Squad | Division | Place |
---|---|---|
Open | 5th (2:25:30) | |
Women | 4th (2:47'75) | |
LARD I | Mixed I | 5th (2:33'75) |
LARD II | Mixed IIIA | 4th (2:31'78) |
LARD | Grand Finale | 5th (2:29'76) |
LAPD | BCS Division | 1st (3:13:39) |
LAPD | Mixed VIB | 5th (3:11:07) |
Hey TeamLARD,
Wanted to write a quick note to congratulate all of you on your hard work, enthusiasm, and performance at this weekend's race. You all truly exemplify the spirit of teamLARD, in the way you worked together, encouraged and supported each other, in friendship and in competition. What a great job!
So, our veterans were again solid. And what about all our new paddlers? I hope you all had some good rest; it was well deserved. I do want to take the time to thank all the team leaders for your work, in all capacities, from coaching, to organizing the team, food, etc., to stretching and warming up the team, to the captains of the team and captains of their respective boats; you have all made this tournament run smoothly and successfully. Also thanks to our volunteers, supporters, and most of all, to YOU, OUR TEAMMATE!
We did well at this tournament. Our Mixed 3 earned hardware (with so many new paddlers), and we came so close to more trophies and medals (Mixed Division 1 by .09 sec and Grand Championship by .26 sec, outpaced by Ripple). And the Men's and Women's (Division 1) were competitive. Regardless of hardware, those races out there felt good! The competition out there was tough and we have to tip our hats to the teams and coaches who beat us; they earned their placing.
And, at the next tournament, we'll earn ours. I can't wait to take this team up to San Francisco at the end of the year. You guys have been great, and let's continue to work hard. Now would be a great time to bring out new paddlers; we have time to begin with some technique and fundamentals so new paddlers can join us for SF.
There will be practice this weekend though some of us will be in Portland. There will be some fun team events (bike ride, BBQ, etc.) coming up, so keep your eyes open for these announcements.
How about a "L-A-R-D, L-A-R-D, L-A-R-D, GO TEAMLARD!"
Thanks all,
Leon
What year did you start with LARD?
Daryle: Honestly, I can't remember! Sorry! [she started sometime late 2003 or early 2004]
How did you find out about the team?
Daryle: I found out from my co-worker at CSUF, Dana Loewy.
What were your first impressions?
Daryle: I thought that everyone on the team was super friendly and patient.
Do you recall your first race experience?
Daryle: Since I never participated in a physical team sport before it was very rewarding and exhilirating!
If you hadn't been in a team sport before, what prompted you to try it?
Daryle: I tried it because I was inspired by Diane McCabe. I wasn't planning on participating at all, I just went to my friend Dana's house to watch a video of the Pinks. Diane was there and she told me that I should try it out. I said, "there is no way I can do that," and Diane told me how she is a breast cancer survivor and if she could do it anyone could. So I decided to check it out and loved it.
Any fond memories with the team come to mind?
Daryle: Bringing my doggies Ryland (pitbull mix), Kyra (Shiba Inu), and Teague (Vizsla) to practice and the LB race, the road trips to SF, and just hanging out with cool people that have/like doggies too.
Has anything silly/crazy/strange happened while on the team?
Daryle: YES!! When Andy took a writing class I was teaching! That was craziness! Andy was a huge goof. He actually wasn't registered in (of course he didn't meet the deadline) so I had to add him in. He came late to the first day of class too! The best part is that he thought this one girl was cute and was trying to work it so she would be in his group for the group project but it didn't work out! That was okay though because she was cute. Anyway, he hung out with this one student and I asked if she was his girlfriend and he kept saying no.
Any last thoughts you would like to share with the team?
Daryle: Yes, I just wanted to say that when I was practicing and racing I was in the best shape ever!
Hello Team,
On behalf of the coaches, I just wanted to congratulate all of you for a job WELL DONE this past weekend! I hope everyone had a chance to unwind Sunday night, and are recovering well. The focus that all of you carried in to Sunday's races from our successful Saturday heats really showed in both of our crews' performances, and is a testament to the discipline it takes to paddle successfully at a two-day tournament. There are so many individuals that contributed to this weekend's success--not only in terms of competition and hosting for our visiting teams, but with regards to demonstrating the spirit of our team as well by helping to call, steer, and coach for a slew of other local teams.
A big thanks to Ellen Law, the winner (again!) of our "Farthest-Distance-Traveled-for-a-Tournament" Award," and to TK Kimura and her husband Mike for allowing us to store a bulk of our hosting food at their place prior to Saturday. Hope you guys ate it up Sunday evening at Green Field! To all of our newer paddlers, you guys more than held your own this weekend; hardware on your first 'test run' is an amazing accomplishment that demonstrates A LOT of paddling potential. To the veterans, our team as a whole is getting stronger through the example that you folks are setting at competition. All of you are invaluable, and we are inching closer and closer towards reeling in those elite visiting teams.
