FAQ’s for Dream Factory River City Dragon Boat Festival, Preented by Firma Foreign Exchange

1. What does the registration fee include?

• The use of a dragon boat, paddles, lifejackets
• 2 Practice sessions pre-event, with an experienced coach

• Practice steersperson (if needed)
• Race day steersperson (if needed)
• A spot for your Team tent (up to 10’ x10’) - you supply the tent.

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 team may register up to 25 paddlers, including the drummer and steerer (you might need some spares)
• In the dragon boat for River City for practice or a race heat is a maximum of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer.
• Mixed teams are comprised of male and female paddlers. A Mixed team requires a minimum of 8 paddlers of each gender in the boat. A drummer may be male or female.
• Women's teams require that all 20 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 20 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. How do I book my team’s practices?

• A link and password to the site where you can book your practice sessions will be sent to the Team Captain of each registered team 2 or 3 weeks ahead of the practice sessions starting. On this site, the Team Captain can pick from available practice sessions, and also book a steersperson, if needed. There is no charge for booking a steersperson.
• Everyone must sign a waiver online before attending a practice.

9. When are the practice sessions?

• Every registered team is entitled to two practice sessions (each lasting an hour) with an experienced dragon boat coach. Practice sessions for the River City Dragon Boat Festival take place weekday evenings in May. Practices for the September Dragon Boat Challenge take place weekday evenings in August.

10. Once I have booked my team’s practices, am I able to change them?

• Yes, but this must be done by contacting dave@thedreamfactory.ca  at least 48 hours in advance of your presently scheduled practice (the one you wish to change). Any changes or cancellations to a scheduled practice session must be done a minimum of 48 hours prior to that session.

11.  When should I arrive for my practice?

• Your team should arrive a minimum of 30 minutes prior to your scheduled practice time.  This allows time for parking, warm-ups, selecting life jackets (PFD’s), paddles, etc.  Please note that a representative from The Dream Factory will meet with all teams at the practice site, for a few minutes prior to the team’s first practice session.

12.  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.

13.  Will I get wet paddling?

• Yes. Sometimes you will finish a race feeling like you just cannon-balled into a swimming pool, other times you will only experience a few odd splashes from your teammates’ paddles. It all depends on where you sit and the intensity and technique of your teammates. Do not bring anything into the boat like wallets, phones, electronic car keys, or iPods as these items could suffer water damage.

14.  What should I wear?

• Wear comfortable clothing that does not hold or absorb moisture, that you don’t mind getting wet. Thermal or dri-fit tops and stretchy/spandex shorts or pants are all appropriate choices. If you are racing multiple times in a day, bring a change of clothes to avoid the dreaded act of putting on wet spandex. 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 water proof sunscreen.

15.  What if it is rains during the event or practice?

• You will get wet.
• Racing and practice sessions are still on even if it’s rainy! Only thunder and lightning or extreme wind/weather conditions are grounds for cancelling practices or postponing races. Paddler safety is of utmost importance.

16.   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.

17.  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 Team Captains 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.

18.  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.