Hello InspirASIAN Dragons (formerly APCA Dragons) & prospective team members!
It's that time of the year for Dragon Boating and we are back again for the 2nd year in a row after Covid.
We would like to get count of people who can participate this year, so I am sending this out to folks on my list before I send it out as company-wide distribution. (I also have general info for our new paddlers below)
Please email team captain (Thomas Yoo) at inspirASIANdragons@outlook.com if you can make it to our practices and races for this year. Just like last year, the race will be only 1-day event instead of a normal 2-day event.
Most important date to remember is the race day July 29, 2023.
You MUST be available for the full day.
You do not have to attend all practices but are strongly encouraged. My rule is that one can miss up to 2 practices, but you can make it up with our sister team SPACE DRAGONS’ practice.
All new beginning paddlers must attend first and/or second practice sessions to learn the basics. I recommend that you come early so you have time to find the parking and come to the meeting location.
Also, if you want to participate in InspirASIAN Dragons but don't want to paddle then we do have non-paddling position for you, such as drummer, logistics manager, equipment manager and photographer/videographer.
Practice Times: (Tentative)
6/03/2023 10:00am-12:30pm (beginners)
6/10/2023 10:00am-12:30pm (beginners)
6/17/2023 10:30am-12:30pm
6/24/2023 10:30am-12:30pm
7/08/2023 10:30am-12:30pm
7/15/2023 10:30am-12:30pm
7/22/2023 10:30am-1:00pm (go over race logistics)
Saturday 7/29/2022 7:00am - 5:00pm (approximate time frame)
Includes all practices, boot camps, race fee, coaching, food/water during the race
If you volunteer for a non-paddling position in addition to paddling, then your fee will be waived as well. (Drummer/Caller, Steer, Equipment Manager, Secretary, Steer, Photographer)
We won’t start collecting until after first 2 practices for those who just wants to try out.
For AT&T Employees: There are other options.
If you are an AT&T employee, you can earn volunteer rewards from Benevity to pay for your dragon boat fees.
Please contact me if you have any questions and look for latest info in our blog http://apcadragons.blogspot.com, Facebook: APCA Dragons and on Twitter: APCA_Dragons.
If you are receiving this email and you want to be off this distribution list, then please let me know.
InspirASIAN Dragons Captain & Coach
Southern California Chapter Board
Dragon Boat racing is an ancient Chinese tradition that is popular internationally to this day. It involves keen coordination, focus, and strength.
Join the InspirASIAN Dragon Boat team for fun, health, and networking because Your Health Matters. We are looking for paddlers and hospitality crew from June 3 through July 29, 2023.
For additional information, contact team captain/coach, Thomas Yoo at inspirASIANdragons@outlook.com. We will provide PFD (lifejacket) and a paddle, but we do recommend getting your own PFD if possible. Paddlers usually wear swimsuits underneath their regular clothes but any workout clothes that can get wet is fine. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
We will only have limited practices for the 2023 Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival (https://www.lbdragonboat.com/) so I hope you can make to all practices plus both race days. Video on the main page has InspirASIAN at 0:59 mark.
This will be a fun & exciting opportunity if you haven't experienced the race before.
(Waivers are not ready yet but will be online before the first practice)
Items to bring for practice:
Required- Signed ICEA & SCDBC Waiver form (I will bring some extra at practice). This is required before you get on the boat. This can be downloaded from Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival website at https://www.lbdragonboat.com/forms.php , click on Festival Participant Waiver Form.
Recommended- sunscreen (sun protection), sunglasses (eye protection), hat (additional sun protection), water (it's a workout), towel (to dry yourself since you'll get wet), quarters (if parking at meter lot)
Optional- folding chair (if you want comfortable place to sit), change of clothes (if you want to get out of wet clothes), sandals/aqua shoes (some folks like it barefoot, other sandals, I like the aqua socks), snacks (especially if you didn't have time for breakfast), water gloves (it's nice to have them to grab on to the paddle)
Our first practice for the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival race will be on Saturday 6/3/2023 Time: 10:00am at the Mother Beach/Marine Park, Long Beach. When using your GPS, type-in 5739 Appian Way, Long Beach, CA 90803, which is about where the entrance to the meter parking is. This is a metered parking lot, and the parking fee is enforced starting at 8:00am. (15 min = 25 cents) There is also a free parking area which is linked below on Google map along with our meeting location at the park. This is roughly our meeting spot at the park on page 1. The free parking area (Boy Scout Parking) is shown on page 2: click here.
Paddlers must be able to attend at least 4 practice sessions beginning June 3 through July 22, 2023 (Saturdays) and MUST attend full day of the festival on Saturday July 29, 2023. Paddlers will be asked to sign a waiver. COVID vaccination proof may be required to participate. Our practice time varies. Normal start time is between 9:00am to 9:30am and end time is between 10:45am to 11:30am. Festival times are between 7:00am to 5:00pm.
For new paddlers, it is very important for you to attend the first 2 practices since we'll be going over the basics.
After certain practices, we may have boot camp type of workout session to be announced later.
Practices, boot camp, and workout homework will all be counted toward “point” to win the participation award to be awarded at the race.
I recommend that new paddlers come on time so that we can go over the dragon boat basics. You can also follow us on Facebook APCA Dragons and/or twitter @APCA_Dragons and/or blog at http://apcadragons.blogspot.com/
Thank you and let's have fun!
We hope to see you out on the water.
Thomas Yoo
InspirASIAN Dragon Boat Team
ERG at AT&T
