OWLS Dragonflies - News

OWLS Dragonflies win Silver in Tacoma!

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:09:41 -0800

On Saturday, May 12, the OWLS Dragonflies competed in the Rainier Dragon Boat Festival on Commencement Bay in Tacoma, Washington. The 'Flies arrived at Thea's Park before 8:00 a.m. for their first race of the 2012 season. Most of the team drove up Saturday morning after leaving Portland at 5:00 a.m. The 'Flies took an early lead in their first round race, finishing first with a time of 02:28:30 and shaved six seconds off that time in their second round race for a second place seeding going into the semi-final round.

By afternoon, the tide had turned and race times started getting longer, but the 'Flies were ready for the longer sprints having spent the Winter training for endurance in all conditions on the Willamette River. Winter paddling paid off in the semi-final round and the 'Flies advanced to finals where they took 2nd place from the improbable lane 1 where the current is particularly challenging.

The OWLS Dragonflies will race next in the Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race held on June 9 and 10 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, so please mark your calendar and plan to spend some time by the river cheering for the ‘Flies.

See you on the water!

Save the Date! Fundraiser Party on April 28, 2012

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:27:15 -0800

Join the Oregon Women Lawyers Dragonflies dragon boat team as we kick off our 2010 season with a fundraising party at the Lucky Labrador Beer Hall.

Live music, silent auction, raffle and more!

More details coming soon... check back at http://www.owlsdragonflies.org/2012-fundraiser.html for updates!

OWLS dragon boat team is recruiting

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:05:56 -0800

The OWLS dragon boat team, the Dragonflies, is recruiting. We are looking for athletes of all fitness levels who enjoy a good workout outdoors and who want to try out paddling with our group of very friendly but very fierce water warriors. Dragon boating is a great team sport that builds endurance, strength, and wonderful friendships.

It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced paddler or brand new to the sport: come check us out! Our race season is done for the year and we are looking forward to another month of relaxed paddling. Come explore your potential in this environmentally friendly competitive water sport and paddle with the team! No obligation; no commitment. Equipment provided.

The Dragonflies are hosting two informational meetings for those of you who want to find out more:

Tuesday, October 4th from noon to 1 pm in the conference room at Farleigh Wada Witt, 121 SW Morrison Street, Suite 600, Portland, Oregon 97204. This is a bring your own brown bag affair, coffee, tea, water and cookies provided.

Thursday, October 6th from 5:30 to 7 pm, no host happy hour at Paddy’s Bar and Grill, 65 SW Yamhill, Portland, OR 97204.

We're not quite done for the year!

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:34:20 -0800

After a 5th place finish in the women's division at the Portland Dragon Boat Race, the OWLS Dragonflies decided to do one last race in 2010 for a good cause.

On Sunday, October 3, the OWLS Dragonflies will be participating in Portland's Row for the Cure event (paddling, of course), a benefit for Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Donations may be made online here. Please indicate your team/affiliation as "Dragonflies."

Your donation helps make it possible for Susan G. Komen for the Cure® to assist patients and families in Oregon & SW Washington. Of the funds raised, 75% stays local to educate about breast cancer and early detection, provide information and support to breast cancer survivors and their families, fund mammograms for women who are uninsured or underinsured, and fund transportation and treatment support for survivors. The remaining 25% of funds are disbursed to the Komen National Grant Program to continue funding groundbreaking research to find a cure.

Thank you for your support!

ecoShuttle with the Dragonflies to Kent

Wed, 26 May 2010 10:30:55 -0800

The OWLS Dragonflies are chartering a couple of ecoShuttles to transport Portland paddlers to the Kent Cornucopia Days Dragon Boat Races on Saturday, July 10. Be kind to the environment, spend time with your teammates, and avoid the parking headache and shuttle bus situation once you arrive. You can sleep on the way up and celebrate* on the way home.

Details:
To and from Lake Meridian Park (Kent, Washington) the day of the race, Saturday, July 10.
Cost: $36/person
Departure/return location: Jantzen Beach, precise location TBD
Approx. departure time: 5:00 a.m.
Approx. return time: 5:00 p.m (the awards ceremony is scheduled for 4:00 and we'd like to leave within the hour of the races ending)

This year, we have two shuttle buses and we will send the first one home early if we can fill it.

*Alcoholic beverages (no glass containers) may be consumed on board by those of legal drinking age on the return trip. Please pack these items separately to leave on board during the race. A damage deposit has been paid for this express purpose and a charge will be assessed against individuals or teams leaving a mess or causing damage.

