$300 for the year - this can be paid in instalments. The first instalment (non-refundable) of $150 is due upon registration for insurance. All fees for the season are paid by the first regatta. Arrangements can be made with the treasurer to supply post-dated cheques throughout the season if that makes it possible for you to join the team.
2. What do the fees cover?
- Certified dragonboat coach providing twice weekly coaching (team and individual feedback)
- Insurance
- Regatta entry fees
- Boat maintenance and rentals
We have a volunteer executive that is elected each year. They are all current members of the team with at least 2 years of paddling experience with Water Warriors. We have co-captains who arrange the details of coaching, scheduling and regatta administration. We also have a treasurer, secretary, fundraising co-ordinator and member-at-large. These members take minutes, communicate with the team, organize fundraising, manage team property (PFDs, team shirts) and recruit new paddlers as required.
4. What if I'm not as fit as I'd like to be?
Water Warriors is committed to empowering women no matter what your fitness level is. You can be guaranteed that as you continue to paddle your fitness level will improve.
5. What does it mean that Water Warriors is a recreational team?
There are two categories of teams that compete at regattas: Recreational and Competitive
We are in the recreational category. It does not mean that we aren't determined to win!
It means that we don't have fitness goals that you must meet in order to join the team. There are no try-outs. Everyone who wants to join is welcomed. We do not leave people out based on their capacity to paddle. It also means that we compete with our whole hearts and wills.
Competitive teams are another category at regattas and they are aiming for national and international competition. Sudden Impact has a mixed competitive team: SI Black - Mixed (men and women), there are try-outs and fitness goals that you must meet to make the team.
6. How many practices do I need to attend?
We would never expect our team members to make it to every practice. However, we can't take the 3,000 lb boat out with less than 12 paddlers at a practice. It's in everyone's best interest (health and team) to come to as many practices as possible. Every member of the team puts their attendance into an online calendar so we know who to expect at each practice. If there is a family or medical emergency within 24 hours of the practice, you can let us know you won't be at the practice. Otherwise, we rely on the information in the online calendar.
7. What equipment do I need?
If needed, we supply a paddle and PFD. You will need athletic wear (not cotton), a waterproof jacket and a water bottle. You may also want weatherproof pants during the rainy season. You can wear polyester pants (yoga style), but we don't recommend cotton or jeans. You will get wet during the rainy season. You don't usually get wet in the summer season, although we like to take a dip in the lake once the sun is out.
Most of the long-time paddlers invest in purchasing their own gloves (approx. $30), PFD (approx. $140) and paddle (approx. $50). All can be purchased at Western Canoe and Kayak (Abbotsford) or MEC (Vancouver and online). Our team PFD color is "mango". If you are planning to purchase your own, make sure you buy in our team color. Take your time with purchasing equipment and ask some of the women who have been paddling for a few seasons about their choices of equipment to see what will work best for you.
We recommend gloves in the early part of the season as the water is cold. If you don't own paddling gloves, you can make your own with cheap dollar store gloves covered by dishwashing rubber gloves. You may want gloves throughout the season to increase your grip on the paddle. This is a personal preference.
8. What does it cost to go to the regattas?
The regatta entry fee for the team is covered through our team fees. You'll only have to pay your own expenses for the day. When the regatta is only one day, we bring food for ourselves and food to share with the rest of the team. For "away" regattas (2 days), you cover the cost of travel, meals and hotel. Learn more about regattas.
9. What does the coach do?
Our coach is an experienced paddler and a certified dragonboat coach who will provide technical training, tactical skills and fitness training for the team.
10. How many women are on the team?
There are 22 paddlers in the boat when we compete - 20 paddlers, one caller (front) and one steersperson (back). There are 30 spots on the team. We need 12 women in the boat to take the boat out for practice.
11. Are there any other obligations other than practicing and regattas?
We do some fundraising for the team each year. We raise about $4500 each year through fundraising. Some of this is raised by volunteering at events held at Heritage Park. Other funds are raised through pub nights. In the past, our fundraising has enabled us to purchase team shirts, purchase matching PFDs, host a team coaching afternoon with an Olympian paddler/coach and provide steers-training for our steersperson.
12. What is the age limit?
Women on the team have to be 18 years old to compete in the regattas. There is no upper limit in terms of age. We have enjoyed team members in their 60's and 70's.
