get a taste of Dragon Boating, you will be hard pressed to do anything else. Hope to see everyone out there.

The Ice Breaker is back!!!!
"Do you remember when and would you like to get together again?"
What does some lyrics from a Jim Stafford song have to do with Dragon Boating? Well, its that time of the year again where the crazy Pirates get together and brave the icy cold water to do the Annual Lotus Club Ice Breaker. Now this is no ordinary feat. The nutty people at the Lotus Club take two C6 outriggers and strap them together. They then take 12 of the craziest people they can find and drop them into these boats. They then take these 12 crazy people in this crazy double hulled C6 outrigger and MAKE THEM paddle their collective butts off around an island and back to shore. Now if that wasn't bad enough, they do all this in JANUARY...when its cold and wet and cold.
But as good Pirates do, we dropped our collective butts into the boats and paddles around the island and made it back to shore and we did all this with a smile and alot of laughs. Welcome to 2007.

Welcome To The 2007 Dragon Boat Year.
I was going to change the website like I did last year but with all the success we have had, I decided to leave it alone. So, on behalf of the Pirates Dragon Boat Team welcome to 2007. This should be a great year for the Pirates. We have the core of our members returning with a whole talent pool of new prospects. In the next few months the boats will be back in the water and the season will be under way. The veterans will be shacking off cobwebs and the rookies will be getting a good taste of Dragon Boat life.
After a very successful year where the Pirates won Gold in Alcan, first place in their division at Cultas Lake and ended the season with a 3rd place finish at Kelowna the new season is looking great.