Payment:
Please email Robin to arrange to buy tickets for your seats. You may pay in person by cash, mail a check, or use PayPal.

Cash or check: Please send to Robin Seifried, Cable Huston, 1001 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204.

Paypal (preferred method): Go to www.paypal.com and click on the option to "Send money." Enter "robin.seifried@gmail.com" in the "To" field and enter the total amount you are paying for. Be sure to click on the "Personal" tab and select "Payment owed" or "Other" and then follow the instructions from there.

In all cases, we will need (in addition to your money) your name, email address, and your team name. You will receive confirmation via email upon payment that you have a spot on the bus and you will receive a follow-up email the week before the race confirming the above details. Your reservation is transferable, but we cannot refund your money if you have to cancel.

All reservations must be made by Wednesday, June 30th. First-come, first-serve... once the seats are sold, you are on your own!

THIRD PLACE!!!

Wed, 19 May 2010 17:13:48 -0800

OWLS Dragonflies in Tacoma

The OWLS Dragonflies prevented a sweep by 4 Wasabi teams at the Rainier Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, May 15, at Thea Park in Tacoma, Washington.

It was a beautiful race morning as the team faced paddling rivals Wasabi Fury and the Sirens in their first heat. It was not even close. The 'Flies, under the command of their experienced and inspirational coach, Laura Ricker, came in first in this first round, 12 seconds ahead of the Sirens and almost 5 seconds ahead of Wasabi Fury. In heat #2, the 'Flies crossed the finish line first again, almost 4 seconds ahead of second place Wasabi Ferocious.

After the first two rounds, these fiesty women lawyers were seeded the third fastest team in the semi-finals--the only non-Wasabi team in the top 5. Only the top finishers in the 4 semi-final races could advance to the finals. In the semi-finals, the 'Flies again came in first, beating the second place finisher Peace Dragon Warriors by more than 10 seconds. The 'Flies had secured a place in the finals with Wasabi Huge, Wasabi Fierce and Wasabi Ferocious. Could the 'Flies prevent a sea of green shirts on the medals podium? The team hunkered down for its fourth intense race of the day . . . and forced Wasabi to put their brooms away. Dragonflies take BRONZE!!!

Thanks to Kenny (married to 'Fly Polly) for the video footage from heat #2 and the semi-final race:

OWLS Dragonflies' first race is this weekend!

Thu, 13 May 2010 08:35:30 -0800

The Dragonflies will be racing in the Rainier Dragon Boat Festival in Tacoma, Washington this Saturday, May 15.

Racing kicks off at 9:00 with our first race of the day in heat #3 (9:30 a.m.) against Portland teams Wasabi Fury and Sirens Paddling Club. Our second race of the day is in heat #10 at 11:15 a.m. against Portland teams Quetzacoatl and Wasabi Ferocious. Semi-finals are after lunch and the Dragonflies hope to be in the finals at 3:45 p.m.

GO DRAGONFLIES!!!

OWLS Dragonflies and Team in Training

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:11:53 -0800

For the third year in a row, one of our paddlers is participating in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program, training for the Pacific Crest Olympic Distance Triathlon.

This year's participant is Susan O'Toole (pictured below), a Dragonfly since 2006, who is celebrating her 50th birthday this year by raising money in honor of her Aunt LaReece, among other cancer survivors.

To help her in goal to raise $5000, Susan will be hosting a Wine and Cheese Tasting on Tuesday, March 30 starting at 7:30 p.m. at Thirst Wine Bar & Bistro at 0315 SW Montgomery in Portland. The cost is $20 per person.

Donations are also accepted at Susan's fundraising page.

Save the Date! Fundrasier Party on April 3, 2010

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:12:49 -0800

Join the Oregon Women Lawyers Dragonflies dragon boat team as we kick off our 2010 season with a fundraising party at Irishtown Bar & Grill in Vancouver, Washington.

Live music, drink specials, door prizes, raffle items, Wii paddling competition and more!

More details coming soon... check back at http://www.owlsdragonflies.org/2010-fundraiser.html for updates!

Tonight's Info Session - NEW LOCATION

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:30:08 -0800

The OWLS Dragonflies team information session tonight (Wednesday) will be held at a new location - Sungari's DragonWell Asian Bistro at 101 SW Yamhill at 5:30 pm. Come meet team members, hear about the team, and ask us anything you want. No commitment necessary - hope to see you there!