Dead Man's Burpee Challenge

Who says you've gotta have a whole lot of equipment at the ready for a great, intense workout that'll make you as ripped as this guy?...

The truth is, while we may sometimes be limited in time, space, motivation, energy, equipment or (insert excuse here)--you too can crunch in a solid workout that'll "push that wall" further towards your fitness goals.

So whilst perusing the good ole <( dot dot dot )> , I happened upon a swell fitness challenge called "The Dead Man's Burpee Challenge" (via bodyrock.tv) and decided to call us out on a little experiment and challenge.

THE CHALLENGE? SIMPLE:

Complete 100 burpees (or as close as you can get to 100) in 10 minutes and post your reps in the comments below (or on Spacebook). GO (space)!

SD Digest 6-29-11

Space Dragons,

 

1.  JERSEYS

• All jersey orders are due NOW, your order MUST be in Pearl's inbox by the time she gets back from practice!
• In your email is an attachment for the orders as of this morning; CHECK it carefully.  Email Pearl any changes NOW. 
• If you have not send in your order, email Pearl NOW: 
1. Type: team jersey or 10th year
2. Style: long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless (for the team jersey)
3. Quantity for each type and style
4. Size for each type and style, men's or women's size
5. If the new team jersey not ready in time, do you want to order the old-school jersey
• Jersey payment in cash or check, payable to Galen Liao, also due now
• Note that all old team jerseys may NOT be worn for races once the new ones come in

 2.  BAKE SALE -- this Sat 7/2

• Have you email Marina the item(s) you're bringing?
• All proceeds will help lower fees
• We need: bake items, non-bake items (drinks), volunteers to help set up, clean up and sell
• If you're bringing cake, brownies or bar cookies, please wrap your pieces individually for sanitary reasons
• If you're bringing cookies, you do not have to do so but it'd be greatly appreciated if you choose to do so
• Bring a chair and hang out while helping to sell!

 3.  BIG LONG BEACH -- 7/30 & 7/31

• It's just around the corner!  So PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
• Remember to fill out the practice attendance poll
• EVERYONE: check your Evite to make sure you have 1) RSVP'd; 2) your plan is still correct
• No Flake Rule enforced this Sun 7/3
• Race fee is $35, payable to Space Dragons
• List your pot-luck item on your Evite response for Saturday lunch

 4.  SAN FRANCISCO -- 9/17-19

• Check your Evite, make sure you've 1) RSVP'd; 2) listed your travel and lodging info; 3) your plans have not changed
• Did not make your reservation at the Mariott Marquis?  It is now sold out, overflow at the Courtyard down the street: $189 for 1 king, $199 for 2 queens
• Get your room NOW before the Courtyard sells out, too!
• Details on the Evite

 5.  MISC

• Beach clean up -- Sun 7/17 after practice & land workout
• SD Family Picnic -- date is changing to 8/28
• Lake Gregory -- RSVP to Evite
• Shanghai Race -- Sept 22-26
• Pearl has been asked to organize a Long Beach team to attend this race
• These are 10-men races, 6 of 10 paddlers must be of Chinese descent
• These will be the week following San Francisco
• Please let Pearl know if you are interested

-- Your Captains

SDWW kicking it up a notch!

We have 3 months left in the season (already 2/3 done!) and our two biggest tournaments coming up - Big LB and Treasure Island. It's time to kick it up a notch and close out the season strong!!



From now on the workouts will add a focus on more explosive exercises, so we're going to need a new toy - a medicine ball. We're going to start incorporating these next Tuesday (in the South Bay). Don't have/want one? That's okay, still come out!

Want to join in the fun? Email Devant if you're in Pasadena and Em if you're in the South Bay!

SD Digest 6-22-11

Space Dragons,
Congratulations to the Alcan Space Ripple crew!  Check out the results here.

