C4AC #2 – Where did I put that sunblock

Since the beginning of the paddling season this year and looking at pictures of Scott’s Dragon Boat team practicing in shorts in sunny LA while we were stuck under snow storm, after snow storm and after snow storm. I really wanted to move or train somewhere else.

But it’s finally part of the season, where I can’t wait to dust off the old sandals and bring out my summery clothes of long board shorts and tank tops to wear to practice as the weather finally decide to warm up.

Sure, I maybe sidelined for a while but that hasn’t stopped me from enjoying today’s amazing weather by spending a good half of the day outside lounging with my notebook (err pen and paper) and a jug of water, working out some up and coming posts for Comment for a Cause, now to spend the time to type them up but I’ll do that later this week.

How was your Saturday?

Michelle | Aidan | Caity | Dez | Nick | isabella mori | Jenna | Chris |

C4AC#2 – Sliced and Diced

It doesn’t seem like its Day 3 of Comment for a Cause at all, with being suck in the hospital from Sunday to Thursday for emergency gal bladder removal (thank god for auto scheduling posts). I wanna say thanks to Aidan who step up to the plate and was approving comments for me when I was still in the hospital.

I guess, I should start listening to my body then putting other people first like I have always have. My body finally got my attention by sending me to the hospital 3:30AM Sunday morning. I should have had the surgery on Tuesday been home Wednesday but thanks to 2 people who had to get shoot and put the hospital into lock down mode I got bumped until Wednesday.

The doctor told me that I can’t do anything or lift more then 5 pounds for 3-6 weeks. Which means I’ve been dry docked/benched from paddling until the doctor okays it. I can already tell you I’m going stir crazy until I’m back on the water.

I couldn’t believe on how many teenagers were being accompanied by the cops when I was in the hospital. I could see it more on a weekend but mid week? The joys of living in the city.

Tanya (aka NetChick) | Chris | Michelle | Caity | Aidan | Glenda Watson Hyatt | Jannie Funster |

C4AC #2 – Dragon Boating with MS

There are over 2.5 million people worldwide right now with all different stages of multiple sclerosis (MS). That’s about 50,000 Canadians and 40,000 Americans. No one really knows why some people get it and others don’t. Hopefully in my life time or my little ones life time there will be a cure for this disease and hopefully a few others as well.

Thanks to the first Blind Dragon Boat team in 1993 and the first Breast Cancer Team in 1996, Vancouver, BC have done it again shown the world everyone and anyone can Dragon Boat. Four years ago 22 people (who are living with MS or who are spouses of those of MS or know someone with the disease) formed Off Balance. They treat it as a weekly social event with a beer after practice.

Once you get all 22 people in the boat you can not tell who has MS and who doesn’t other then four people need adaptive seating since they have to be swung in/out of the boat. I have been so lucky to have been a guest coach over the years even when I didn’t need to be there I’ve jumped on board to have a practice with them after I had my own practice.

As an able body person, there are days were I don’t want to get up and do anything but just thinking of one of there paddlers who takes three hours on four buses and a skytrain (subway above ground) in a wheelchair for an hour and a half practice rain or shine. Makes me rethink life and it gets me out of bed every the time.

At the 20th anniversary of Vancouver’s Dragon Boat Festival, last June. Off Balance decided to race one of the two days. I got a chance to watch Off Balance’s second race of the festival (the fourth and final race of the festival) between my races. I don’t know what was said on the boat or if the local seal was helping them out in that nine boat heat. But WOW! It was an amazing race to watch, once they docked and got off the boat they had smiles ear to ear once they found out that they a team that was expecting to come dead last beat two other boats.

Thanks to Off Balance now there is another MS dragon boat team based out of Victoria BC heading into their second year.

Chris | cole | Dez | Michelle | Thomas | Caity | Jona | Nicole |