Paddler Spotlight - Marty!

Hometown?
Marty:
Moorestown, NJ

Birthday?
Marty:
Keeping it secret to avoid losing my contact lenses by getting dunked in the Marina. - Good thing Galen will guess that it is: 7/10

Favorite Food(s)?
Marty:
My Achilles' Heel; I like ALL foods, even the non-kosher ones that I avoid. EXCEPT shellfish and pork

How long have you been paddling for?
Marty:
Since 2004; makes this my 6th season. Not bad for an old geezer, huh?

Why do you paddle?
Marty:
It's the perfect team sport, I love the teammembers, and it's great exercise as long as one really works at it

Are you a better Paddler when you are Happy or Angry?
Marty:
I don't really know, but I'd guess when I'm happy; "angry" causes loss of focus and control and can cost me timing, efficient stroke, etc.

Favorite or notable Space Dragon moment(s)?
Marty:
There are just too many to really get a handle on them all. I guess my most notable was when I was jockeying for position at a 200m race start a couple years ago and they started the race when I was still way off the start line; a good object lesson! Probably my most favorite was a couple years ago (maybe even the same tournament) when I steered a nearly perfect race and we won by less than a second; I know we wouldn't have won if I'd done anything wrong, like getting us a little sideways at the start or not keeping a perfect line in the lane.

How do you prepare yourself for a Race?
Marty:
I just try to block the plethora of distractions around me and focus on what I'm about to do with either the paddle or the oar.

Any hobbies, activities, interests outside of paddling?
Marty:
Singing with the Pacific Chorale (www.pacificchorale.org) is my big thing. It was a PC member that got me into dragonboating, and I got one of our teammembers into PC, which just goes to show that what goes around comes around. Table games like backgammon, chess, bridge and various card games; sports like tennis and bicycling; lots of reading; spectator sports like baseball, hockey and football (not basketball so much). And I'm always interested in trying something new (hence my beginning dragonboating back in 2004).

Any advice for new Paddlers?
Marty:
Listen to the coaches, have fun, and remember that every one of us started out crummy and got better from there. Don't get frustrated; it takes time (I'm still trying to perfect my stroke).

Paddling-wise, any particular goals for yourself or the team?
Marty:
Sure. Win everything.

If you could change one thing about the Team, what would it be?
Marty:
Frankly, I'd like to see more focus during practice; I personally think that would make a difference in our level of competition. That said, I know everyone has a different style in preparing and improving themselves; and admittedly, the insanity of this team is one of the fun things about it! But I figure there's plenty of time to party after we get off the water.

Favorite part about being a Space Dragon?
Marty:
I can't think of one specific thing; it's the total gestalt of the team that fascinates me and demands my commitment to it.

You have a single brother or sister. What Space Dragon would you consider hooking them up with?
Marty:

I greet each morning with extreme gratitude that I don't have a single brother or sister! I know I wouldn't have to hook 'em up with anyone; the team would be aggressive enough in that respect (especially with my sister; she's a stone fox!).

Most interesting character you've met through the team?
Marty:
Aw, heck. I can't think of just one; practically everyone on the team is intensely interesting, but in different ways.

Any interesting facts about yourself - or secrets that you want to divulge?
Marty:
Now, why would I want to divulge a SECRET?! Interesting facts? To me they're interesting but I'm not sure they'd be so to anyone else. Maybe the most interesting: I've shared the stage in the past with, among others, the following rather famous personalities: Linda Ronstadt, Mac Davis, Liza Minelli, Bruce Springsteen, Zuben Mehta, Eugene Ormandy, Yo Yo Ma, Aerosmith (they were WEIRD!)...

Who got you into Space dragons/Dragonboating? And How did you meet him/her?
Marty:
There's a gal who paddled with IMUA and later Aerodragons, who sings in PC, named Ruthanne Walker. Dragonboating came up in a conversation one virtual day (e-mail), she mentioned that Rick Ikemoto was building a team out at Space Park, and the rest as they say is history.

Pump up your workout! By making it shorter?

You think Joe is mean and lazy?
Well there is a reason why, No pain no medal....

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/can-you-get-fit-in-six-minutes-a-week/

My take: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) regimens require both proper warmup and also a strong base layer of fitness in order to minimize the risk of injury. This is not to be taken lightly — if you’re doing it right, you often wind up feeling like you’re going to either heave or faint after about five or six of the brief bursts of effort. (let me tell you that I have done this workout and I want to puke after the 2nd sprint - not for the faint of heart)

In short, there are no easy shortcuts.