1.  PRACTICE

• Hope everyone had a nice respite, it's now time to prep for the next tournament -- Big Long Beach!
• Practice resumes TONIGHT
• Have you filled out the attendance poll?  This weekend's poll closes tonight at 7 PM

2.  LONG BEACH -- 7/30-31

• We're 1 1/2 month away from our next tournament, it'll come up quickly
• Please RSVP via Evite
• Please check your RSVP on the Evite
• Please update your RSVP if things change
• New:
• No Flake Rule enforced July 3
• Tournament fee $35 payable to Space Dragons
• Tentative lunch plans: potluck on Saturday; either Lee's sandwiches or other catered food on Sunday ~$5/person
• Please list your potluck item on your Evite response!
• The SCDBC has asked that we help coach Mt. SAC college team, please reply if you are interested in helping out
  

3.  SAN FRANCISCO -- 9/17-19

• Want more Space Ripple love?  Join the San Francisco Treasure Island tournament
• Have you RSVP'd on the Evite yet?
• Did you make your hotel reservation?  Please update your RSVP with travel and lodging info
• Did not make your reservation at the Mariott Marquis?  It is now sold out, overflow at the Courtyard down the street: $189 for 1 king, $199 for 2 queens
• Get your room NOW before the Courtyard sells out, too!
• Details on the Evite

4.  JERSEYS

• The long awaited team jersey and 10th year jersey are about ready!
• Both jersey will be dye-sublimated (i.e. no silkscreen printing to clog up the breathable fabric), each will be $20
• Both jersey come in long sleeve, short sleeve and sleeveless
• We're now taking orders to have them ready for Big Long Beach
• Note that EVERYONE is required to purchase the new team jersey, 10th year commemorative jerseys are optional and may be worn for Saturday races
• Note that if the new team jersey will not be ready by Big Long Beach, we will order the old-school silkscreen jersey for those whom need/want them and the new team jersey will be deferred until 2012
  
• Please email Pearl your order with the following info:
• Type: team jersey or 10th year
• Style: long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless (for each type if you're ordering both the team jersey and the 10th year)
  
• Quantity for each type and style
• Size for each type and style
• If the new team jersey not ready in time, do you want to order the old-school jersey
• All orders must be in by COB next Wed 6/29

5.  SD LADIES NIGHT -- This Friday 6/24 @ 6 PM

• Wine and cheese @ Marina's, ladies ONLY, female companion of Space Dragons are welcome
• What to bring:
• a bottle of wine, cheese or appetizer
• games, movies, etc

6.  SD BAKE SALE -- Sat 7/2

• Let's wow the 4th of July crowd with our superb baking skillz!
• All fundraisers will help to lower fees for everyone, so let's all help!
• Need: bake items, non-bake items, volunteers to help set up, clean up and sell
• Email Marina on how you can help!

7.  LAKE GREGORY -- 8/20-21

• Date announced for Lake Gregory
• RSVP on the Evite

8.  OTHER EVENTS

• SD Family Picnic -- Sun 8/14
• SD Year-end Dinner -- Sat 12/3
• 2011 Shanghai International Dragonboat Race -- 9/22-26
  
• SCDBC is putting a team for this race
• 10-men boats, 6 paddlers must be of Chinese descent
• Want to know more?  Ask Jackie about the 2010 race
• Interested?  Reply to this email

 -- Your Captains

Vancouver 2011!

Vancouver video from James


Space Ripple Warrior Dragon Effect invades British Columbia, kicking a little ass along the way. Comprised of paddlers from Space Dragons (Los Angeles), Ripple Effect (San Francisco), and Dragon Warriors (San Francisco), the three crews find a way to find success in genders and mixed despite having little to no practice together beforehand.

And of course fun and hijinks ensue!



and the Guts and Glory race:

June 2011 OC-2 Water Testing Results!

Great job yesterday! The OC-2 testing results are up! Check them out here.

Don't stress if your time wasn't what you were hoping for compared to previous runs. The conditions were less favorable than in the past, especially in the early morning with zero wind and the ultra low tide.

