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.
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| 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.
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| Chilling with Jay, Gio, Jerumel, Jamang, Jordan and Louis |
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| With James Santos of Triton |
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| 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
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| 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.
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| Maritime Police Dragon Boat Team |
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| 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
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| 3rd Runner-up: One Piece Drakon Sangres |
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| 2nd Runner-up: Onslaught Racing Dragons |
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| 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!
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| Thanks Jerumel! |
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| Dinner with Yvette, Reygie, Jerumel, and Nicca |