That said, brief and higher intensity workouts are far more productive use of time than conventional training methods - it just makes you want to die...

Thanks Joe for the pain!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

June 24, 2009, 12:26 pm
Can You Get Fit in Six Minutes a Week?
By Gretchen Reynolds

A few years ago, researchers at the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Japan put rats through a series of swim tests with surprising results. They had one group of rodents paddle in a small pool for six hours, this long workout broken into two sessions of three hours each. A second group of rats were made to stroke furiously through short, intense bouts of swimming, while carrying ballast to increase their workload. After 20 seconds, the weighted rats were scooped out of the water and allowed to rest for 10 seconds, before being placed back in the pool for another 20 seconds of exertion. The scientists had the rats repeat these brief, strenuous swims 14 times, for a total of about four-and-a-half minutes of swimming. Afterward, the researchers tested each rat’s muscle fibers and found that, as expected, the rats that had gone for the six-hour swim showed preliminary molecular changes that would increase endurance. But the second rodent group, which exercised for less than five minutes also showed the same molecular changes.

The potency of interval training is nothing new. Many athletes have been straining through interval sessions once or twice a week along with their regular workout for years. But what researchers have been looking at recently is whether humans, like that second group of rats, can increase endurance with only a few minutes of strenuous exercise, instead of hours? Could it be that most of us are spending more time than we need to trying to get fit?

The answer, a growing number of these sports scientists believe, may be yes.

“There was a time when the scientific literature suggested that the only way to achieve endurance was through endurance-type activities,” such as long runs or bike rides or, perhaps, six-hour swims, says Martin Gibala, PhD, chairman of the Department of Kinesiology at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. But ongoing research from Gibala’s lab is turning that idea on its head. In one of the group’s recent studies, Gibala and his colleagues had a group of college students, who were healthy but not athletes, ride a stationary bike at a sustainable pace for between 90 and 120 minutes. Another set of students grunted through a series of short, strenuous intervals: 20 to 30 seconds of cycling at the highest intensity the riders could stand. After resting for four minutes, the students pedaled hard again for another 20 to 30 seconds, repeating the cycle four to six times (depending on how much each person could stand), “for a total of two to three minutes of very intense exercise per training session,” Gibala says.

Each of the two groups exercised three times a week. After two weeks, both groups showed almost identical increases in their endurance (as measured in a stationary bicycle time trial), even though the one group had exercised for six to nine minutes per week, and the other about five hours. Additionally, molecular changes that signal increased fitness were evident equally in both groups. “The number and size of the mitochondria within the muscles” of the students had increased significantly, Gibala says, a change that, before this work, had been associated almost exclusively with prolonged endurance training. Since mitochondria enable muscle cells to use oxygen to create energy, “changes in the volume of the mitochondria can have a big impact on endurance performance.” In other words, six minutes or so a week of hard exercise (plus the time spent warming up, cooling down, and resting between the bouts of intense work) had proven to be as good as multiple hours of working out for achieving fitness. The short, intense workouts aided in weight loss, too, although Gibala hadn’t been studying that effect. “The rate of energy expenditure remains higher longer into recovery” after brief, high-intensity exercise than after longer, easier workouts, Gibala says. Other researchers have found that similar, intense, brief sessions of exercise improve cardiac health, even among people with heart disease.

There’s a catch, though. Those six minutes, if they’re to be effective, must hurt. “We describe it as an ‘all-out’ effort,” Gibala says. You’ll be straying “well out of your comfort zone.” That level of discomfort makes some activities better-suited to intense training than others. “We haven’t studied runners,” Gibala says. The pounding involved in repeated sprinting could lead to injuries, depending on a runner’s experience and stride mechanics. But cycling and swimming work well. “I’m a terrible swimmer,” Gibala says, “so every session for me is intense, just because my technique is so awful.”
Meanwhile, his lab is studying whether people could telescope their workouts into even less time. Could a single, two- to three-minute bout of intense exercise confer the same endurance and health benefits as those six minutes of multiple intervals? Gibala is hopeful. “I’m 41, with two young children,” he says. “I don’t have time to go out and exercise for hours.” The results should be available this fall.

What time is it?

