OLPC- President's Annual Report(2008)- AGM January 13.2009

OSOYOOS LAKE PADDLING CLUB

PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT AGM JANUARY 13, 2009

The 2008 season started on a high note with the February donation of $2000 from Ryan Erickson, Sales Manager, Regal Ridge Development, toward the purchase of a new boat. In March, after receiving information from Go Rowing and Paddling that their company had several used 46’ Millenium fiberglass dragon boats for sale, Special Committee members Bob S. and Henry J. made a quick trip to Victoria to pick the best boat available. Earmarked Club funds from fundraising and fees, plus the Regal Ridge donation, made the $9800 plus taxes purchase possible on March 31.

On April 26, the club held a TCPM Day, (turn, clean, polish and move) for Desert Dragon 1, complete with hot dogs and hot drinks at Linda 's Den, in preparation for the Open House on May 3rd. There was a good turnout of paddlers at the Linda's Den to take 12 interested people in the boat over the course of the afternoon. Five of those joined the club this year. A busy paddling schedule ensued, with practices for novices, mixed, and seniors commencing May 5. Experienced paddlers had a week of paddling to ‘tune up’ prior to novices practices. June was an eventful month for the Club.

Sunday, June 1st, the Millenium boat arrived to the cheers of several paddlers present to assist in unloading and parking the boat. On June 21-22, 17 members formed the OLPC Relay for Life team, captained by Ingrid N., who rounded up some great western theme decorations for our tent area. The total funds raised for Cancer research from the Osoyoos Relay approximated $80,000, the highest in the four years the Relay has been run. Also in June, Ken Nader of Super Valu sponsored the purchase of 15 mango colored Wedge pfd’s which, added to those owned by individual members, gave the racing teams a complete set. Our club was well represented at the July 1st Cherry Fiesta, with a good turnout of paddlers to escort Stanley on the parade route, to the delight of children and fans. 20 paddlers in the big boat presented an impressive syncronized paddling demonstration to audiences along the beach.

The Women’s Team competed in the Kelowna Women’s Race on July 12 for the third year. The team’s combined race times placed them in the final Gold Division race in contention for the gold medal. The team finished two seconds behind each of the first two teams, this being the first time they had come so close to the two zone and provincial caliber racing teams from Kelowna. Bob and Iris S. kindly hosted a pizza and movie night later in August to watch Bob’s video and celebrate the ladies’ performance. Also in August, the Seniors Team traveled to a‘fun’ races, three actually, and delicious brunch on Skaha Lake, hosted by the Penticton Golden Dragons. Ryan Erickson, Regal Ridge Developments, joined paddlers in August for a short paddle one evening to enable a public relations photo shot for the Anarchist Mountain Newsletter. September was another busy month, commencing with the Club hosting Penticton’s Golden Dragons for a fun race practice and brunch on the Spit at the Holiday Inn. Penticton arrived with a full team so with Desert Spirit racing in Desert Dragon One and Penticton Golden Dragons in Desert Dragon Two, it was a good practice, followed by the Club hosting the Penticton team to a tasty brunch which they enjoyed. On September 10, Tom and Kathy B., Sharon P. and Lisa C-S set up an attractive Club display at the town’s Mass Registration Night on Sept 10 and captured the interest and sign-up sheets of 11 potential paddlers for this coming year. Unfortunately, due to the two day race, and the proximity to the Senior Games, there were insufficient paddlers to form a Mixed Racing Team to compete in the Penticton Festival in September this year.

(The 9th Annual Penticton Dragon Boat Festival is scheduled for September 11-13, 2009. ) On September 10-13, the Senior Racing Team traveled to Prince George to attend their second Senior Games Dragon Boat Festival on September 10-13. Unfortunately, due to illness, five senior members were unable to attend the Games. The team was allowed replacements and three paddlers from Prince George helped the team of 16 members finish in fourth place. Kelowna’s Lift What’s Draggin’, Shuswap Old Coots and the Sunshine Coast Team took the 2008 medals. But the Senior Desert Spirit Team wowed the other competitors with their yellow caps, donated by Shopper’s Drug Mart, matching pfd’s from Super Valu, and yellow shirts, receiving special racing necklaces from the Sunshine Coast team for safe journey to the next games. ( The Dragon Boat race will be featured for the third year in the 2009 Senior Games at Richmond, September 16-19.) A Coaches Appreciation and Paddling Windup Party on September 21st, graciously hosted by Sue and Naga T. at their ‘Mountain Dragon Den’, was attended by 34 paddlers and guests. The evening featured a wonderful pot luck dinner, an entertaining group called the Cull Peppers from Rock Creek, and a special presentation to Coaches. The evening was much enjoyed by all.

