The Racine Dragon Boat Club had an outstanding showing at the Oshkosh Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, Sept. 26. Three teams from the club participated in the event -- Arashi, Motley Crew and Pink Paddling Power -- and Arashi took 1st place and Motley Crew took 2nd place out of 43 teams.
Arashi, pictured above after winning at Oshkosh, is the traveling competitive team of the Racine Dragon Boat Club and took first place in the Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival and second in the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival earlier this year. The team has also competed in Tampa, FL, and ten of the members will be joining ten Canadians in mid-October to paddle in the Orlando Dragon Boat Festival in Disney World. The team has its sights set on competing in Nationals in 2010.
Motley Crew is comprised of people who paddle on various teams in the Racine Dragon Boat Festival. They practice at least once a week and attend the Oshkosh Dragon Boat Festival every year. Last year the team placed first in Oshkosh.
Pink Paddling Power is Racine's breast cancer survivor team. All of the women are either battling or have battled breast cancer. They competed in London, Ontario, this year, as well as in the Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival. The Oshkosh Dragon Boat Festival dedicated their event to Angie, one of their teammates who passed away last December.
For more information about the Racine Dragon Boat Club or to join or sponsor a team visit their website or email.
Of course they are going to win - they practice year round. I think is a disgrace that they compete against local teams that get in two or three practice's. They should compete against themselves. The whole event is rigged with them participating.
ReplyDeleteYippeee.....Now I can sleep better...
ReplyDeleteBoth previous comments are so rude, are Racine residents unable to appreciate thier community? Just say congrats and move on!
ReplyDeleteI am an avid reader of Racine post and the Journal Times and I am embarressed! I cannot believe what some people say. I recently moved out of town and I want to be able to be proud when I tell people I'm from Racine. As of right now I am too ashamed of all of you to feel that way.
Please do not let the comments of two negative people cause you to lump all Racinians into the category of "rude". I understand where you are coming from though in the case of the first two comments.
ReplyDeletei think the Dragon Boat Festivals should have an alternate scoring and prize schedule, based on how many hours/week the boats are able to practice.
ReplyDeleteJust like we do for students in RUSD.
We need to design our systems so that outcomes are equalized. We all need to feel equally good about ourselves.
Anon 7:53, it is not just those two comments, these two just sent me over the edge. There is nothing negative in the article and yet people ahve to be bitter.Every article I read...there is, whith out fail, a negative comment.
ReplyDeleteIt seems people have lost faith in their community or are on a personal mission to make everyone feel as shitty as they are acting. I will ALWAYS be proud of Racine, but it is becoming more of a task for me.
Given our crime and unemployment rates, there isn't too much in Racine for us to crow about. Even so, dragon boats don't hurt anybody and they do provide people with innocent fun.
ReplyDeleteDear 8:07 A.M., Unless you're part of the local oligarchy and its yuppie retainer class, Racine is a poverty pit. Except for a fortunate few, this badnews burg has very few jobs which pay a living wage. As for our public schools, my Mom always said that it was rude to speak ill of the dead. In plain English, Racine is a dying company town dominated by an arrogant corporate crime family and its six-figure lackeys.
ReplyDeleteIF Racine were a town in which people took pride, it wouldn't lead the Badger State in minority infant mortality. Our leaders can find public money for trash like a Nic Noblique sculpture or a fancy entrance for a zoo which most of us can't afford to visit. On the other hand, things which help ordinary residents are in short supply. I guess "The Family" and the Ivy League yuppies want it that way. I only hope and pray that dragon boats aren't part of the elite's nonsense.
ReplyDeleteto the very bitter 1st 2 comments.yes,we do compete against ourselves.hence,we try to better ourselves every practice.and yes,you can sleep better because you haqve a bunch of people staying positive representing the dragonboat community,and the racine community.what have you 2 done lately?
ReplyDeleteha ha..does'nt take long for the negative comments to set in.ARASHI is recruiting for 2010.never mind the negative comments if you love to paddle and compete.you can reach us at "Racine Dragon Boat Club "website.indicate ARASHI in your message.
ReplyDeleteI would like to invite everyone to join the Racine Dragon Boat Club, so you too can practice all year. Check out our website at www.racinedragonboatclub.org
ReplyDeleteFor the 1st sour grape; if you took your time to do some research they DO actually have prizes in all the divisions, and ARASHI won the competitive division and was the best team of all, but plenty of cups and plaques were given out in Oshkosh. And by the way when did people start looking down on hard work? because we work hard we don't deserve to win? that's the worst nonsense I've heard in my life!
ReplyDeleteI say horray for ARASHI and congratulations the whole Dragon Boat community in Racine. Did you know Dragon Boat racing is the fastest growing water sport in the world.