MIGHTY SPACE DRAGONS!
24 days till GAME TIME! (Aug 1 & 2)

1. Long Beach: DEADLINE to sign-up/withdraw from Big LB = THIS Sun, July 12
Paddler Fees = $30
SAT Lunch = Potluck (sign-ups this weekend)
SUN Lunch = Lee's Sandwiches (no cost!)

Current LB Roster:
RAVISHING LADIES (28)
Blanca
Deej
Diane
Em
Felicia Chanco
Grace
Jackie
Janet
Janice - AM ONLY
Jen Touye
Jen Zhao
Joanne
Karen
Kat
Kathy Wells
Liz Mesa
Marina
Mary
Mayana
Mic Miller
Michelle Holiman
Pearl
Remi
Sammi
Susie
Tammy
Tina
Tran

STUDLY DUDES (38)
AJ (mr croissantwich)
Brian (post-race COL hydration provider)
Ceez (master muhfugger)
Chiu (Chew Macka)
David Knight (Paparazzi Pirate)
David Lui (Lil Lui)
Devant (Golden Arches)
Dominic (DOMINATOR)
Eymard (gonna get devirginized)
Gabriel - AM ONLY (gonna get devirginized)
Galen - SUN PM ONLY (Nipples)
Garret (catch me a fish please)
James (bring us home snacks from Japan & Taiwan please)
Jason (Mr Cougar, Black Eye Victim #2)
Javeck (gonna get devirginized)
Jeff (gonna get devirginized)
Jeremy C (BJ)
Jeremy S (CJ)
Jim (Renaissance Man)
Joe (Lazy & Mean)
Kameron (Black Eye Victim #1)
Kelvin (gonna get devirginized)
Kim (Goal=don't miss a race heat)
Kevin (Kmak)
Kurt (Ripple Power 1)
Lewis (Bolo Yeung)
Marty (incredible shrinking Martin)
Pat (Ripple Power 2)
Paul (don't forget your PFD!)
Phil (el animale)
Rick - MASTERS ONLY (Capt Ikemoto)
Rico (suave)
Robert (mr. pink drink)
Rod (pelvis thruster)
Roger (gonna get devirginized)
Scott (too hottie)
Tom (turtle)
Vernon (physical specimen)
Wade (Black Eye delivery service)

2. STEERING CLINIC: THIS Sat, July 11th, 1pm
Big props to our very own STEP & PEARL for coordinating & assisting!
Will include on-water testing for those seeking certification

3. LAKE GREGORY (ARROWHEAD) RACE: Aug 16 (Sun)
Sign up now!
Evite has all the details
Arrive early Sun AM for racing OR arrive Sat for some fun & stay the night!
~1-2 hour drive from LA / OC

4. SAN FRANCISCO: Sep 26 & 27
Sign up now!
Please update Evite with lodging and traveling plans
Team Hotel SOLD OUT - if you need a room, contact Wade @ wade@spacedragons.org
Also looking for more crew, especially men & masters

5. LAKE LAS VEGAS: Oct 10
Gorgeous venue for a fun-filled 1-day tournament
RSVP via Evite

6. SD JERSEYS
Be sure to pay Captain Tran ASAP for recent order (Cash/checks payable to Tran Luu)!
Set to arrive before Long Beach tourney!

7. SD VETS assisting LB Festival Teams!
click here
Thanks, folks!!!

8. YARD SALE #2
To be held in late August, early Sept
Start setting aside contributions now!

Thank you!
Much love,
Pearl, Tran, Wade

SD Vets assisting w/ LB Festival Teams!

Very proud of the following Space Dragons for volunteering to help coach/steer some very important '09 Long Beach festival teams!

The WATER NINJAS
Scott, Kameron, Sammi

HOE! HUKI!
Emily, Marty

AT&T/APCA
Wade

Truly our honor to assist in the continual growth of our sport.
Remember that we were also once a festival team!


Special shout-out to Em & Marty for stepping up on short notice when we discovered a schedule conflict (steering clinic) w/ original willing volunteers!
Thanks, folks!

Wanna get away? To San Francisco?

For 48 hrs only (until July 8, 2009, 11:59 pm Pacific Time.)

Southwest is offering travel from Los Angeles with fares starting at $30 one-way.

Travel September 9 through November 18, 2009. Travel valid every day except Fridays & Sundays

Sounds like a good way to go to SF!

http://travel.southwest.com/specialoffers/offerDetails.html?id=16706192&departFrom=Los%20Angeles%20-%20LAX

Thanks Tina for thinking ahead!