13. Can I bring a friend?
Yes! If your friend is a woman, she is welcome to come try out paddling with you at the beginning of the season. Throughout the season, you can ask the captain if you can bring a friend to drop-in. It is sometimes difficult for a novice paddler to join us in the middle of the season as we are all becoming very strong and in-sync, so it's best to ask the captain if it's a good time for someone new to try out the sport.
14. What do I do if I want to join?
Come to try out paddling with us and let us know you want to join.
More information about joining the team.
You will sign a team registration form, an insurance waiver and provide your first installment of fees in order to join the team.
15. What days do I need to "book off" so that I can make sure I can be a part of the regattas?
We are planning on competing 6 times this year - check out the dates, click here.
16. What if I can't swim or I'm scared of the water?
There have been many women on the Water Warriors over the years who have faced their fear of water by joining the team. Although the boat can tip, we have NEVER tipped. We all wear PFDs for safety and practice "man overboard" drills during the season so we know what to do in the event that someone ends up in the water. There are no requirements that you are a swimmer in order to be a paddler. At every practice we identify the emergency response team members...our trained ER nurses.
At the regattas, there is a safety boat (motor boat) that moves alongside the racing dragonboats. This is the boat that will be used to rescue people if paddlers are overboard. Boats don't tip when they are racing - they may tip if there is a rogue wave, a novice steersperson, or a collision. This is extremely rare.
17. How do I let the team know if I can't make it to a practice?
We have an online calendar that we use to let the captains know if we will be at a practice. We require notice 24 hours prior to the practice so that we can plan the seat arrangements and the practice plan. We need a minimum of 12 women to take the boat out on the lake, but prefer a full boat at every practice. It is an expectation that all members of the team will consistently provide their practice schedule to the captains. We will help you to learn how to use the online calendar if that is new to you. If there is an emergency and you won't make it to practice within 24 hours of the practice, you will phone one of the captains and let them know about your absence.
18. What can I expect in terms of fitness gains?
Dragon boating is a sport of both fitness and finesse. We have multiple levels of fitness on the boat and each woman is challenged to increase her fitness by increasing technical ability as well as team synchronicity. In order to execute the best technical skill, there is a necessary increase in strength, endurance, and flexibility. This is an entirely different sport than jogging or aerobics - it is challenging for fit individuals AND those who aren't as fit all at the same time, making it extremely unique.
19. How did this team start?
Inspired Beginnings - The Water Warriors Dragon Boat all women team was the first of its kind in the Fraser Valley. It originated when Cheryl Bublitz decided to start something that would empower women. By February 2001, she had collected a group of women with the interest and energy needed for this idea. The first practices were held in a church basement, with the team sitting on chairs, two by two, one behind another, using broom handles for paddles. It is not hard to imagine the excitement when the team eventually got into a REAL dragon boat the following month. From March 2001 on, the team practiced using the Lotus Club boats, driving to and from their location in Burnaby every week for the next two years.
The Growth of the Sport
In 2002, inspired by the Water Warriors’ enthusiasm and dedication, another two (mixed) teams formed in Chilliwack. These teams’ zeal and hard work led to the formation of the Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Club and their acquisition of two dragon boats moored at Harrison Lake. In 2003, the Water Warriors joined the F.V.D.B. Club and used their facilities. That same year, another all women’s team formed and they purchased a boat that they moored at Cultus Lake. The Water Warriors switched practices to Cultus Lake in 2005 and became the fifth all women’s team practicing there. In 2012, the Water Warriors joined the Sudden Impact Paddling Club as the only all-women's recreational team under their banner.
Accomplishments
Over the past years we have won gold, silver, and bronze medals, and a variety of ribbons. We have come home from every regatta with a sense of pride and accomplishment, not to mention memories to last a lifetime.
Special Thanks:
Denise Last - 2016 coach who brought our team together in unity and enhanced each paddler's technical skill
Mike Vichon and George Shaw - 2015 coaches/steers
Sharon Simpson - 2014 coach for her inspiration and contagious laughter
Pam Jones - 2011/12 coach who took us into new technical and tactical skills
Shelly Hayes - long-time coach and founding member of the Water Warriors
Krista Petrie - for hundreds of professional photos taken of the team, our antics and our competitions
Krista Petrie Photography: kryssee@gmail.com
Cheryl B - the woman who had the brain-wave to start a dragonboat team with a group of friends practicing in a church basement with brooms
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