Regatta Hat

This was done for one of the False Creek club dragon boat regattas. During Expo 86, the focus was on 'transportation' and its many forms, one of which was dragon boating, so Canadian men's and women's teams came into being around that time. The FC Dragonboat women's team was formed that year and entered the world stage. For many years they were THE team to beat in both local and international dragon boating competitions. I accompanied them as assistant manager to Hong Kong and YueYang China for the world competitions in 1995. Their only real competition at that time was the A team from China, Shun Di (I'm not sure of the spelling so this is a phonetic interpretation) Shun Di was a formidable bunch of nationally recruited paddlers who trained together for months, sponsored by the Chinese state. Our women were all from the Vancouver area, had to hold down jobs, manage families and fundraise all at the same time while adhering to a grueling training schedule. They beat Shun Di anyway in Hong Kong. I regret I have lost the photo of them celebrating at the finish line!!

Below: the team practicing in Hong Kong harbour, and celebrating their win over Shun Di a few days later

The team in Yueyang, China the following week.