SD Digest 12/26

Post Christmas High ….

Ho ho hoping you had a great Holiday with Family and Friends!  I for one offered up my Family, but NO takers ;)

Roast Beast, mashed potatoes, yams, wontons, cookies, fudge, libations, (and that’s just what I had) feeling that post-holiday bloat?  2013 Tournament Season is just around the corner!

1.  FUNDRAISER @ THE ROSE BOWL – Tues Jan 1 

-   Reminder: For those that are signed up for Jan 1st

-   Try to exercise the Tournament drinking rule, you know, 1 water per fermented beverage, so that you can celebrate New Year’s Eve to its fullest, but still function New Year’s Day.   This is a huge fundraising opportunity for the team, so we need all volunteers present!

2.  PRACTICE

Pre-Season  

   - Last 2012 practice is THIS WEEKEND (9a)

   - Come on out and enjoy the beautiful CRISP mornings =)

2013 Season starts Saturday January 5th

   - That’s right, formal practices start Sat January 5!   Mark your calendars…

   - That also means the beginning of Attendance and LATE penalties!

   - We are still waiting to hear what our 2013 practice times will be, STAY TUNED!

** Fill-out (and keep updated with changes) the poll!    Doodle It!

3.  2013 Dues!  (and 2012 unpaid dues)

-   GREAT NEWS!!!  ** No Increase ** Our very successful 2012 fundraising efforts helped cancel out increases in registration and tournament fees, meaning:

-   Dues stay at the low 2012 rate of $100 adult, $50 minor (under 18)

-   As always, checks payable to Space Dragons, give to Denise, Roger or Robert

-   If you need to make installment arrangements, contact captains, we are very flexible!

3a.  2012 Unpaid Dues!  

      -   First-off, we have to say, GREAT JOB with paying your dues and fees in 2012!!!  Clap clap clap … Really, the vast majority of unpaid dues for the YEP.

      -   But, let’s help Denise, our devoted accounting officer, close out the 2012 books so we can focus on a successful 2013!  If you are unsure if you owe anything, Captains will be sending you a reminder to help you out, we’re helpful like that ;)

4.  Dragon Boat Maintenance – 

It’s that time of year again!  Time to help the boat maintenance for the 2013 season.  We use these boats A LOT so let’s do our part! Here’s how you can help:

·        Please contact maintenance coordinator Steve Kashynski

·        Let captains know of your participation

·        Boat maintenance involves approx. 2 hours of sanding the wood parts/trim and some varnishing

Thank You!

5.  2013 Alcan Dragon Boat Festival (VANCOUVER) – Fri Jun 21 – Sun Jun 23 

-   I know it’s early but this is a  B I G   D E A L!

-   While our regular warm up tournaments, Tempe and Baby LB, are still in play

-   Start your plans now for Vancouver.  Things to consider:

    * Time off: Try to schedule arrival Thu or early Fri to available for a Fri practice in Vancouver!

    * Passport: Canada travel requires a passport, it must be valid through Jan 2014(6mo from travel date)

    * Travel Costs: Start saving today! One less beer a week is already $200 saved ;)

    * Evite: Check out evite and sign up (Yes, Maybe, No) and keep it updated =)

    * Questions: Have questions? Need convincing? Ask your favorite vet!

6.  CPR Certification for All Steers! – Special Note from Step 

RSVP for CPR class on the Evite!  ALL year-around steers (practice and tournament) will need to be CPR-certified by June 9th. In your Evite response please include your:

Full name

Team name

Specify: steer, coach/captain, or paddler.

Thanks!

-         $35 Fee will be covered for steers already certified or who will be certified by CPR class date only

-         If you are not a steer, feel free to participate in this opportunity, but you will be responsible for the $35 class fee.

CHARITIES!

7.  SCDBC School Painting

-   On Saturday, January 19th, the SCDBC is going to use its off-season to give back to the community by working with Compton Initiative to paint a school in Compton. Invite friends and family; the more the merrier! Evite sign ups!

-- Your Captains!!!

and a partridge in a pear tree!

this cements it, brianne is a genius at photoshop!

2 turtle doves

aww! brianne celebrates turtle and blanca getting married earlier this year.

3 french hens

lol, that brianne's a weird one, alright!

