'Team Without Shoes' a real threat at upcoming dragon boat fest

Young and often cash-strapped, the FCRCC Eternal Dragon juniors are known for removing their sneakers before getting into their boat — unable to afford the aqua-socks most paddlers sport — preferring to go barefoot rather than wreck their shoes.

But make no mistake: the scrappy young paddlers — aged 13 to 18 — are considered a real threat at the upcoming Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, June 15-17. The crew has finished on the podium 19 times since its inclusion in the regatta’s junior division in 1990.

“Some of the other teams envy us because not only have we been very competitive historically but we’re also more dedicated and willing to make a few more sacrifices to gain a few more seconds,” said team manager Judy Chan. “Our race times are often competitive with adult recreational teams, depending on the team I have.”

She might be soft spoken but Chan rules her team with an iron fist. Not only do her kids practise several times a week but in February, she imposed a junk-food ban they religiously follow.

Her tough tactics will hopefully allow the team to finally overcome its nemesis: the Laoyam Eagles of Pemberton.

“Every year we always try our very best but we’re always coming second to them the last 10 years,” said 17-year-old team veteran Rosy Teed. “They are a team of giants. We’re tiny.

“Our thing is practise all year, focus on every tiny detail of our stroke, try to get it perfect. I hope this year we can close that one-second gap.”

This weekend’s competition will also serve as a tune-up for the upcoming Club Crew World Championships in Hong Kong, July 4-8. Thanks to their consistent results and high national seeding, the Eternal Dragons were selected for the first time by Dragonboat Canada to compete at the prestigious 58-country contest, held every two years.

“They’re the only junior team going from Canada this year,” Chan declared proudly.

The team must be on its toes. The Hong Kong contest will be nothing like the races on the calm, protected waters of False Creek.

During practice Monday, the Eternal Dragons had a coach boat speed along in front of them to create a wake, simulating the turbulence of Victoria Harbour in East Tsim Sha Tsui, where a constant traffic of speedboats and barges churn the waters.

“There are a lot of people that flip. They didn’t flip Monday so they were quite proud,” Chan said, noting that those who flip in Hong Kong are also at risk of disease.

“It’s not like False Creek; In Hong Kong you really want to have typhoid and other shots,” Chan said.

Sadly, only half of the team’s 46 paddlers can afford the $2,500 price tag, covering airfare, hotel, regatta fees and the team shirt. Coming as a bit of a shocker, Chan just discovered uniform shorts are also mandatory.

They’ve been holding car washes and recycling juice boxes for the Canadian Blood Services to raise money, but parents have had to kick in, too.

“We’re still trying to scrape it together every which way. It’s been difficult,” Chan said. “Some of the kids’ families are fine with the cost because it’s a once in a lifetime chance for their child. But not everyone can.”

Alexandra Chin, 17, won’t be traveling to Hong Kong, so the Vancouver regatta will be her swan song.

“This is my last year so I really hope we can win this last race at Alcan, beat the Eagles. That might make up a bit for Hong Kong.”