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Survivor Dragon Boat: IDBF vs. ICF
ICF rejects dragon boat. IDBF grows dragon boat. ICF takes a second look.
Most of you know the story.
1995: ICF rejects dragon boat. IDBF grows dragon boat. ICF takes a second look. IDBF says “hands off”. ICF says “mind your own business, this is a canoe”. IDBF says “no it’s not and GAISF now says so”. ICF says “we don’t care, we’re still doing it”… 2009…. Blah, blah, blah…
As with most controversy involving sports organizations there is an initial and ongoing tendency to play nice, embrace diplomacy and take the high road. It is sports after all; warring human-kind’s passive substitute for hand to hand combat in the streets.
Neither side of this debate wishes to be cast as the evil doer; the aggressor. The problem with this path is that the debate and all its unproductive side effects will linger on indefinitely.
This entire issue has been and is currently about who can keep up the game the longest.
Which side can secure the necessary alliances political and otherwise – Outwit!
Which side can continue to feed (finance) their respective offensive and defensive posture – Outlast!
Which side can the keep up the pace of a seemingly endless stream of argumentative documents dealing with this issue – Outplay!
Outwit, Outlast, Outplay… yes it’s a game but at the end of it all it is the athletes who decide with their votes. Not with slips of paper in a jar but with your past and continued commitment to participate in IDBF world championship regattas and other affiliated international competitions.
In one month’s time Prague will be host to over 2200 international dragon boat competitors along with hundreds of supporters, officials and fans of dragon boat.
In 2011 Tampa Bay will host not only the 2011 IDBF World Championships/Nations Cup but also the first PanAm Club Crew Championships. It will be a 10 day super bowl of dragon boat delivered to you by a city that knows how to host super bowls.
From my vantage point it seems the votes are already in.
Survivor Dragon Boat: It certainly looks like we have a winner.
Mike Kerkmann
Posted: 7/23/2009 12:19:26 PM
Great White North
577 Wellington St. West, 2nd Floor, Toronto, Ontario. M5V 1G3
Tel: (416) 962-8899 Fax: (416) 962-9300 Email: info@gwndragonboat.com
About Us
Dragon boat racing is the fastest growing water sport in the world. Helping to drive that expansion in North America is Great White North (GWN) Dragon Boat, the continent’s largest, full-service dragon boat racing company.
GWN Dragon Boat produces more than 40 events and festivals which raise millions of dollars for community and charitable partners. GWN offers start-to-finish event management services for your festival, corporate team-building experiences, social marketing initiatives, premier training camps, and equipment sales including IDBF Certified BuK Dragon Boats, Apex and Grey Owl paddles. Put simply, GWN is the one-stop shop for all things dragon boat. Our expertise is unequaled and our commitment to quality is unmatched.
GWN Dragon Boat Challenge
Combining the giving spirit with the spirit of competition can create tremendous results.
That’s the philosophy behind one of North America’s most popular festivals. The GWN Dragon Boat Challenge is a two-day festival that brings together 5,000 recreational and elite dragon boat athletes and thousands of spectators. Mark the date on the calendar, as this is the do not miss festival of the summer.
The event has moved to Marilyn Bell Park and now offers some of the best technical racing in North America. With over 200 teams expected to participate, it is the ultimate boating experience.
The Ultimate Corporate Experience
The corporate world shares many similarities with dragon boat racing. In both settings, the secret to success involves collaboration, communication, commitment and co-ordination. Without a doubt, the same characteristics that affect your company’s bottom line will also drive you to the finish line. Dragon boating is a fun team-building activity and a unique way to host clients. Participating in a dragon boat event can benefit your employees, co-workers and clients in numerous ways. Here are some examples:
- Dragon boating creates an inclusive environment – people all ages and fitness levels can participate
- The nature of dragon boat emphasizes unity and working together
- Driving toward the finish line renews energy, enthusiasm and motivation
- Paddlers communicate by cheering each other on
- Dragon Boat encourages leaders to move to the fore-front
- Completing a festival or training session develops a sense of pride and accomplishment among participants
- Twenty paddlers in one boat = increased camaraderie
You choose the location – Great White North will go anywhere in North America to create the ultimate corporate experience, from a one-hour session for 20 people to a full-day event for 4,000.
Get on board!
Looking for a Team or Paddler?
GWN wants to help you find a crew or find a paddler. If you are looking for a new crew member for your next festival or event, GWN can help. Check the "Find a Paddler" page today and fill your crew for the next festival or event.