ReplyDeleteIt offers opportunities to enjoy the water front and raises community awareness and pride. Who could be against that.
Further most festivals include charity participation, and vendors and local business associations alike, welcome the revenues from any public event. I say step up, join in, watch, paddle and play. Dragon Boat racing is for everyone. All levels from first times to committed crews.
Did you know that there is a World Championship for Dragon Boat racing, and those teams practice for years and years and years, all year round.
Serious people, passionate paddlers, community focused. I think we could all benefit from more like minds community participants like these folks.
You are right-bloggers are so negative they hurt society overall, and always seem to find a way to twist the truth, or turn a positive to a negative. Much as I hate to, I might just stop reading here because it just serves to bring everyone down. That being said, did you no the Dragon Boaters are providing a Dragon Boat for the public to use behind D P Wigley for the Discover the River event held in conjunction with Party on the Pavement? We will have a good time, because the negative bloggers will surely not be there, they can't break away from their addiction to spread ill will from the anonymity of their keyboards...
ReplyDeleteWow, there are a few "geniuses" posting here. Who complains that a team practices too much? It's like saying no fare you beat me because I'm lazy. And this guy is against improving the zoo. Who opposes things like that to improve the community? Also if you are too poor for the zoo do some dragon boating. Join a team like Arashi that practices a lot and maybe you can be on a winning team rather then posting such negative blogs and bringing everyone down. Dragon boating is cheap and if you’re lucky you will meet a lot of good people who will teach you a thing or two about working hard to achieve a goal.
ReplyDeleteI say great job Arashi, "Crack Some Heads!"
I'm glad I read all these comments I almost gave up after the first two. It's sad to see just how awful people can be.
ReplyDeleteWork hard, pat yourself on the back when you do a good job.
Pat your neighbor on the back when they do a good job.
And when you loose, suck it up.
Dear 11:37 P.M., Improving a zoo (which is mainly for the upper-middle class) doesn't benefit most members of the community. To ordinary people who are working multiple low-wage jobs, the zoo is a sick joke. We don't need it. We never needed it. However, it's here because corporate creeps wanted a status symbol. I hope Dragon Boats aren't the same snooty type of thing.
ReplyDeletePeople have to work too hard in order to survive in this city. Who brought the Dragon Boats to our badnews burg and why are they here instead of in Asia, where they've been part of the culture for centuries?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRonin - Do you really think it is fair to have a professional team competing with amatures. Last time I heard that was not normally done. For this team to come in and take 1st place over amature is not right. The Dragon Boat races are great fun for the teams participating and those watching. It is a nice event for the city, but let's pair up teams fairly.
ReplyDeletePeople please!!!! It's a charity fundraiser and besides, we have Ronin in our sights. Our goal is to beat them :) The races are done all in good fun for a good cause. Let it run people!!! Quit bashing Arashi. Will the same be said when other clubs come support the festival in Racine and beat your teams potentially???
ReplyDeleteRodney - have them compete against other professionals in a category of their own.
ReplyDeleteRonin - Do you really think it is fair to have a professional team competing with amatures. Last time I heard that was not normally done. For this team to come in and take 1st place over amature is not right. The Dragon Boat races are great fun for the teams participating and those watching. It is a nice event for the city, but let's pair up teams fairly.
ReplyDeleteare you calling ARASHI professional?
last time i checked,we ,the team,are funding our trips and entry fees.we do are looking for sponsor.the team loves to compete,hence ,we practice.so,are you going to stop us from competing in the racine festival because we practice more than others?what does that make you?
if you have a better suggestion how to run a festival,talk to the rotary clubs AND the Racine dragon boat club.
maybe ,just maybe ,if you want your team to have a better result than this year,you can convince them to come out and paddle more.all you have to do is join the club and you can practice all you want instaed of being a sour grapes and pretend to know it all.i go out there and coach festival teams and promote the sport,we as a team go out there and compete and promote the sport.are you going to stop u from doing that too.?what does that make you?
Ronin - it's as simple as this. Teams that practice year round should not be put into the same category with teams that have 2 or 3 practices. Actually your team should be ashamed of yourselves as a team that had 2 practices almost beat you for 1st place.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are proud of thia accomplishment.
It's as simple as this...
ReplyDeleteMy team was put with Arashi and other teams that have competed before. We were put with them because it was a club team. This was our first year. WE can and will build and learn from our experience. I guess that makes us professional as well. Arashi is a club team as well to the best of my knowledge. It's called being competitive no matter what level of experience your team mates have. It's a fun, team building sport. Some are better than others as in everything in life. So quit bashing Arashi. They EARNED the win. next year they may have stiffer competition in their division. Enough already!!!