List of 2009 LB Festival Teams (as of July 6, 09)

Plenty of good competition awaits on August 1, 2.
Be ready!

The following is the master list of teams/divisions for the 2009 Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival:

• VIP A/B
• Electric Dragons
• Team Panda
• Team DPW
• Verizon Speed of Light
• NBC
• TECO
• AN
  
• ANGEL DRAGON
• CPAD (Chinese Parent Association for Disabled)
• Foundations for Disabled Youth (FFDY)
• OPEN (A&B)
• Los Angeles Racing Dragons
• Electric Dragons
• AeroDragons Dragon Boat Club
• Space Dragons
• Killer Guppies
• Kahakai
• San Diego Dragon Boat Team
• Ripple Effect
• MLIS Predators
• Suen Feng Loong (SFL)
• Arizona Monsoon
• The Terminators
  
• San Francisco Dragon Warriors
• WOMEN (A&B)
• Los Angeles Racing Dragons
• Electric Dragons
• Blazing Paddles
• AeroDragons Dragon Boat Club
• Space Dragons
• Los Angeles Pink Dragons
• Team DPW
• Amazon Dragons
• Ripple Effect
• DragonMax
• Arizona Diva Dragons
• AZ Sun Gui Dragons (AZ Sun Warriors & AZ Gilas)
• Morro Dragons
• San Francisco Dragon Warriors
• San Diego Dragon Boat
• NAC Dragon Boat Team
• DIVISION I
• Los Angeles Racing Dragons Black
• Space Dragons Red
• UCLA Dragonboat
• Killer Guppies 1
• San Diego Dragon Boat Team
• San Diego Dragon Boat Team 2
• CYC All Stars
• MLIS Predators
• Galileo Celestial Dragons 1
• San Francisco Dragon Warriors 1
• Tianjin University
• DIVISION II
• Los Angeles Racing Dragons Red
  
• AeroDragons Dragon Boat Club 1
• Space Dragons Blue
• LA Thunder Dragons
• Dragonauts
• CAUCI Elements
• Team DPW 1
• USC Dragon Boat
• The Warriors
• Killer Guppies 2
  
• JAWS Black
• Alameda Dragonflyers
• Ripple Effect 1
• DragonMax
• CYC B^2
• Arizona Dragon Riders
• Cal Dragon Boat
• Lincoln High Gold
• Suen Feng Loong (SFL)
• Lowell High School 1
• DRD (Davis Racing Dragons) 1
• San Francisco Dragon Warriors 2
• UCSD Dragonboat
• Mustangs
• DIVISION III
• POSERS
• Los Angeles Racing Dragons White
• Electric Dragons Yellow
• Electric Dragons Green
• Blazing Paddles
• Godmode
• AeroDragons Dragon Boat Club 2
• Space Dragons White
• Los Angeles Pink Dragons
• Club Soda
• Team Panda
• Da Tribe
• LA Harbor Dragon Boat Club
• X-Generals
• Splashing Flyers
• Team DPW 2
• CACP (Chinese American Construction Professionals)
• JAWS Red
• AT&T/APCA
• Lung Kong Dragonboat
• NAC Dragon Boat Team
• Amazon Dragons
• Ripple Effect 2
• Dieselfish
• EZ Riders
• Dragon Healers - Gold
• Dragon Healers - Red
• Dragon Healers - Green
• Arizona Gila Dragons
• Galileo Celestial Dragons 2
• Lowell High School 2
• DRD (Davis Racing Dragons) 2
• Washington Eagles
• Lightwave
  