The Bake Sale Committee, Adele J., Maureen M, Barb S, Pat B and Wendy F, and all contributing bakers made an awesome team for November 5 Soroptomist’s Pearls and Pyjamas Evening! When table rent and other expenses were paid, the profit from the sale this year is $413.00, much exceeding that of previous years.

The Club’s final social event of the year, the annual Christmas Party, was held on Nov. 29th and attended by approximately 30 people who enjoyed a good dinner and visit, followed by a gift exchange, and a serious competition for the annual darts, pool and shuffleboard championships. Lisa emerged a force to reckoned next year with around the tool table.

In conclusion, 2008 was busy but progressive year for our club. With two fully paid off boats, new racing lifejackets, OLPC caps, a solid core of paddlers and a supportive community in both Oliver and Osoyoos, I believe the Club can only become bigger and stronger .

I want to thank the all Board members for their assistance, time and dedication, in very capably serving as directors and executive officers for the club this past year. To retiring directors, Marg C, Linda N, Maurice M and Wendy F, thank you for your many contributions to the Board and the Club, and I look forward to seeing you in the boat if not on the board. To all members of OLPC, thank you for your involvement, cooperation, hard work, good humor and compassion for each other, and for giving me the opportunity to serve once again as your president. Respectfully submitted, Jacqueline G

President, OLPC

Here is the Senior Team in Prince George -Sept 2008

President's Highlights - October-November 2008

Hi Everyone. It’s been a lovely fall and although there have been a few nice days lately when we wish we could still get out on the water, storing the big boat when you did was a good decision. Thank you to all those who went to the last paddle to help haul the big boat out of the water. News and Reminders:1. Remember, everyone, get your baking done for our Bake Sale at the Soroptimist’s “P.J’s, Pearls and Wine Night”, to be held at the Sonora Center, Nov. 5th, 6:30 p.m. * For baking that needs to be dropped off prior to Wed., please call Jackie and it will be put in Anne's freezer. * For baking that needs to dropped off on Wednesday, Nov.5, prior to 1:00 p.m., please call Adele . For baking to be dropped off Wed., Nov. 5, between 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., please take it to the Sonora Center beside the Elementary School in Osoyoos. Wrapping and pricing will occur between 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday so please have your baking available before 4:30 p.m. Wed. Nov. 5.2. A big thank you to Tom and Kathy , Sharon and Lisa who set up an attractive Club display at the Mass Registration Night Sept 10 and captured the interest and sign-up sheets of 11 potential paddlers for next year. Way to go, paddlers. Dragon boating is team spirit!3. The Windup Night for Zone 5 Senior Games was held Oct. 18. The business meeting, dinner, and entertainment by Gillian Russell, was well- attended. Ingrid will be the vice-president for the zone for coming year. Zone 5 travel subsidies for participants were distributed. Senior Team, if you are home and haven’t received yours, please let Jackie know.4. When Mike de S. retired from the Board of Directors in 2007, he kindly offered to draft a revised set of bylaws specific to OLPC, based on the Schedule B of the Society Act that was adopted as Bylaws for the Club when it was first formed, and including the policy statements that have been approved by the Club since that time. The Directors reviewed the first draft of the revised Bylaws at their meeting Tuesday, Oct. 29. The Board will continue to work on the draft revised bylaws at their November Board meeting, in an attempt to finalizing the document for presentation to the membership at the Annual General Meeting on January 13, 2009. Thanks, Mike, for all your work on this draft document. 5. Hey, gang, make sure you have Nov. 29th marked on your calendar. That’s our OLPC Christmas Social and a great time for new and ‘old’ members to get together and have a good dinner, a good visit, and a good time. Please bring a favorite pot-luck dish for dinner, and a generic present valued at $10.00. Happy Hour starts at 6:00p.m. at Casitas Del Sol Clubhouse, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m., and a fun time til ..........you call it. Come out, everyone, for an evening of good fun and an opportunity to wish your paddling buddies a Merry Christmas!!!TIME TO GET THINKING ABOUT YOUR WINTER FITNESS PROGRAM!Let’s get out there keeping fit one way or another...exercising at the gym, playing squash, hiking, pole walking, joining aerobics, yoga, line dancing, going cycling or curling, ...the possibilities are endless...as the kids say, just do it!!!