Special thanks to all those who helped out, loading the boat, keeping time, steering, taking pictures and video, getting food for those who couldn't leave the dock, etc. It takes a lot of work to make this happen!

If you weren't able to test yesterday but still want to, please vote for which day works for you here. Preference will be given to those who notified the coaches BEFORE the test date that they could not make it.

Remeber, water testing is only one piece of the puzzle that determines what boat each person paddles on. The most important reasons to get on the OC-2? So you can track your own improvement and get individualized feedback on your technique (still to come)!

SD Digest 6/14/11

Space Dragons,

First and foremost, great freakin job in Vancouver!  Let's keep it up for Big Long Beach!

1.  PRACTICE Officially... for Wednesday (6/15), Saturday (6/18) and Sunday (6/19): NO PRACTICE! Take a well-deserved week off!  But be ready to get right back into butt kicking mode for Big Long Beach!  Alcan crew, take your well-deserved time and see you next week! Non-Alcan crew, we've been paddling and training non-stop since the beginning of the season too.  Overtraining is bad - week off!

Unofficially... if you don't want to take a week off, or perhaps you're already in butt kicking mode for Big Long Beach - "unofficial" practice will be held on Wednesday and Saturday (none on Sunday due to OC-2 testing).  What is unofficial practice, you ask? Well, the team is taking the week off. Thus, there will be no official attendance taken.  That also means captains and coaches will likely take the week off, so feel free to take a week off as well. 

But. if you would like to participate in Unofficial Practice, email ROD.  Otherwise, we may not have enough (i) coaches, (ii) steerspeople, or (iii) reserved boats.  We are required to have a coach on each boat, so if we don't have any one of the three, you'll end up doing an hour and a half of core and land workouts instead of paddling!  YAY! If there are too many paddlers for coaches/steerspersons planning on going, then it will be first-come first-serve (Rod makes final determination).  Coaches and captains need time off too; most of us won't be there.

General reminder: No attendance poll this week, but please fill out the attendance poll for each practice; Wednesday polls close at 7 PM on Mondays, weekend polls close at 7 PM on Wednesdays.

Parking reminder: please do not park on any street; Sunday mornings please do not park in the small Boy Scout lot (adjacent to the building), leave it for the elderly and physically challenged church goers

2.  OC-2 TESTING -- Sunday 6/19

Testing will be for Big Long Beach.  Required for a seat on the Red boat.
Don't really care to be on Red boat? You can still test to gauge how you progress.  The tests are completely anonymous and helps the coaches to help you improve 
You will receive individualized coaching and a video analysis of your technique. Then you can also see your own improvement and progress with each passing testing day.
Sign up here.  Hurry, only a few slots left!  Email coaches if you need a make-up date.

3. UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS -- 7/30 & 7/31; 9/17 & 9/18

BIG LONG BEACH - 7/30 - 7/31.  It's that time again!  Our big home tournament is right around the corner. Let's take the momentum and energy we're riding from Vancouver and bring it straight into Long Beach! RSVP on the Evite.

SAN FRANCISCO - 9/17 & 9/18.  This is huge!  Fun factor off the charts! Awesome venue and crazy sister team!  Have you heard the many SF shenanigans fellow teammates have?  We always seem to come out of this tournament with some nutty story. Don't miss it! Sign up NOW!  I know you want to!

4.  SD LADIES NIGHT -- WINE/FOOD/CHEESE -- 6/24, 6 PM

Ladies Only, this will include any of our SD guy’s significant other.
What to bring:
a bottle of wine, cheese or appetizer
games, movies, etc
Also, you can spend the night at Marina's and then go to practice together the next day!
See Facebook invite from Janet, SD social extraordinaire, so friend Janet now!