• San Francisco Dragon Warriors 3
• MASTERS
• Space Dragons
• Killer Guppies
  
• Alameda Dragonflyers
• DragonMax
• San Francisco Dragon Warriors
• AZ Riders Masters
• San Diego Dragon Boat
• NAC Dragon Boat Team
• CORPORATE (A&B)
• Electric Dragons
• H-1 Racer
• Big Lap Cheung
• The Simple Humans
• Team Panda
• X-Generals
• Splashing Flyers
• Team DPW 1
• Team DPW 2
• Verizon Speed of Light
• Water Ninja
• Hoe Huki
• Dragon Healers - Gold
• KP Thrivers
• BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS
• Los Angeles Pink Dragons
• Central Coast Survive Oars
• ALL FEMALE CANCER SURVIVORS
• Los Angeles Pink Dragons
• Team Survivor San Diego
• COLLEGE (A&B)
• Godmode
• UCLA Dragonboat
• CAUCI Elements
• USC Dragon Boat
• Cal Dragon Boat
• Suen Feng Loong (SFL)
• DRD (Davis Racing Dragons)
• UCSD Dragonboat
• Mustangs
• Lung Kong Dragonboat
• Tianjin University
• DRD 2
• HIGH SCHOOL (A&B)
• WOW (Walnut on Water)
• Awkward Turtles
• Dragonauts
• WCCLS (Walnut Confucious Chinese Language School)
• RICE (Rowing is Crazy Exercise)
• JAWS Black
• JAWS Red
• CYC All Stars
• CYC B^2
  
• MLIS Predators
• Lincoln High Gold
• Galileo Celestial Dragons 1
• Galileo Celestial Dragons 2
• Lowell High School 1
• Lowell High School 2
• Washington Eagles
• Dana Outrigger 1
• MHS Dragon Riders
  
• JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
• Belmont Shore Paddling Club
• WCCLS (Walnut Confucious Chinese Language School)
• Dana Outrigger 1
• Dana Outrigger 2
• ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
• LA Harbor Dragon Boat Club
• Fireballs

Mista July

Mr. July:
Scott "the Tsunami" Matsunami

Name: Scottie "Too Hottie" Matsunami
DOB: April 17th
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Likes: Kameron and Sammantha, L&L's, Fishing, Sammi & Kam, Bicycling, spending time with his kiddies, jazz concerts, marching band performances, talent shows, track meets, baseball games, his children, golf, maintaining cars, ziplining, working on his house, his amazing girth - of his wallet, women, his 2 greatest accomplishments in life - the lil Matsunamis...

Dislikes: White Devils, stupid people at work, when people make fun of his "simulated" hacking after race sets, 5AM telecons, people making fun of the amazing girth of his wallet, trying to sleep with his kids not home, jetsetting across America, lemonade, hidden windshield wiper buttons, punk azz kids not respecting their elders, rsvping and paying for Space Dragon events as only 1 person

Relationship Status: Ladies are you ready for this? Amazingly, this virile young man is single!!! This Cassanova is out on the prowl and is ready to tame any shrew, cougar, tiger, lioness that crosses his path. What are you ladies waiting for? Pounce on him now before someone else does...in fact, I hear Ceez was calling him a "FILF"! (I as in Ceez, not as in me...did that make sense?) Come check him out at a Space Dragon practice near you! I also hear he also spends his free time helping those festival teams out there....

Important Dates in July:
7/2 : Jimmy Dinh and Yilin (Hsu) Wentlandt's Birthdays
7/3 : AJ Chan's Birthday
7/4 : US independance Day
7/13: Barry George's Birthday

Happy Birthday Jimmy and Yi!

Notes from SCDBA Captains Meeting

A few important notes from the SoCal Dragon Boat Association Captain's Meeting this past Sat:

1) During practice, we must ensure that we stay on the right of the mid-line buoys at all times. Just as we wouldn't drive our cars on the wrong side of the street, boaters cannot violate this fundamental rule. Stay to the right.

2) In obvious conjunction w/ #1 above - no cutting corners around turns.
Especially in front of the Yachting Center. Stay to the right.

3) We must continue to proceed in a counter-clock wise manner around the island upon departing Mother's Beach. Part of the reason to do this is to go in an opposite direction as the Rowers in the community, who proceed in a clock-wise manner. This will help minimize congestion in lanes.

4) No lingering or multi-boat racing in the waters in front of and around Mother's Beach, to minimize congestion & allow other boaters ability to easily dock/un-dock.

5) ALL members - especially steers - must stay familiarized & compliant w/ Boating Rules.
Review here.

6) ALL members, please spend ~10 minutes to review the associations DB orientation video here:




7) LB Festival Teams have begun practicing in preparation for the LB tournament (Aug 1, 2). Remember that we also started as a festival team many years ago. Please show them plenty of friendly Space Dragons Love and lend a helping hand where ever appropriate. They represent the essential continual growth of our community & the sport. Some of our vets will also be helping coach / steer some teams!