4 calling birds

from the twisted mind of brianne

5 golden rings

made by brianne

6 geese a-laying

photo is brianne's creation

SD Digest 12/19/12

6 Days Til Christmas….

Last minute gift shopping, parties and FEASTing, don’t forget to take some time out for a little, run, bike, swim, yoga, maybe even some paddling time ;)  2013 Tournament Season is just around the corner!

1.  FUNDRAISER @ THE ROSE BOWL – Tues Jan 1 

-   Reminder: For those that participated in the Nov 24^th event and are signed up for Jan 1^st!

-   That means, if you have not signed up, contact captains if you would like to give it a try!  This is a huge fundraising opportunity for the team, so the more the merrier!

2.  PRACTICE

Pre-Season 

   - Remainder of 2012 practices are at 9a!

   - Dust off your paddle, loosen up your PFD and come on out and enjoy the beautiful CRISP mornings =)

2013 Season starts January 5th

   - That’s right, formal practices start Sat January 5!   Mark your calendars…

   - That also means the beginning of Attendance and LATE penalties!

   - We are still waiting to hear what our 2013 practice times will be, STAY TUNED!

** Fill-out (and keep updated with changes) the poll!    Doodle It!

3.  2013 Dues!  

-   GREAT NEWS!!!  ** No Increase ** Our very successful 2012 fundraising efforts helped cancel out increases in registration and tournament fees, meaning:

    -   Dues stay at the low 2012 rate of $100 adult, $50 minor (under 18)

4.  2013 Alcan Dragon Boat Festival (VANCOUVER) – Fri Jun 21 – Sun Jun 23 

-   I know it’s early but this is a  B I G   D E A L!

-   While our regular warm up tournaments, Tempe and Baby LB, are still in play

-   Start your plans now for Vancouver.  Things to consider:

    * Time off: Try to schedule arrival Thu or early Fri to available for a Fri practice in Vancouver!

    * Passport: Canada travel requires a passport, it must be valid through Jan 2014(6mo from travel date)

    * Travel Costs: Start saving today! One less beer a week is already $200 saved ;)

    * Evite: Check out evite and sign up (Yes, Maybe, No) and keep it updated =)

    * Questions: Have questions? Need convincing? Ask your favorite vet!

5.  Dragon Boat Maintenance – 

It’s that time of year again!  Time to help clean up the boats for the 2013 season.  We use these boats A LOT so let’s do our part! Here’s how you can help:

·        Please contact Steve Kashynski

·        Let captains know of your participation so we can make acknowledge.

Thank You!

6.  CPR Certification for All Steers! – Special Note from Step 

RSVP for CPR class: on the Evite!  ALL year-around steers (practice and tournament) will need to be CPR-certified by June 9th. In your response please include your full name, team name, and specify: steer (or intending to steer), coach/captain, or paddler. Thanks!

CHARITIES!

7.  SCDBC School Painting

-   On Saturday, January 19th, the SCDBC is going to use its off-season to give back to the community by working with Compton Initiative to paint a school in Compton. Invite friends and family; the more the merrier! Evite!

-- Your Captains!!!

7 swans a-swimming

from the creative mind of brianne

8 maids a-milking

behold brianne's amazing photoshop skills

The Burden of Steering

Steering is a tough job.  You can single handedly cost the team the race (been there, done that!  Tempe 2007) and go from hero to zero in just a split second.  During the tense few minutes when the boats are lining up for the race, you're trying to time the approach (or back paddling) just right, angle the boat to prevent the wind from pushing us out of our lane, and make sure we don't plow over a buoy after the horn blows.  And if you have someone temperamental on the boat (ahem BK), sometimes you have someone swearing at you under his/her breath.

On Space, we are lucky to have so many skilled steersmen (and women) and even more who are eager to learn the art.  Gaining the control and confidence to steer in a race takes dedication and sacrifice.  It requires weeks of practice on the oar, which equates to weeks of lost paddling time.

We all can appreciate how valuable time on the water is, so this is a CALL TO ARMS!!  If you are certified and haven't been steering consistently, be considerate to your fellow steersman and dust off that steering number!  Respect that they have paddling goals as well, and share the burden.

SD Weekly Digest 12/12/12

13 Days Til Christmas….

Tree trimming, gift shopping, gatherings, travel planning and FEASTs with roast beast, don’t forget to sneak in some Training! You will feel better before, during and after your feasts!

