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!

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:

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!!!