2005 Dragon Boat Team Descriptions

Hydras - Established in 2001, the Hydras - nee HMS Hydras, nee Drag Queen's - have returned to the Kingston festival for their fourth consecutive year to represent their alma matter. The team consists of undergrads, grads and alumni who love a good meal after paddling, and would skip the paddling all together if they could.

PPS Pirates - An eclectic mix of misfits of all ages and sizes from the Physical Plant Services Department at Queen's University who had so much fun at their first attempt last year that they have come back for more.

The Pink Sensations were started as a group of women attending a support group for Breast Cancer Survivors, in Oshawa, Ontario at Hearth Place. After surviving Breast Cancer, you feel a need to be active and really participate in Life. Our team now consists of 25 dedicated Breast Cancer Survivors, 1 Volunteer paddler, 1 Volunteer Helper, and a fantastic coach/steersperson. We are still evolving as a team and look forward to a future on the water with our Paddles.

CHESTMATES DRAGON BOAT TEAM - A group of strong and spirited Kingston-area breast cancer survivors joined together to form Chestmates Dragon Boat Team in March 2002. We are proud to be a programme of Breast Cancer Action Kingston which generously supports our annual operating expenses. The team paddles on the Cataraqui River from May to October in our dragon boat which was purchased for us by The Andy Fund of Kingston. Through our bold strokes, the 36 members of Chestmates share the joy of fitness and the comfort of support with each other, while spreading a message of awareness and hope to others. We are excited to participate in the Kingston Dragon Boat Festival for the fourth consecutive year.

Novelis Navigators - Participants in the Festival since its inception; the name change from Alcan to Novelis hasn’t diminished our commitment to helping make the event a success. Novelis views this event as an opportunity for community support, and building of friendships between our manufacturing and technology employees. Fielding two boats allows for a friendly rivalry to earn year long “bragging rights”. Novelis is proud to be part of the 2005 Festival and looks forward to continued involvement in this fall tradition.

The BMO InvestorLine First Dragons team consist mainly of multi-talented bankers who are loving the sport. This year, you will find some of the usual suspects on the team plus some new faces. This is a developing team loaded with impact so keep your eyes peeled for them. BMO wishes all of the participants in the regatta the best of luck.

Blue Dragons - The Ottawa Police Dragon Boat team was established in 1998 and is comprised of both police officers and civilian employees. The Blue Dragons have evolved into a competitive team, racing in Ottawa, Montreal, Belleville, Carleton Place and New York city.

Two Abreast - Our team of Breast Cancer Survivors from Montreal are now in our eighth season and racing in Kingston for the third time. We are proud to be a part of this league of warriors along with Kingston’s Chestmates.

Roil Oarsmen - Recruited by press-gangs from the docks, waterfronts and watering holes of the Greater Kingston Area the Roil Oarsmen are a disparate group of friends, neighbours, co-workers and strangers. The team has come together mentally and spiritually to form a precision paddling powerhouse.

Fire on Water - Sister boat to the Roil Oarsmen, the team has sprung from the same press-gang. Sibling rivalry plays a significant role for the Fire on Water boat as a distinct personality struggles to emerge. PARTY BOAT is the identity that seems to best suit this energetic paddling fireball.

The Algonquin & Lakeshore Dragon Ladies team is comprised of Youth Workers who are employees of the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, their friends and family. It is these women who work to address the social, emotional and behavioral needs of the children from the Bancroft, Trenton, Belleville, Picton and Kingston greater areas. It is also these women who believe this event will be another means to support children... and have fun!

Kraken is a gay, lesbian and bisexual dragon boat team founded in 2003. This year, it classed among the elite teams at the Montreal Dragon Boat Festival and today hopes to better last year's Bronze standing at the Kingston Festival. We are proud to be affiliated with Ruban en Route, a charitable organization that provides information and teaching on STD prevention in high schools.

The Linear Accelerators is composed mostly of staff and family from the Cancer Clinic of Southeastern Ontario at KGH. This is our 3rd year participating. We derive our inspiration from the many Breast Cancer survivors we have encountered who are paddling here today.

CFB Kingston - The mission of CFB Kingston is to provide support services to more the 30 lodger units covering a broad range of CF operational and support activities situated in and around the Kingston area. There are approximately 6.5000 personnel (regular, reserve, students and civilians) plus families who are supported in garrison. Base Commander Colonel Larry Atken, is pleased to once again enter a team in the 2005 Kingston Dragon Boat Festival. This team consists of military and civilian personnel, military spouses and friends….ready to paddle.