Local Paddlers Challenge Gold Medal Race

On July 12th, local women dragon boaters travelled to Kelowna to compete in the third annual Kelowna Dragon Boat Club Women’s Race. The race venue, Tugboat Bay on Water Street, was buzzing with activity by 8:00 am when 10 dragon boat clubs from the south end of the Okanagan Valley to the north, all clad in brightly colored shirts and pfd’s, met to stake out their race site and set up their club’s sun tents for protection. By 9:30, am, two beautifully decorated ‘dragons’ kicked off the day’s festivities by delighting the crowd with their dragon drum dances. The race had begun.

Each team had two heats in which to accumulate their fastest times to qualify for the gold, silver, or bronze division final heats. The Osoyoos Desert Spirit team, in their goldenrod shirts and pdf’s, getting off to a quick start in each of the first two heats to cross the finish line two seconds the first place teams, Paddling Your Assets and Busting Loose from Kelowna.


The desert spirit definitely was evident when the local team’s combined race times placed them in the final Gold Division race in contention for the gold medal. The afternoon waters were busy and rough but the local team fought hard to the finish line, coming in a close third. Although the team didn’t bring home the gold medal, paddlers and supporters came home jubilant just the same. This was the first time they had come so close to the two zone and provincial caliber racing teams from Kelowna.

Who knows? With a little more winter conditioning, and dedicated summer practicing in the big boat, perhaps next year the gold medal will come home with the Desert Spirit team.

President's HIghlights June 5th-2008

HAPPY JUNE, Dragon Boat members.

We have to keep telling ourselves it is June despite the April weather!!We are well into our 08 season now and the pace is starting to pick up...both in the water and out...or is that just me trying to catch up to all you well-conditioned, toned muscled paddlers .
Our first month of special practices for new members has been busy and included an exciting Sunday, June 1st, when our big boat, the Millennium, arrived from Victoria. It is great to hear the positive comments from paddlers who are enjoying ‘her’ {shall we call it Millen or Millie or Desert Dragon 2 (DD2?)}. A big thank you to paddlers for coming out for the arrival, and for supporting our new members during their first month of dragon boating!!Having the big boat affords us the luxury of using either boat, depending on the numbers out and the weather conditions. If you haven’t had a chance to paddle in the Millennium yet, get on out to practice with your selected team so the boat goes out. It will take some experimenting for each of us to find the most comfortable seat in this boat. Our minimum numbers to take the boats out will be 12 for the Millennium and 8 for Plastex . It would be fantastic to see both boats out some nights so we can start getting into the fun and excitement of the race mode!!

NEWS ITEMS FROM DIRECTORS AND COACHES/STEERERS MEETINGS:1. RACE REGISTRATIONS: July 5 – Okanagan Sprints (250 meters)- Penticton- Mixed Team (ladies team possible if sufficient interest.) July 12- Ladies Race- (500 meters)- Kelowna September 6&7- Annual Penticton Dragon Boat Festival- ( 500 meters) - Mixed Team *September 10-13 – B.C. Senior Games – deadline for Seniors Team registration- July 10- participants, non- participants- July 22

2. SCHEDULE AND TIME CHANGES:Beginning next week, June 9, we will start a slightly revised schedule. Please make a note of the following general schedule and time changes in an effort to accommodate most paddlers ,and we hope, give each coach at least one or two opportunities to paddle as well. : *(there may be the odd change when coaches or steerers are away.) All paddlers should try to get in a minimum of two and a maximum of 3 practices a week, ideally allowing one day between hard workouts for muscle rest and repair.
Mondays: New Time- 6:15 pmOpen Paddle: for any member who wishes to get in extra stroke or conditioning or pure pleasure practice.Coaches: Sharon P/Marg d. Steerer: Mike d.

Tuesdays: New Time – 6:15 pm Mixed Team: those members wishing to condition and practice with the Mixed Racing TeamCoach: Marg C. Steerer: Tom B.
Wednesday: New Time- 6:15 pmLadies Team: for those members wishing to condition and practice with the Ladies Racing Team.Coach: Jackie G Steerer: Guiv G./Bob S.

