Welcome to Firedragon's Lair!
We are a Vancouver based Dragon boat team going into its 10th year!
Please Visit our site for details
CLICK HERE:to visit the VO2Max Team
My Dragon Boat Paddling History
1993 Unofficially joined “Just Dragon Along”, a Juniors Team in its second year running. Why unofficial? Because, I thought I was joining some aerobics thing after school. Yup, great recruiting job!
1994
Liking a challenge, I threw myself into a dragonboat for the first time.
Highlights of my 1st practice include: Grabbing a funky smelling life jacket, and a well-used paddle. Then, nervously stepping into a fiberglass boat after having been warned about hypothermia. Not to mention the SLIGHT possibility of the boat tipping over! We practiced out of Lotus Club out at Barnet Marine Park in Port Moody.
1995Co-Captained/Drummed for our now first year college/university team, United Dragons Ablaze. I still haven’t a clue how I chose the entry name of “UDA” over VO2Max! Don't worry, the name didn't make it past the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival!
“VO2Max”, our current team name was coined by a team - mate, Chia K. Tse.(I miss him a lot)
Definition of VO2MAX(vi ou tu maeks'):
n.term referring to the maximum intake of volume oxygen by the lungs at peak aerobic exertion.
1996The first World Championships were held in Vancouver. With our younger original team members graduated, they were finally able to join us to "Paddle for Fun & RACE TO WIN".
1997Happily celebrated our 5th year together and post-race, had a fun trip to Whistler
1998Aqua Toothpaste Shirt Year. Place FIRST in the Vancouver Recreational “A” Division. We also somehow managed to snag the Governor General's Award. Apparently the Race Crew and Volunteers nominate us to get it. After Alcan, we participated in Pt. Moody’s 1st Annual Golden Spike Days Festival. Nothing like pushing your boat off a sand-bar mid-race! good times.
1999Just 5 days before the first water practice, I got ran over by a reckless driver at a Pedestrian crosswalk on Cambie & Marine Drive. How can you not see me? I have a friggin' RED Umbrella?!
2000-2002
After physio, water therapy, and many many accupuncture needle treatment I still was on/off paddling and co-managing the team.
Backpacked & followed the steps of St. Paul through the beautiful and haunting country of Turkey. Beautiful because of the unique landscape, and haunting because of the different aromas and music and culture.
After that I spent the summer trying my paddling skills at river-rafting down the Chilliwack River. Weeks later, I power-rafted down the Kumsheen River.
2003Thanks to a hectic hospital working schedule, I am forced to once again, leave my paddle hanging on the wall.
2006 Guess who's back?! Yes, after a nice long hiatus of about 6 years, i'm back on the scene. At times I feel like i want to throw out the paddle, but something inside me says DON'T QUIT NOW! IT'S ONLY THE BEGINNING!! I guess that would be my soul. Now at last its Alcan Dragon Boat Festival season again... PADDLES UP!
LAST UPDATED: 13JUN06
Visit the Vo2MAX Dragon Boat Team
CLICK HERE:to visit the UBC AMS Wing Chun Internal Kung Fu Club!
Our wooden dummy(before it was stolen/lost)
A typical class is divided into two parts. The first part consists of general training where both General and Advanced classes train together. This allows members in the General Class the opportunity to learn and to gain more experience from more advanced students. In the second part the classes are split into the General and the Advanced classes to continue with their training.
VISIT US: at UBCs International House, 1783 West Mall.
Mon & Weds 7-10pm
ThirstyBeach, AU.
Email ME: POOPYLAMB@GMAIL.COM