With the San Francisco tournament approaching (Sept 25-26), I encourage anyone who hasn't already signed up or purchased their air fare to NOT MISS OUT ON THIS ONE! There are only 7 weekends 'til the Northern California DB Championships, and with so much that we have learned about improving our race strategy from this tournament through feedback that we've received from Ellen and Ken (Dieselfish coach), every weekend of practice from here on out will represent a huge opportunity for our entire crew to really test out and dial in our optimum race sets. Though a handful of us, including myself and Leon, will be away in Portland to represent LARD at the Sellwood races, your coach (Scott) and captains (Oliver and Sam) will still be running practices as usual both Saturday and Sunday--8:30 sharp. Now that everyone on our roster has race experience, some of the drills we'll be incorporating at practices will really push to increase that race stamina. With the LB races over, our team will also have greater flexibility with regards to taking out two boats to run head-to-head sets. Feel free to invite out anyone else you feel might enjoy trying something new; it is never too late to pick up a paddle!
For those preparing for Portland, we're in for a good time this coming weekend. Please get that light cardio workout in this week, and stay tuned for more info...
As usual, take care and get out of harm's way--no injuries please! Looking forward to seeing the team again the following weekend.
Are you ready?? 5..4..3..2..1...
Jason
reprined without permission
[excerpt]
Cheng said one of his favorite parts of the sport is meeting people he probably would never otherwise meet. I agree.
Our ream runs a broad swath in age. We have paddlers in junior high and high school while others are older than 60. And we also have people from many ethnic, cultural and professional backgrounds. Participating in this sport has really expanded my circle of friends, but more than that, we're collectively working toward getting better as individuals and as a team.
"There aren't very many sports our there that allow a complete newbie an opportunity to jump on a team with those that are experienced," said Vi Huynh, a teammate and veteran paddler. "It's a very social sport and the most important lesson it teaches, I think, is teamwork -- something I think is very critical."
One team concept that has really transformed me is our work ethic. Our results are dictated by how much we work at it.
Before dragon boating, I only exercised enough with a goal of being healthy. But practicing each week with my teammates has made me realize that if I want to improve my fitness and my health, I have to push myself. I always pushed in school, and I have always pushed in work. But in athletics, I just went through the motions.
Now I work hard every practice. And my workout regimen during the week has taken off with longer running routes and more trips to the gym.
I've found that as I've become a better paddler, I've slowly worked into the best shape of my adult life.
Team LARD,
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of you, the LARD family, for the hard work put out this past weekend at Long Beach. Our performances indisputedly shows we are the best team in Los Angeles. :) Special thanks to 'team mom', Diane, who pretty much helped in every aspect for this tournament. :D
But our season does not end here. Some of our 'LARD siblings' (hehehe) are heading to Portland to gain more experience and tie our bonds with the dragon boat community over there.
Tonight, the 'LARD elders' (hahaha) are meeting to debrief the Long Beach races. There are lots of things to work on and improve to beat other teams by more than just 0.09 and 0.29 seconds!!! So, please come out THIS weekend as we resume regular practices at 8:30AM on Mother's Beach.
So, relax your muscles for this week (I slept for 14 hours yesterday). And be ready to prepare yourselves for San Francisco, just 7 weekends away!!!
L-A-R-D, L-A-R-D, L-A-R-D, GO TEAM LARD!!!
Oliver Lee
Co-captain
you've heard it from oliver, sam, leon and jason. now it's my turn. i'll be short, sweet and honest.
good job to everyone. we can only get better. the red team and women did fabulous. good effort! the black mixed team losing out on the hardware by 1/2 a dragon head in the grand championships has only motivated me to train harder not only at practice, but during the week on the erg, in the gym and on the track. i hope it does the same for you. as for the men's squad, i'm sure we'll have a better tournament in sf!
you newer paddlers, work hard - i hope that you can challenge some of the black paddlers for black seats in SF - nothing like some friendly competition!
for those of you that don't know, i have recently purchased an ergometer (rowing machine) and an elliptical machine. anyone is welcome to use them - during the week or on weekends, just coordinate w/ me and we'll get it set up (i live in alhambra). i also have a squat rack, a barbell and dumbells that go up to 85lbs. if there's interest, perhaps we can set up a midweek workout at my place.
we will be using the ergometer (w/ a paddling attachment) in our time trials for SF.
thanks to ellen for her fantastic steering and her great input. as usual, huay did a fabulous job calling our boats (i've never been so afraid of a sub-100 lb person). we are SO lucky to have both of these ladies w/ us.
another thanks to mike baker - he was one of the guys that spent most of friday and the weekend getting the lanes and docks in order. mike, as usual, thanks so much.
and a final thank you to diane mccabe - even though her back was messed up, she still was one of the most valuable members at the races - thanks for keeping us in order!
see you all soon. train hard.
Scott D. Wu