The 2008 Dragons Abreast Hospital Dragon Boat Challenge - Frequently Asked Questions

This is a fun race. It is not a requirement to have ever paddled in a dragon boat prior to the safety/paddling instruction/training session. At the practice session we will teach you the basics. It is very easy to learn basic competency in dragon boating. The race will be 200m - from under the Pyrmont Bridge towards Tumbalong Park. There will be six teams per heat and then a final. Any group of 20 medical and/or health professionals may make up a team. Dragons Abreast will supply drummers and Fully Accredited Sweeps for all teams. Once 20 paddlers have registered for a particular team, that team will be confirmed in the race and allocated one of the race slots in the program. Race slots will be allocated on a first come/first served basis until the race is full. Where a complete team of 20 paddlers cannot be achieved from a particular hospital, composite teams will be formed. Paddlers who register without nominating a particular team will be accommodated in a composite team. Each team will have a Dragons Abreast Hospital Team Manager to communicate updates and information to the Hospital Team Captain (one of your paddlers). Each Hospital Team Captain can then communicate race information to the team members. Any paddler who cannot swim 50 metres lightly clothed is required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) when on the water and must make this notation when registering for the race. Loan PFDs will be available for paddlers who have indicated their need for one. Once donations are registered they are not refundable, however you may arrange a substitute paddler if you notify your DA Team Manager. Entry in the Dragons Abreast Hospital Dragon Boat Challenge is gained via a donation of $60 or more to Dragons Abreast Australia, which is a registered charity. All donations over $2 to Dragons Abreast Australia are tax-deductible. Entry fees, insurances, practice session costs, paddles, (and PFDs for those who cannot swim 50 metres lightly clothed) will be provided by Dragons Abreast. Contact your DA Hospital Team Manager to arrange. In cases where a single payment is received for a whole team a single receipt will be issued to that payee. The monies raised by this race will go towards Dragons Abreast Australia's insurance costs, allowing more women to have access to the dragon boating experience around the country. All team members are requested to attend their team's training/safety session. This ensures that all team members are advised of safety issues relating to participation in the race and to the race venue. Individual paddlers who have paddled in this race in previous years but who are unable to attend the training session agree that they have been apprised of all relevant safety issues. Teams which have trained together prior to the race will invariably paddle more effectively as a team in a race. Additional training sessions can be arranged upon request for extra-keen crews however charges will be incurred (which can be made via donation). Every participant will be covered by personal accident insurance offered by DBNSW Inc. Parking is very limited at Bank Street so car-pooling is strongly advised. Some metered parking is available in surrounding streets and parking is also available in the Sydney Fish Market. There is a light rail stop at the Fish Market, approx 200m from the practice venue. Comfortable clothing which can get wet - eg shorts and Tshirt with non-slip shoes which can get wet. Also wear sunscreen. A plastic bottle of drinking water and some dry clothes and shoes to go home in as sometimes clothes get wet from splashing. Every effort will be made to complete the practice session within two hours of commencement. Again, water to drink, plenty of sunscreen plus comfortable clothes which can get wet. Teams may choose to race in a team shirt, cap or uniform for clearer identification. DO NOT BRING any valuables unless you also bring a friend or family to guard them while you are on the water. No responsibility will be taken by the organizers for paddlers' personal possessions.