Rodney - Yes Arashi won against amatures. They should be proud.
ReplyDeleteThis kid that keeps bashing Arashi needs a time out. His mother should really take away his internet privileges.
ReplyDeleteYou can't call a team professional unless they are paid to compete. On the contrary Arashi is paying to participate just like everyone else.
As far as them "almost being beat", two seconds is a fairly large lead in a dragon boat race.
You can go through life hating everyone who has it better then you or you can use your energy improving yourself so you can join them.
I just want to say that all the team members of Arashi were once members of comunity teams. They fell in love with the sport and joined the club. Thru the club they found each other. This was the first year of their existance. It's not like they have been racing together every year since the beginning of Racine's dragonboat festival, stealing the win every year.
ReplyDeleteThank you trigirl. Someone with a positve outlook and reasonable thinking. Hard work and devotion to a passion each and every one of the team members have for dragon boating. It's a way of life for some.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the struggle for survival in this evil town trumps passion for a sport. When people have to worry about paying the rent or utility bills, the squabble over dragon boats looks silly.
ReplyDeleteHow and why did Racine get saddled with dragon boats?
ReplyDelete11:13 poster
ReplyDeleteyes we are proud of our accomplishment.we worked hard for it.by your comments about the time diff. between arashi and angel fish you have no clue about dragon boat racing.
great races are won and lost by milliseconds.next time post with your name instead of posting anonymously when targeting me.
for the genius that posted "amatures"it is "amateurs"!
"why are we saddled by dragon boating?"
ReplyDeletethe rotary clubs of Racine brought dragon boating to town as a great tool for fundraising.
and it is.Arashi a team of the racine dragon boat club,have been donating there time and efforts to the success of the festival.from taking care of the boats ,festival team practices and cleaning up after the festival ,the people you see left behind are arashi and other club members.
too bad you feel saddled by the dragon boat festival.on a good note,the recipients of the money that the Rotarians with the help of Arashi and the dragon boat club,are benefitting from it.
thanks to the corporate and community teams and sponsors,the dragon boating festival has been a success year after year.
If dragon boats raise money for charity, then they're not an affliction. My worry arose from a suspicion that they were here because a certain arrogant billionaire clan wanted them as a status symbol to impress Pacific Rim Poobahs with whom they fraternize at meetings of the Trilateral Commission. If the involvement of that vile family and its companies is kept to a minimum, then dragon boats are great!
ReplyDeleteapparently you have a problem with "Johnson Wax". They have helped Racine alot. What would this town be without them? Employment?
ReplyDeleteAlso, whoever was complaining about the zoo, was that you too? It costs $4. Less than a movie, and if you can afford the internet, you can take your kids to the zoo!
To all the people that still have the need to bash Arashi for a great accomplishment...
ReplyDeleteThe crew of a dragon boat consists of people from all walks of life. It doesn't matter if your rich or poor, physically strong or weak, young or old, ethnic backgrounds have no barriers. It's not only a competitive sport, but a great, healthy, family recreation. It's a way that corporations and individuals alike can learn team building skills. New friendships are formed whether it's between employees in a workplace that normally would not know or associate with one another, or between members of competing teams or clubs. ALL of the teams competing in a festival are contributing to an organization for a much needed and appreciated fundraiser.
Check out your local dragon boat club. They'll welcome you in a boat, give you the basics in technique. If you wish to build on that you can. Be on a team that helps support a much needed charity. Meet new people and make new friendships. Make a difference in someones lives. It's as simple as that...
The Dragon boat is a wonderful event put on with many hours of volunteering by Rotarians and others. It is suppose to be a fun event with some competitve flavor. The issue is the company sponsored amateurs should not be put up against teams that practice year round - What people don't understand about this I have no idea. If Arashi wants to stand tall and pat themselves on the back for beating fun teams that have had 2-3 practices while they practice year long, I guess so be it. Be proud of yourselves - no one else is.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is entitled to their own opinions. My opinion of Arashi and ALL the other teams is very high. I am proud of not only their win in Oshkosh, but of each individual who participated in the festival or helped at the festival. Without them there would be no fundraiser of this sort, that was a great way to spend the day with family and friends.
ReplyDeleteRod baby - It is the Rotary that really makes this thing happen and finally let Arashi compete against teams at the same calibur and experience. They should not be allowed to win these events as it is now set up.
ReplyDelete“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong
ReplyDeleteman stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The
credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred
by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short
again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings;
but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm,
the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best
knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he
fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never
be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
-- THEODORE ROOSEVELT
10:11 - give it up.
ReplyDelete