Thursday: Same Time - 8:45 am Seniors Team: for those members 55 or older who wish to condition and practice with the Seniors racing Team.Coach: Marg C. Steerer: Mike d.

Friday: New Time – 6:15 pmMixed Team: for those members wishing to condition and practice with the Mixed Racing TeamCoach: Jackie G. Steerer: Mike d.

3. RELAY FOR LIFE: JUNE 21-22 REGISTER NOW – ON-LINE OR SEE INGRID.

We need quite a few more members to join our Relay for Life Team for this special event. Our club has entered this event for the past two years and we hope to have a good turnout again this year. It is for a worthy cause, it is lots of fun, giving us time to socialize and get to know our members and townsfolk better. Sign up now or tell Ingrid you are interested.

4. CHERRY FIESTA PARADE: JULY 1.We would appreciate three members volunteering to help the Marketing Committee (Wendy-chair) in preparation for an excellent showing of our Club on July 1st. Because we have “Stanley”, our handsome dragon, there are only a few logistical details that the Committee needs to handle. We have won several special ribbon awards for our participation in the past and just received a certificate from the Town of Osoyoos for our contribution to the ‘fabric of life’ in the area. So let’s book this day to participate and advertising our Club. We have some of our bright cotton yellow shirts and a few ‘wick’ available for sale so if you need one, please see Wendy or Sue T. at practice. That’s all for now, paddlers. If you have questions about any items above, talk to one of the coaches or board members*. *2008 Member Handbooks ( and updates) will be out shortly. See you on the water. Remember, dragon boating is team spirit! Jackie

A letter form the President -April 26th

Good morning, Everyone. We had such a good turnoutlast Sunday to clean and move the boat to the Holiday Inn Marina that Tom B. had to chauffeur a car back to the hotel, and Sue and Peenta enjoyed a free ride in the front of the boat. Peenta may want to come every time now. It was great fun, and interesting to feel the three different water temperatures, from not bad in Solana Bay to cool out into the lake proper, to chilly in the under the bridge. The wind was blowing the water a bit choppy but the crew looked like they’d never been away. We put Plan B into operation for dinner as it was too windy and cool to have a fire on the beach so Guiv and Linda stoked up the BBQ’s at her place and we had great appies, hot dogs, salads, baked beans, desserts, and all the trimmings. A few games of shuffleboard and darts added to a good time by all. Huge bouquets to Adele and Hal once again for providing a winter home for Desert Dragon, to Linda and Guiv for being such gracious hosts. All and all, a wonderful kickoff to the exciting 2008 season ahead.

OPEN HOUSE: Just a reminder that the Open House and Introductory Clinic for new members will be held Saturday, May 3rd, 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Holiday Inn. We hope to see many of you out in your yellow shirts to welcome new members to our Club and help with one on one stroke tutoring and taking the boat out.
We will need a number of people out at 11:00 am to help set up the tent and prepare the site for the session starting at 1:00 pm with registration.
** Remember, there may be a bonus for the member who brings the most, new, permanent members into the club each year.

.

Preisdent's Highlights's #2 April 2nd. 2008

HAPPY SPRING, everyone...but maybe it’s an April Fool’s joke??

THE PUSSYWILLOWS ARE FINISHED, THE DAFFODILS AND IRISES HAVE POKED OUT OF THE GROUND, BUT WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY THAT WHITE STUFF KEEPS COVERING OUR MOUNTAINTOPS AND CHILLING THE AIR TEMPERATURE? JUST WHEN I GET THE URGE TO TEST THE WATER, IT HAPPENS AGAIN.

Perhaps a better description for this time of year is: It’s Spring in the sunshine and winter in the shade!
NEWS FLASH

“It’s a couple of birds…no, it’s a couple of kayaks…no, it’s a couple of canoes…no, it’s a couple of dragon boats.... and they’re both full of paddlers having a terrific time conditioning and racing.”