8) Complementary steering clinic will be held Sat July 11, 1pm. Anyone interested in learning to steer / becoming certified should attend. Let Wade know if you are attending.

9) Boat maintenance will be held in August, after the tourney. Obviously important - thanks in advance for your participation.

Additional notes to be announced @ practice.

Let's continue to do our best to stay compliant with the important rules that help ensure safety & our ongoing cooperation w/ the greater community.

Thanks,
W

Want to know what happened on the Girl's Weekend Getaway?

Tapas and wine before noon - $30

Vineyard hopping in the bright hot sun and trying out enough wine to know what I don't like - $20+

Bratworst, chocolate-tini, niblets of food and a huge appetite - $15

Dinner at a vineyard garden while watching the sunset with live music - $30

Full day spa usage, unlimited mud bath, refreshing mineral water - $45

Picnic away from the crowd in our bikinis - $10

Bonding with the ravishing SD ladies, getting to see their girlie sides, and learning various gossip about our STUDLY SD men - Priceless.

Long Beach is coming up!!! What are YOU doing to get ready?

SD Digest and Calling all Equipment owners...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dearest Space Dragons,
Big Long Beach is ONLY 4 weeks away!! Space Dragons, we will need your help to make our teammates and our guests have a great tournament experience.

Last year, we did a great job hosting Ripple Effect, our sister/brother team from the bay area. We are hosting them again. What that means is we will need to provide paddler comforts for approximately 100 paddlers.

At the last tournament, the organizers provided tents for all the teams. But that was because the nationals was being held at Long Beach. We are not sure if they are this year. Our scouts will be contacting tournament officials to find out if we have to provide our own shade this year. If we do, have to provide our own shade for our camp(s), ....that means we will need EZ-Ups!!

To give you an idea, it took 8 to 9 EZ ups to shade 50 or so paddlers in Tempe and Baby Long Beach. We know of 10 or 11 tents we can get our hands on from our esteemed teammates. We need more!!!

Ripple Effect will be hosting us again when we go to San Francisco. Last year they had quite a spread for us. They did a wonderful job hosting us. Perhaps they did a great job because we showed them SD hospitality first!!! We can show them again…that the Space Dragons are gracious hosts.

If you folks have or can get your hands on any of the equipment below from your parents, neighbors, relatives or friends, please let me know.
What we will need are:
Ez Ups!!!
Extra beach chairs
Coolers
Water Dispensers
Tables
Food Warmers or Shaffers etc. for the Pot Luck Extravaganza on Saturday.

I hope you all are continuing to show up to practice and doing your workouts at home. It'll be a great tournament with loads of fun and racing!!!

If you have any questions, please contact me (...or Denise!! : D )

Thanks,
Ceez

P.S. I forgot to thank all those who helped with the lending, settting up and transporting of equipment for the Baby Long Beach Tournament. Thank you all for your time and efforts.

*********************************************************
Big LB tourney is 4 weeks away (Aug 1 & 2).
What are YOU doing to get ready?
Train hard.

Below is the current LB Roster:
Review & let us know ASAP if we are missing anyone
We have space for more paddlers - especially men!
Deadline to sign-up or withdraw = July 12th (Sun)

RAVISHING LADIES (26)
Blanca
Deej
Diane
Em
Felicia Chanco
Grace
Jackie
Janet
Jen Touye
Jen Zhao
Joanne
Karen
Kat
Kathy Wells
Liz Mesa
Marina
Mary
Mic Miller
Michelle Holiman
Pearl
Sammi
Susan
Susie
Tammy
Tran
Zoe

STUDLY DUDES (35)
AJ (mr croissantwich)
Brian (post-race COL hydration provider)
Ceez (master muhfugger)
Chiu (Chew Macka)
Curt (mr IR)
David Knight (Paparazzi Pirate)
David Lui (Lil Lui)
Devant (Golden Arches)
Dominic (DOMINATOR)
Dwayne (Dwayneswoopsinfortherescue!)
Eman (E)
Garret (catch me a fish please)
James (bring us home snacks from Japan & Taiwan please)
Jason (Mr Cougar, Black Eye Victim #2)
Jeremy C (BJ)
Jeremy S (CJ)
Jim (Renaissance Man)
Joe (Lazy & Mean)
Kameron (Black Eye Victim #1)
Kim (Goal=don'tmissaraceheat)
Kevin (Kmak)
Kurt (Ripple Power 1)
Lewis (Bolo Yeung)
Marty (incredible shrinking Martin)
Pat (Ripple Power 2)
Paul (don't forget your PFD!)
Phil (the animale)
Rick - Masters only (Capt Ikemoto)
Rico (suave)
Robert (mr. pink drink)
Rod (pelvis thruster)
Roger (gonna get devirginized)
Scott (too hottie)
Tom (turtle)
Vernon (physical specimen)
Wade (Black Eye delivery service)


