Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Guts and Glory Race 2

Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival 2012

Some shots from the 2012 Vancouver RioTinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival.  Saturday, June 16th was an absolutely miserable day with solid rain all day.  I didn't even go down to the event as sitting in the rain watching is not much fun.  Sunday was much nicer, and I did get out to watch the racing and take a few photos.

 

Heading out to race

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Team Too

Racing

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Racing 2

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Guts and Glory Race 7

One of the racers, a dragon boat team, and me.

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Bob, the team, and me

Concord Pacific Flying Dragons One and Too (processed in the style of "300")

Dragon Boat Festival: 2012-06-17 : Group : 300 Style

 

The Gong Show that is the Guts and Glory race.  16 teams race 4 legs of 500m, which means they need to make a three turns.  These boats, with 22 people, don't turn on a dime and the turns are where the action is.  A lot of fun to watch.

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Guts and Glory Race

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Guts and Glory Race 2

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Guts and Glory Race 3

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Guts and Glory Race 4

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Guts and Glory Race 5

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Guts and Glory Race 6

 

Looks like the geese are enjoying the racing too.

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Geese like the show

 

The Hastings Street Band providing entertainment for the fans.

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Hastings Street Band

Dragon Boat Festival : 2012-06-17 : Tuba

 

I also found a very cool video, shot by the steersman for team "Kai Ikaika" of Portland, Oregon, winners of the 2012 Guts and Glory race. Looks like an exciting race.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxyRqJ8Xmhk