5.  SD BAKE SALE -- Saturday 7/2

What goes great with 4th of July BBQ and beach outing?  Cookies, cupcakes, brownies, etc.  This will be a great fundraising and team building event, so put it on your calendar!  We need helpers for this event!
Needed:
   Volunteers to sell
   Bake sale items donation (hint, don't want to do all the work?  You can buy cookie dough from your friendly grocer's freezer, drop it in the oven and viola, fresh baked cookies!)
   Not a baker?  We also need non-bake sale items donation: bottled water, forks, napkins
Let Marina know what (bake/non-bake items) you can donate
Proceeds will help keep tournament fees low, so help where you can please!

7.  FIRST ANNUAL SPACE DRAGONS FAMILY PICNIC - Sunday 8/14

Mark your calendars and save the date!  First Annual Space Dragons Family Picnic will be in August. Invite your family!  This will be a family and kid-friendly event.
This will be a potluck-style event with organized games. Want to help with the action?  We need helpers for this event!  Talk to Jackie!

8.  SD FAMILY TREE

Emily has been working on a family tree, so let her know via comment on the blog, Facebook, or email her who brought you to the Space Dragons
NEW -- Please note the year your became a Space Dragons
Also please help track down which paddler(s) you brought to the Space Dragons, active or retired

9.  SD PARKA

Put in your orders by Thursday, 6/16 for your magnificent blue Space Dragons parka.  Email Marina to order.  This is the LAST order of the season! 

Think about it... sure may be warm now, but this is your last chance before winter to order one!  Still useful for cold Wenesday practices!  But also remember those cold mornings in San Francisco?  Or how about the really windy and cold (and sometimes a tad wet) autumn, winter and early spring practices? Bet you're gonna wish you ordered one then!  So order one and maybe one day you'll look as dashing as CJ.

10.  STEERING

We are still looking for more people who are interested in becoming Certified Steerspersons.  Let the coaches know if you would like to try your hand at it!

Dang, there's a lot going on, amirite? See, we mean it - extra help would be greatly appreciated. Email Captains if you can help with anything! Thanks.

Paddles up!

-Captains

Paddler Spotlight -- Chiu!!

Dunking day (Birthday): 

March 10th

If you could have an endless supply of any food item, what would you have?

Dim Sum

How long have you been paddling and what were you thinking when you got into Space?

4+ years...What the hell am I doing!? My body was not made for this kind of punishment

Who got you into paddling and why do you do it week in and week out?

Ikemotos (Rick and Megan). I did it for Stephen originally, but Joe's excruciating practices brought me back week after week.

Favorite or notable Space Dragon moment(s)?

Too many, couple off the top of my head:

1. Pretending to be sick in Joe's boat during practice for his "surprise"
2. First time steering in a tournament all with wind up at the beach. 

How do you prep yourself for a Race?

No food.

What do you do when you're not paddling? Hobbies, activities, interests?

Walking and golf.

Any advice for newbie paddlers?

"If I can do it, you can do it."

Paddling-wise, what particular goals do you have for yourself and for the team?

To win another medal in the SD old people's boat (aka the GERI-CREW!) EHHH??

What makes a champion?

Hard work.

If you could change one thing about the Team what would it be?

More practice!

Best thing about being a Space Dragon?

The SD family.

Two of the most interesting characters you've met through the team.

Devant and Ceez.

If you were to trade any SD teammate for any celebrity, who would it be?

No one.

If you were to be stranded on an island with any 3 SD paddlers, who would you choose to get-by and pass the time with?

      Hmm...Stranded and to survive on an island...

Rod, the Skipper who'll protect me. 

Brian, the Professor who'll build things.

...and ay SD will do as Ginger

First thing that comes to mind when you hear the word(s):

1. adorable - Babies
2. hilarious - Three Stooges
3. predator - Arnold
4. prey - USC
5. handsome - Dan Tanna
6. Space Dragons - Joe and Rick 

Name something that our readers don't already know about you.

I can't swim. So if I ever fall into the water, please save me!

