GENERAL INFORMATION FOR DRAGONS ABREAST PARTICIPANTS AT DARLING HARBOUR CHINESE NEW YEAR RACES
Darling Harbour CNY races are a highlight of the dragon boating calendar – a fun and
festive environment - and a wonderful change to fly the flag for Dragons Abreast and
truly raise breast cancer awareness amongst a very diverse range of people as this is
one event that has lots of general public spectators!
This is a very busy weekend and there is much to see and do.
Please take the time to
read this information and absorb – it will make your trip so much more pleasant. (Click on the map at right to enlarge.)
Dragon Boats NSW has a ZERO tolerance when it comes to alcohol, anyone of your team
members caught drinking during the event the ENTIRE team will be disqualified.
Please note that it is strictly prohibited by the terms of the agreement with Sydney
Harbour Foreshore Authority, DBNSW, City of Sydney and Dragons Abreast Australia to
sell anything.
On Saturday some of our NSW member groups will be racing in the sports category (including
mixed teams with supporter members) –no interstate teams
are permitted.
Darling Harbour is an extremely busy and noisy environment, both on and off the water.
There is ample opportunity for bags to disappear – so you need to be very vigilant.
Do not bring valuables or lots of cash – there is no one to watch the bags and things
regularly get stolen.
SUNDAY RACES
There are plenty of new friends to be made!
If you have a name badge please wear it as this makes it so much easier for everyone as
in the sea of faces to meet it is easy to forget names and the badges are a big help!
Please aim to arrive absolutely by no later than 7.30 am as this will allow you time to get
your bearing and say hello to old friends and meet some new ones before heading off to
marshalling. There are several places where you can buy your shot of caffeine for the
day. Toilets are located close by too.
It is vitally important that you are aware of:
The time that your team is paddling and the event number
Know when and where you should meet your team
Be at the designated meeting spot at the agreed time
Marshall at least half an hour before your race time
Your team captain or manager will provide the above information to you and will have a
copy of the race draw. Please note that while the regatta may run to time, it is equally
likely to run early or late, depending on conditions on the day, so marshalling is always
three events ahead of your event ie if your event is #25 you will need to be marshalling
when # 22 is happening.
LOADING THE BOATS
Boats are loaded side on and from floating pontoons. You need to step down into the
boat. Boat handlers are there to help, but please remember to look out for your seat
buddy and other team mates.
ITEMS YOU NEED TO BRING
PFD (personal flotation device) bring your own if you would like to wear one
Appropriate headwear - either DAA cap, bucket hat or your own group's.
Suitable footwear - with grip and flexibility. Bare feet are not permitted
Sunscreen
Lots of water to drink
We suggest a bum bag or such to pop your valuables in and have with you at all times. It
is a good idea to label clothing as all pink stuff tends to look the same and we always
have a bundle of ‘extra’ lost property at the end of the day.
FLOWERS ON THE WATER CEREMONY
This takes place immediately following the Dragons Abreast Final.
The ceremony takes on an added significance in Darling Harbour as the silence is just
amazing considering it has been so noisy only moments before. You can read about this
special ceremony in our book A Dragon’s Tale – available by order from DAA and limited
copies on sale at Darling Harbour.
There will be a commentary from the shore whilst the boats line into positions. Please
keep quiet and follow instructions from your sweep and drummer only. No one else
should be talking.
The commentator will request 1 minutes silence as soon as all boats are in position. It is
at this point that you toss the beautiful flower petals into the water you then maintain
silence for the Minute. The petals are generously donated by Roses Only.
On the signal from the lead boat the sweeps will call you into paddles up and take the
boats back to shore. Use a paddle/tap stroke as the boats break formation and paddle
back to the pontoons.
Get out of the boats and off the loading docks immediately.
DO NOT STOP AND HUG
EACH OTHER!!! You can hug once off the dock.
Move to the Guard of Honour which the supporters will have started and flow out onto
the pavement (but look out for the little train!). For those who have not done a guard of
honor it is customary to join on at the end after you have walked through with your
paddles forming the arch.
For those who have never experienced this ceremony it is something very special. It is
the essence of what Dragons Abreast Australia stands for and is our signature
ceremony that is only performed on very special occasions.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT DRAGONS ABREAST
It is quite common for members of the public to stop you and ask what you are all about – seeing as we make quite a spectacle!
Please feel free to tell your own little story (what you feel comfortable sharing) and let
them know what Dragons Abreast means to you, how your life has been changed by being
a part of DAA. Mention the website and also suggest they visit the information booth
to pick up a leaflet..
Remember – this is about flying the breast cancer flag –
WE ARE WINNERS – WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES HERE TO PADDLE!!
Our race is against breast cancer, not each other!