Yes, Members, exciting news. We have secured a big boat! The Board and Special Committee took advantage of the Demo Dragon Boat Sale from Go Rowing and Paddling, and purchased one of the 47’ used, fibreglass Millenium boats. Bob S. and Henry J. made a quick trip (18 hr. day) to Victoria to scrutinize the boats, which were going fast, and selected the one in best shape. We feel this boat, with a few scratches and nicks which are being repaired, is better value for $9800 plus taxes than a brand new one for $18,000 plus taxes. Our Club will also benefit from piggy-backing on a shipment of boats going to Princeton so our delivery price will be greatly reduced. We hope to take delivery of our Millenium by the end of the month but by first week of May at the very latest. We will have 24 paddling spaces in the big boat to fit a whole racing team comfortably and have the small boat available for training new members and practice races. Big thanks to Bob and Henry for their time and energy!! So avid paddlers, let’s get busy recruiting more new members for our Open House on May 3rd. I hope to see five new ladies from Oliver, and Tom B. has recruited one new man from Osoyoos. Can you match us?? There just might be a super prize for the member who recruits the most new members for 2008.

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS
1. Regrets:A)The Board has accepted, with regret, Margaretha H. resignation, for personal reasons, from the director’s position. Margaretha, we look forward to seeing you at Club functions and really hope your shoulder will allow you to paddle with us this year and in subsequent years. Perhaps you will be able to accept the position of Director in the future. The Board will operate with seven directors for the time being but would welcome and appreciate hearing from any interested members who might wish to serve as director on the Board for the 2008-2009 seasons. All Director’s meetings are open and we invite anyone interested to sit in to get an idea of Board work.

B)Margaret d S. sends her regrets that she will not be able to coach or paddle until such time as her doctor gives her the okay. We hope the specialist will track down the problem very soon and we will see her lovely white head in the boat as soon as possible. Until then, Marg, we send you our positive, healing energy and wish you a very speedy recovery. We hope to see you also at Club functions as much as possible.

2. TCPM DAY: Prior to the Open House on May 3rd, we will be hold a TCPM Day on Saturday, April 26 @ 3:00 p.m. to Turn, Clean, Wash and Move the boat to the Holiday Inn, followed by a Wiener Roast on the beach at at Rachel's- contact a member for directions. Within walking distance of the Holiday Inn (weather permitting.) Please bring your own beach chairs, roasting rods or sticks, and drink.
Please advise Rachel by email -if you can bring one of the following: a package of wieners, a package of buns, a jar of hot dog relish, a jar of mustard, and, of course, marshmallows.

3. FIRST PADDLE: There will be two paddles for members the week before the Open House, Monday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 30 @ 5:45 p.m. This will give members time to get registered and tuned up a bit before taking out new paddlers on May 3rd.

4. OPEN HOUSE: Just a reminder that the Open House and Introductory Clinic for new members will be held Saturday, May 3rd, 1:30 to 4:00 pm at the Holiday Inn. We hope to see many of you out in your yellow shirts to welcome new members to our Club and help with one on one stroke tutoring and taking the boat out. We will need a number of people out no later than 12:30 p.m. to help put up the tent.

5. FUNDRAISING: Given our positive financial situation, the Board felt there was no real need at this time to pursue the cookbook project. We suggest continuing with the Elks Bingo if it runs this year, and if October is available. However, as we seem to have been bumped from October to December, we have declined participation at this time.

6. SENIORS RACING TEAM:
A) A big thank you to members who provided baking for the Zone 5 Bake Sale last month in Penticton, despite rather late notice. B) We have booked 20 rooms at the Ramada Inn at a reduced price of $104.00 per night, double occupancy, for the BC Senior Games, September 10-13. As the Ramada has a 30 day cancellation policy, and accommodations were rapidly disappearing last month, we felt it was wise to book immediately. Once practices get underway, we can work on firm commitments from those able to take part in the Senior Games. Both Penticton and Kelowna have Senior teams and have been in touch with our club regarding some fun race preparation activities. Kelowna Seniors are working on adding a Master’s Race to the Kelowna Women’s Race on July 12. This would enable most of our men to take part in the racing that day in addition to their role as the best –looking cheerleaders on the beach. ***********************************************************************Paddlers, it won’t be long now until we are on the water again. Enjoy the sunshine warming our lake and encouraging us to get fit for paddlling. Delight and I are still pole-walking on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Time changes to 2:30 pm next week, Tuesday, April 8th. We meet at the Holiday Inn Marina on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Join us and get a good workout on the beach. If you can’t make these times, be sure to get out there in the sun working those arms and legs. Remember, dragon boating is team spirit! See you soon.Jackie