SD Digest 6-8-11

Space Dragons,

 

1.  PRACTICE

• Hey Alcan Crew! The word of the week is taper! And get pumped up for the premiere tournament on the West Coast.  Get out there and make us proud!
• Hey not-going-to-Alcan Crew! The word of the week is practice!  That's right, we will have regularly scheduled practice this Saturday 6/11 and Sunday 6/12 while we support our Alcan crew in spirit!
  
• But next week (Wednesday 6/15, Saturday 6/18 and Sunday 6/19), there will be no practice
• Reminder: please fill out the attendance poll for each practice; Wednesday polls close at 7 PM on Mondays, weekend polls close at 7 PM on Wednesdays
• Parking reminder: please do not park on any street; Sunday mornings please do not park in the small Boy Scout lot (adjacent to the building), leave it for the elderly and physically challenged church goers

2.  ALCAN

• Alcan Crew please read your Logistics email thoroughly, print it and bring with you.  There are detailed information on call times, team dinner and a bunch of other information you do not want to be without!
• Suggest you also print out the contact info in Google Docs

3.  OC-2 TESTING -- Sunday 6/19

• Testing will be for Big Long Beach.  Required for a seat on the Red boat.
• Don't really care to be on Red boat? You can still test to gauge how you progress.  The tests are completely anonymous and helps the coaches to help you improve 
• You will receive individualized coaching and a video analysis of your technique. Then you can also see your own improvement and progress with each passing testing day.
• Sign up here.  Hurry, time slots go fast!  Email coaches if you need a make-up date.

4.  SD LADIES NIGHT -- WINE/FOOD/CHEESE -- 6/24, 6 PM

• Ladies Only, this will include any of our SD guy’s significant other.
• What to bring:

• a bottle of wine, cheese or appetizer
• games, movies, etc

• Also, you can spend the night at Marina's and then go to practice together the next day!
• See Facebook invite from Janet, SD social extraordinaire, so friend Janet now!

5.  BOARD ISO HELPERS

• Did you know that among the members of the team, there is a DJ, a nurse, a few talented woodworkers, cooking aficionados, baking extraordinaires, and surely a lot of people with great ideas and the wherewithal to execute them too?  Let the captains know if you're interested in helping in any way (even if you don't know how you can help).

6.  SD BAKE SALE -- Saturday 7/2

• What goes great with 4th of July BBQ and beach outing?  Cookies, cupcakes, brownies, etc.  This will be a great fundraising and team building event, so put it on your calendar!  We need helpers for this event!
• Needed:
• Volunteers to sell
• Bake sale items donation (hint, don't want to do all the work?  You can buy cookie dough from your friendly grocer's freezer, drop it in the oven and viola, fresh baked cookies!)
• Not a baker?  We also need non-bake sale items donation: bottled water, forks, napkins
• Let Marina know what (bake/non-bake items) you can donate
• Proceeds will help keep tournament fees low, so help where you can please!

7.  FIRST ANNUAL SPACE DRAGONS FAMILY PICNIC - Sunday 8/14

• Mark your calendars and save the date!  First Annual Space Dragons Family Picnic will be in August. Invite your family!  This will be a family and kid-friendly event.
• This will be a potluck-style event with organized games. Want to help with the action?  We need helpers for this event!  Talk to Jackie!

8.  SD FAMILY TREE

• Emily has been working on a family tree, so let her know via comment on the blog, Facebook, or email her who brought you to the Space Dragons
• NEW -- Please note the year your became a Space Dragons
• Also please help track down which paddler(s) you brought to the Space Dragons, active or retired

9.  SD PARKA

• On those windy Wednesday evenings, don't you wish you have one of those warm cozy blue SD parkas?
• And don't forget the cold mornings and evenings at the City by the Bay (i.e. SF tourney) or the cold practices during the winter months.
• Marina is putting together another SD parka order, approximate price is $85
• Email Marina for questions and orders

10.  STEERING

• We are still looking for more people who are interested in becoming Certified Steerspersons.  Let the coaches know if you would like to try your hand at it!