STEERING CLINIC: Sat, July 11th, 1pm
no cost, provided by association
required for certification
email Space Dragons gmail accnt if you plan on attending

SAN FRANCISCO: Sep 26 & 27
Sign up now!
Please update Evite with lodging and traveling plans
Team Hotel SOLD OUT - if you need a room, contact Wade wade (AT) spacedragons (dot) org
Also looking for more crew, especially men

LAKE LAS VEGAS: Oct 10
Gorgeous venue for a fun-filled 1-day tournament
RSVP via Evite

YARD SALE #2
To be held in August
Start setting aside contributions now! Thank you!

Much love,
Pearl, Tran, Wade

*********************************************************

Paddler Spotlight - Jackie!

Sorry for the late post but blame her partner who still has not sent me his questionaire after 1 month *AHEM* So some of this may seem a bit outdated...

Hometown?
Jackie:
Irvine, I guess. But my family spent a long time in Apple Valley, whee!

Birthday?
Jackie:
Tactical move, I ain't fallin for it. - Good thing Galen knows it's: 6/3

Favorite Food(s)?
Jackie:
Tomatoes! Which points naturally to Italian food when it contains tomato sauce. I also love most of your traditional Japanese foods - sashimi, udon soup, seaweed, butakim... Oh yeah, and meat. And salads, especially when they contain meat. Don't like most fried foods.

How long have you been paddling for?
Jackie:
About 2 years

Why do you paddle?
Jackie:
I love the Space Dragons! Being with the team is what pushes me out of bed in the morning. I also love playing in the water, especially when I don't get dunked!

Are you a better Paddler when you are Happy or Angry?
Jackie:
When I am Focused. Sometimes anger helps, but it is not reliable. Happiness does not help me paddle better.

Favorite or notable Space Dragon moment(s)?
Jackie:
Beating [mean teams] in one of our mixed races. Making Joe cry after tournaments

How do you prepare yourself for a Race?
Jackie:
Shake my body out, relax, think about things we've practiced, review any snitches I've been having with form.

Any hobbies, activities, interests outside of paddling?
Jackie:
Climbing, snowboarding, hockey (until it broke me)... I'll be back! I also love to read (before bed is nice) and eat yummy food.

Any advice for new Paddlers?
Jackie:
Listen to the coaches, and have fun. You've picked the best team in Long Beach! =)

Paddling-wise, any particular goals for yourself or the team?
Jackie:
Guts and glory race in Alcan - let's do it! One of my other team goals is already there, which is make the blue boat competitive with the red boat. =) Awesome job, guys!! The devotion and discipline from everyone on the team is really paying off.

Personally, I'd like to test and make it onto the national team one year.

If you could change one thing about the Team, what would it be?
Jackie:
Make everyone live closer together so we could hang out more. =)

Favorite part about being a Space Dragon?
Jackie:
The respect and love that everyone shows each other. It's a rare thing.

You have a single brother or sister. What Space Dragon would you consider hooking them up with?
Jackie:
IF I had a single brother, I'd hook him up with Joanne.

IF I had a single sister, I'd hook her up with Charlie.

Most interesting character you've met through the team?
Jackie:
AJ, you weirdo.

I have to say, though, I really love our coaches. They are so instrumental in keeping our team as fun, friendly, open and loving as it is. And they do such a good job! <3>

Any interesting facts about yourself - or secrets that you want to divulge?
Jackie:
I only have 2+2 pinkies.

Who got you into Space dragons/Dragonboating?
Jackie:
Emily. But credit goes to Robert, because he kept talking to me about dragonboating at work. =)

How did you meet him/her?
Jackie:
We're um, sorority sisters. Har har har.

Off to the Spa this weekend? How about some wine tasting?

You'd likely run into one of our lovely ladies who are off to enjoy their well deserved time away from the stinky boys.