1.  FUNDRAISER @ THE ROSE BOWL – Tues Jan 1 

-   Reminder: For those that participated in the Nov 24^th event and are signed up for Jan 1^st, contact captains if you would like to give up your spot to share the experience. We will try to fill those spots with other interested Space Dragons!

-   That means, if you have not signed up, contact captains if you would like to give it a try!

2.  PRACTICE

Pre-Season  

   - Remainder of 2012 practices are at 9a!

   - We are working on technique and light endurance

   - Dust off your paddle, loosen up your PFD and come on out and enjoy the beautiful CRISP mornings =)

   ** Fill-out (and keep updated with changes) the poll!    Now using Doodle!

3.  2013 Alcan Dragon Boat Festival (VANCOUVER) – Fri Jun 21 – Sun Jun 23 

-   I know it’s early but this is a  B I G   D E A L!

-   While our regular warm up tournaments, Tempe and Baby LB, are still in play

-   Start your plans now for Vancouver.  Things to consider:

    * Time off: Try to schedule arrival Thu or early Fri to available for a Fri practice in Vancouver!

    * Passport: Canada travel requires a passport, it must be valid through Jan 2014

    * Travel Costs: Start saving today! One less beer a week is already $200 saved ;)

    * Evite: Check out evite and sign up (Yes, Maybe, No) and keep it updated =)

    * Questions: Have questions? Need convincing? Ask your favorite vet!

 

4.  Parkas

-   Our order of 21 parkas is in!  See Gracey for your parka if you haven't already received it.

          -   Sad that you didn't get in on this big order, even though Gracey gave you ample opportunity to jump in on it?  Now you have a second chance!  Email Marina about ordering a parka - she's setting up another parka order.  Last chance before the 2013 season starts!

 

CHARITIES!

5.  L.A. Food Bank Volunteering

“Thanks for supporting my new years resolution guys!!”- Emily

It was a great show of teamwork as well as an opportunity for mixing it up with fellow Long Beach team X-Generals!

-- Your Captains!!!

SD Weekly Digest 12/5/12

December Is Here!

Time for Egg Nog, Cookies, Christmas decorations, Friends, Family and Technique!

1.  FUNDRAISER @ THE ROSE BOWL – Tues Jan 1 

-   For those that participated in the Nov 24^th event and are signed up for Jan 1^st, contact captains if you would like to give up your spot to share the experience. We will try to fill those spots with other interested Space Dragons! (no guaranties though)

-   That means, if you have not signed up, contact captains if you would like to give it a try! (please, because it's better to spread the workload around with such a big team... and the November volunteers all said they had lots of fun!)

2.  PRACTICE

Pre-Season  

   - Remainder of 2012 practices are at 9a!

   - Time to start working on technique

   - Dust off your core and come on out and enjoy the beautiful CRISP mornings =)

   ** Fill-out (and keep updated with changes) the poll!    Now using Doodle!

3.  2013 Alcan Dragon Boat Festival (VANCOUVER) – Fri Jun 21 – Sun Jun 23 

-   I know it’s early but this is a  B I G   D E A L!

-   While our regular warm up tournaments, Tempe and Baby LB, are still in play

-   Start your plans now for Vancouver.  Things to consider:

    * Time off: Try to be there by early Fri, we do have a Fri practice in Vancouver!

    * Passport: Canada travel requires a passport, it must be valid through Dec 2013

    * Travel Costs: Start saving today! One less beer a week is already $200 saved ;)

    * Evite: Check out evite and sign up (Yes, Maybe, No) and keep it updated =)

    * Questions: Have questions, need convincing, ask your favorite vet!

CHARITIES!

4.  2012 CHRISTMAS CHARITY – Garth Kemp’s “Stuff a Bus” – Marina

-   We will be handing over all our collected toys this Friday @ 3:30pm in Cerritos Mall (605 fwy and South Street).  Look for signs directing you to Sparkle of Love toy drop off.

-   Wear your jerseys and represent Space Dragons.  Hopefully we'll make it on to the evening news!

-   Check Spacebook or contact Marina for details if you want to join the fun!

Thank You for your Kindness!!!

-- Your Jolly Captains!!!