FAQ’s for Dream Factory MB Ice Dragon Boat

1. What does the registration fee include?

• The use of a dragon boat, paddles
• A practice session pre-event, with an experienced coach

• Practice steersperson (if needed)
• Race day steersperson (if needed)

2. Where do I turn in the donations I have gathered?

• Please bring your donations and pledges to the Dream Factory trailer, located onsite, and very visible.  Registration fees cover the cost of the festival and all pledges gathered are used to make a Dream come true for kids fighting life-threatening illnesses in Manitoba.

3. What is the role of the Team Captain?

• The team captain will be in charge of managing the team's registration, ensure waivers are signed, and will be the key contact for bookings and festival communications.
• By default, the team member that registers a team for a Dream Factory dragon boat festival is considered to be the team captain. If captaincy needs to be changed online for your team, please contact dave@thedreamfactory.ca

4. I’m a Team Captain. How do I know which paddlers have signed the waiver?

• A paddler has signed the online waiver when their name is listed on your team’s online page, on the festival website.

5. How do I know if I have signed the waiver?

• A paddler is completely registered (waiver signed) when their name is listed on your team’s online page, on the festival website.

6. How many Paddlers are needed?

• A dragon boat team for the MB Ice Dragon Boat Festival consists of up to 12 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer.
• In the boat for practice or a race heat is a maximum of 10 paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson.
• Mixed teams are comprised of male and female paddlers. A Mixed team requires a minimum of 4 paddlers of each gender in the boat. A drummer may be male or female.
• Women's teams require that all 10 paddlers and the drummer be female.

7. I want to paddle, but I don’t have a team to join. What can I do?

• You could get 10 or so friends, family and/or co-workers together and form a team, or
• E-mail dave@thedreamfactory.ca sending contact info and any details regarding any paddling experience you may or may not have.

8. Where are the practices located?

• The practices and the festivals all take place at the MB Canoe & Kayak Club, on 80 Churchill Drive, across the street from Churchill High School, next door to the Redboine Yacht Club. (MAP)
• Please park only on the south side (away from the river) of Churchill Dr., so you won’t be ticketed.

9.  What should I wear?

• Dress in layers, wearing comfortable clothing that will wick moisture (sweat) away from your skin and allows a full range of motion. Dress for the weather! There is a change room available, if needed.
• You can bring a water bottle on the boat. During a practice session, you will need it. Also, it’s a good idea to wear sunscreen.

10.  Can my family and friends come to watch me race and practice?

• Of course, they are welcome to do so. All of our events are completely free for spectators. Whether it is your family or friends, bring them to cheer you along and spend some time roaming the festival grounds.

11.  How can I find out when my races are scheduled?

• Your first & second race heats of the day will be pre-determined and listed on the race schedule, which will be sent to each Team Captain a few days prior to the festival. Those heats will be used to seed your team into the final round of racing. The start time for that final heat will be posted on a results board by the Information Table.

12.  When should I arrive prior to a race heat?

• You should be on site at least an hour prior to your race heat. Upon arrival, look for your Team Captain and let her or him know you are ready to race.