-- Your Captains

OC-2 Testing, June 19, 2011

It's that time again.... for OC-2 testing!!


OC-2 testing is mandatory only for paddlers who want to be considered for Red, but we strongly encourage EVERYONE to participate, and here's why:

1. It's a great way to measure your personal improvement and see how you contribute to the boat as an individual.

2. You get individualized coaching and video analysis of your technique

3. It's just plain FUN!


Sign up for your time slot here. If you absolutely cannot make it that day, please email the coaches, and we'll do our best to schedule a make-up test.

As a reminder, testing results are anonymous, and let's keep it that way! Feel free to share your time with others, but otherwise please refrain from attaching names to times. Thanks!

P.S. Happy Father's Day! :)

SD Digest 6/1/11

Space Dragons,

1.  PRACTICE, WORK-OUTS, and STUFF LIKE THAT

• HOLY MOLEY! ALCAN is in 2 weeks!  Are you stepping it up with the Space Dragons Overachievers for Hell Week? Check the details, go for "Platinum" status by adding at least 25% to the Gold status.  The Space Dragons Dragon Boat Club facebook page is afire with folks documenting their ramped-up regimes! Join in the excruciating fun!
• Note that Hell Week exercises are not replacement for your regular workouts
• And most importantly there are only 4 more practices before Alcan, EVERY practice counts!
• Not going to Alcan?  There are only 2 months before Big Long Beach, it will come up fast, so we want YOU at practice
• Please RSVP to the practice poll -- there IS practice while part of the team is racing in Alcan!

2.  TOURNAMENTS

• For all tournaments, if you decided to back out for whatever reason within 1 month of the tournament, you need to email the coaches, not just change your Evite response
  Alcan -- $35 race fees payable to Space Dragons.  If you are flying in Thurs night and still homeless - you can call the Sandman Hotel group coordinator (Pam @ 604-646-4323, Canada rates apply) to extend your room reservation to Thursday night for the same rate!
  Some of us are confirmed for Thurs night already - so get the room asap
• Big Long Beach -- RSVP now.  Everyone WILL be there.
• San Fransisco -- Hotel reservation info posted on Evite.  Yes it's early planning but the rooms go fast, so make your reservation now!

3.  SD LADIES NIGHT -- WINE/FOOD/CHEESE -- 6/24, 6 PM

• Ladies Only, this will include any of our SD guy’s significant other.
• What to bring:
  - a bottle of wine, cheese or appetizer
  - games, movies, etc
• Also, you can spend the night at Marina's and then go to practice together the next day!
• See Facebook invite from Janet, SD social extraordinaire, so friend Janet now!

4.  SD BAKE SALE -- 7/2

• What goes great with 4th of July BBQ and beach outing?  Cookies, cupcakes, brownies, etc.
  This will be a great fundraising and team building event, so put it on your calendar!
• Needed:
• Volunteers to sell
• Bake sale items donation (hint, don't want to do all the work?  You can buy cookie dough from your friendly grocer's freezer, drop it in the oven and viola, fresh baked cookies!)
• Not a baker?  We also need non-bake sale items donation: paper plates, bottled water, forks, napkins
• Let Marina know what (bake/non-bake items) you can donate
• Proceeds will help keep tournament fees low, so help where you can please!

5.  SD FAMILY TREE

• Emily is putting together a family tree, so let her know via comment on the blog, Facebook, or email her who brought you to the Space Dragons

6.  SD PARKA

• On those windy Wednesday evenings, don't you wish you have one of those warm cozy blue SD parkas?
• And don't forget the cold mornings and evenings at the City by the Bay (i.e. SF tourney) or the cold practices during the winter months.
• Marina is putting together another SD parka order, approximate price is $85
• Email Marina for questions and orders

7.  STEERING

• Unfortunately we will not have a SD steering session but don't be discouraged, if you're interested in learning to steer, let the coaches know before you get on the boat

-- Your Captains