Monday, February 24, 2014

Seafair 2014 200m Dragon Boat Race


Seafair 2014 Dragon Boat Race was held last 22 February, Saturday, in CCP Bay Terminal. Sadly, I was not able to join the race because of the injury on my left shoulder that happened during the Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Race. I was advised to undergo therapy and needed to rest my shoulders. I followed the physician's advise not to attend the training so I can easily recover. I may not be on the boat during the race but still I support my team by going there during the race day.

Onslaught Team A prepping for Semis
Seafair 2014 is the Biggest Yacht and Marine Lifetsyle Exposition measuring 6,000 square feet including more than 20 yachts plus Tied a Knot Fashion Show and Regatta and Dragon Boat Competition. The dragon boat competition includes Men's Open Crew, Mixed Crews and Women's Crew.  



Lane 3: ORDs Team A


Men's Open Crews (11)

Crimson Dragons, Maharlika Drakon, Manila Ocean Park Team A, Manila Ocean Park Team B, NTMA Dragon Boat Team, Onslaught Racing Dragons Team A, Onslaught Racing Dragons Team B, Philippine Airforce, Rogue Pilipinas, Triton Team A, Triton Team B.

Mixed Crews (7)
Crimson Dragons, Maharlika Drakon, Manila Ocean Park, Onslaught Racing Dragons, Philippine Airforce, Rogue Pilipinas, Triton Team.

Women's Crews (4)
Maharlika-Rogue, Onslaught Racing Dragons, Philippine Airforce, Triton Team.
Cool Down...
While waiting for the result of the semis and while my team is cooling-down, I went around the race venue to take some pictures of the other teams. It is not the race I usually attended, tents for competing teams was not provided by the organizers. Instead of tents, tables were provided for the paddlers. Some teams even brought their tents to secure their belongings. I only noticed that the organizers provided tent for the Secretariat booth.



Finally the results are in and to my dismay, my team was not able to reach the finals. That's plus 5 seconds on the time recorded because of the violation committed. My team did not crossed the finish line on our own lane and that sealed the fate of our team during the semis. We were not able to reach the finals. Lesson learned in every mistake. After the result of Open's Crew, they took their lunch feeling low because of what happened. On the other hand, our mixed crew still reached the Finals.


Lunch time!

After having lunch, me and my friend, Maybelle, decided to stroll along the race venue and checked what's on the activity area. We took some pictures as many as we can and enjoyed the moment even if the weather is hot. Never knew that my friend loves cars! She was fascinated with the displays. I also got a chance to take picture with TV5 news reporter, Renzie Ongkiko, who covered the event. The event lasted only for a half-day.

With Maybelle Rose






With idol: Renzie Ongkiko of TV5
While having bottles of beer, Jimmy, who happened to be with the Airforce Team informed Leigh that we were 2nd Runner-up for Women's Crew! Without expecting an award, we were all happy to get the news, Maureen and Yvette went on the awarding venue to get the trophy! For the second time our Women's Crew got their second trophy on dragon boat race. Great job ladies, you are Onslaught! By next race, I know that my shoulder will be fully recovered and I am sure that I am ready for hard core training once again. I just miss the my playground, the Manila Bay. 

2nd Runner-Up Womens 200m Small Boat

With Leigh, Maureen, Yvette and Rogie


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

PDBF Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Race 2014

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Race 2014 kicks off! It is the first dragon boat race of the year and paddlers were all excited as the new season of dragon boat racing starts. It was originally scheduled on the 2nd day of February but it was moved last Sunday, February 9, 2014 giving more ample time for the competing teams to prepare for the event. The event started with the Chinese traditions like Dragon and Lion Dance, burning of incense sticks and the like. It was fun to experience how Chinese celebrate new year. 



Seventeen teams were there to compete for the event. High-spirited and well-motivated teams gathered together aiming to bring home the bacon. 


Cool Down!
In between heats, off course we also got time to bond with other members of the team. I also have the time to meet my friends from other teams, do some chats with them. Is it not great that even if we were from different teams and competing each other, we were still able to create friendship? That's the spirit of sportsmanship. 
Chilling with Jay, Gio, Jerumel, Jamang, Jordan and Louis

With James Santos of Triton

Waiting for Final Race of the Day!
Our Opens Crew was able to survive until the final race of the day. Having reached the finals is another new achievement again for my team, Onslaught Racing Dragons. I am as well equally proud to our Women's and Mixed Crew, who also able to land their spots on the Semis.

Official Results for Women's 300M Small Boat Semi-final
1st: Philippine Coast Guard 1:35:95
2nd: RCP 1:40:25
3rd: Blue Phoenix 1:41:45
4th: Onslaught Racing Dragons 1:46:41

Official Results for Mixed 300M Standard Semi-final 2
1st: Philippine National Police 1:23:18
2nd: RCP 1:23:83
3rd: Onslaught Racing Dragons 1:24:15
4th: Rogue A 1:24:40

Free shower from a Fire Truck :)
Having placed as 2nd Runner-up is such an achievement. Hard work and discipline of each member of our team paid off. Thanks to undying dedication of all members, supporters and off-course to our sponsors. 

Maritime Police Dragon Boat Team

Philippine Air Force Dragon Boat Team
Official Results for Open 300M Standard Final
1st: Philippine Army Dragon Boat Team 1:12:11
2nd: Philippine Coast Guard Dragon Boat Team 1:15:97
3rd: Onslaught Racing Dragons 1:16:82
4th: One Piece Drakon Sangres 1:19:36

3rd Runner-up: One Piece Drakon Sangres

2nd Runner-up: Onslaught Racing Dragons

The Champion: Philippine Army Dragon Boat Team
After the awarding, we decided to have dinner somewhere along Roxas Boulevard. We parted ways from the other members of the group, some went home, some got their own events as well. It was great to spend quality time with co-members after the race. It seems like we were not tired over the whole day race. It was carbo-loading session again, after all,  we need to recharge ourselves from the intense physical activity during the day. I am so proud to be Onslaught! 

Thanks Jerumel!

Dinner with Yvette, Reygie, Jerumel, and Nicca