Meanwhile, Joe 2.0, Head Muhfugger, and Eye-smoocher will be holding practice on SUNDAY 6/28. We're only 5 weekends away from Big LB and one of them weeks is 4th of July weekend. The need to recruit is now. Bring them all out, get them to enjoy the sport this weekend then whack them when Joe and Emily are back.

Ohh as an added benefit, Coach Denise "my-arm-has-fallen-off-but-Im-still- coming-out-to-coach" and Coach Janice "I-work-odd-hours-and-get-no-weekends-off-but-Im-still- coming-out-to-coach" will be there this Sunday.

I hope the ladies will enjoy their mani-pedis, facials, and other non-testosterone related activities as we sweat and toil away.

Everyone else will just have to deal with free popcorn or BOGO jamba juice.

http://www.moviewatcher.com/servlet/user-controller/coupon?coupon=mwpopcorn

http://www.summerblissisback.com/eb3/sbbg.html

Settling back in...

Trying to get back into the swing of things after an awesome weekend...

Starting with - the digest!

As a reminder for those of you that need to....did you remember to do your foreign travel debrief?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NO PRACTICE Saturday 6/27.
Practice is back on starting Sunday 6/28.

TEAM JERSEY
Deadline: this SUNDAY 6/28
Order in time for Long Beach Tournament
Styles ($): Short sleeve ($40), Long Sleeve ($45), Sleeveless ($35), Women's Tank ($30)
Prices are high estimates, subject to change
Email Tran with style, quantity and size

Also available Misc Team Wear
Old jersey for trading: $25 for short sleeve & sleeveless; $28 for long sleeve
T-shirt, tank, sleeveless, white, $15 each
Long sleeve t-shirt, white, $20
Sweats, ash gray: pull-over hoodie ($25); zip-front hoodie ($35)
email Pearl with style, quantity and size

LONG BEACH: Aug 1 & 2
It is only 4 weeks away
Sign up via Evite if you have not already done so
Still looking for more crew, especially men

SAN FRANCISCO: Sep 26 & 27
Sign up now!
Please update Evite with lodging and traveling plans
Also looking for more crew, especially men

LAKE LAS VEGAS: Oct 10
Gorgeous venue for a fun-filled 1-day tournament
RSVP via Evite

FINANCES:
See the sent excel file for your payment status (not updated to include payments sent directly to Dave McPherson)
Highlighted cells mean you have not paid!
Make checks payable to Space Dragons

FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DRAGON BOAT CLUB:
If anyone is interested, the association is looking for 2 new trainees for the starting dock for Long Beach Tournament, please reply to the SD email address if interested

Soles4Souls- from Step:
Thank you all so much for donating your shoes to the Soles4Souls charity. With your help, I have collected nearly 250 pairs! Thank you especially to Dr. Chen for permitting me to open this up to the dragon boat community, Mary Melton, LARD, and Space Dragons. I will be mailing out my last batch of donations sometime mid-July.If you still have shoes, please email me as I will be out of the country until July. If, in the future, you would like to continue to support the charity, you may personally mail your shoes to their Las Vegas warehouse. Thanks again for all your support!

Much Love,
-- Pearl, Tran, Wade

Results & Media from Alcan!

Great times in Vancouver! Mission accomplished - great job all!

Big thanks to Phat Phish for hosting us & the race organizers for a wonderful weekend!

Check back later for full recap courtesy of Kam.

For now ...

Click here for the official race results.

And some media via the online DB community ...

Pearl & Tina clearly enjoying the ride during Red's 1st turn in the 2000m Guts & Glory
(reserved for top 16 mixed teams)
Taken by superduper

Beautiful shot of the course: Comp B Final, Red is 2nd boat from the right.

Taken by Blizzy





Blue's finish in Rec A Consolation - edged out from 1st by a dragon head.
Posted by alcanranker

Comp B Final Video - Red in lane 7
Posted by Dragonboatwest




Guts & Glory Finish Line Video Footage - Red in Blue Boat 2 (2nd crossing line)
Posted by gingersnaps







Guts & Glory 1000m turn - Red in Blue Boat 2 (1st boat shown in video)
Check out Pemberton @ 25 seconds into the video. Wow.
Posted by alcanranker

Follow along on our Vancouver journey

For our loyal friends & fellow Space Dragons that aren't making the trip,
follow along our journey via twitter:

https://twitter.com/spacedragonsdb

Will do our best to keep you informed of our progress.
Wish us luck!