What a rush

Days prior to the Olympics people were mentioning on twitter that they never heard so many different languages as they were walking around. When I heard that I was just shocked, as Vancouver is a multicultural city just like the rest of North America. Maybe they just been living under a rock all these years.. Who knows? I remember being six years old at Expo 1986 and being amazed at all the different cultures and whatnot and then again 10 years later when Vancouver hosted the World dragon boat championships, so I got to see all these different cultures once again getting together and take part in something they love. This is why I love this city as we are all so different.

I maybe a very proud Canadian with a maple leaf tattoo but I support every athlete out there whether your have a mega sponsor(s) like Shaun White of the USA or those athletes who taking time off work and paying out of your own pocket to attend the games.. Like most of the parlympics athletes had to do.

With that being said, I do believe that the Olympics and the Paralympics has changed us Vancouverites (and maybe even the rest of Canada) in a big way, As I’ve never seen Vancouver so bubbly and so patriot like our neighbours to the south. Where ever you went you heard a huge crowd people singing our anthem or a small group of people signing theirs. There was always someone in that crowd of red and white wearing their nations flags as a cape. This is a once in a lifetime event and it was priceless and just awesome. Only thing I am not looking forward to is the paying off the debt.

The highlight of the Olympics games for me would have been when we broke the 34 year curse of not winning a gold on home soil, and for every athlete being able to make it to the Olympics and doing their personal best. And talking to US Bobsled Elena and Canadian Luger Chris. Continue reading… » »

Lissy | iVision4u |

Question of the Day: Sports Icon

Question of the Day: Who is your Sports Icon/Idol? (Dead or Alive)

Since I attend the Worlds Dragon Boat Championships in 1996, my idol has been Andrea Dillon who is the head coach of FCRCC womens crew.

Caity |

Paddling Junkie Checklist

YOU KNOW YOU’RE A PADDLING JUNKIE IF….

· You need a second job just to pay for your paddles, PFDs, butt pads, Gatorade………
· Your second job is calling festival race starts…..
· Your idea of spending quality time with your significant other is a perfectly in-synch hit drill…..
· You have more than one paddle that cost over $200.
· You go sit in the boat, even on nights your team isn’t even paddling…..
· You used to rest and relax on the weekends, now the only rest you get is between races at a festival….
· You think “wearing something nice” means a clean PFD….
· When someone says they are going out of town this weekend you ask if there is a festival there….
· All your clothes smell like lake water and your shoes squish when you walk….
· Your idea of a weekend getaway is a two-day festival in Florida….
· You have a tattoo that says Paddles Up!
· You plan your summer vacation each year around paddling camp….
· Your significant other knows when you ask them out to dinner you really mean pizza after practice…..
· You have a personal paddling blog/website. …..

When I read this I just started to laugh because:
I want a second job, just to pay for my paddling sports addiction,
I have five paddles worth $200+ each,
I only really get out of town just for festivals,
I have a dragon boat related tattoo,
Paddling is part of my domain name.

Looking forward to the start of season 16. Hope its a good one.

Shauna | Katy |