The

Brill stuff, you will be wearing theSony camera out at this rate :PDT11

Another event I missed. :mad:

I knew nothing about it. Who's in charge of publicity in this city? :disgust:

Same last year actually. I was sitting in work and heard the cannons cracking for the start and wondered what the hell was going on. Saw the reports in the Echo the next day but then it was a bit late.

The Liverpool heat of the Dragon boat race was held today Sunday 6th May.

Him with the bumstretcher's on liked himself..
Loads Shoutin' and geein' up from him.


http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/gedfleming/DSC02640.jpg

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/gedfleming/DSC02644.jpg


Superb pics Gerard. I would have never known about it so many thanks. I'm echoing Iain's post about the publicity. How the hell was anyone supposed to know about this?

That fella looks like Kilroy

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Politics/Pix/pictures/2004/10/27/kilroy128.jpg (http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Politics/Pix/pictures/2004/10/27/kilroy128.jpg)

Great photos Gerard :handclap:

I didn't know about the race either:disgust:

Great photos Gerard. I agree with the above, there should have been more publicity about the race. I would have been there, it's only down the street for me. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks gang,I never knew either,luckily I was down that way and couldn't help meself !!.
I like the photo's of the 2 kids...They are definately used to getting their picture taken..they just lit up when they saw the camera...Naturals.

Hi Gerard, firstly can I say that they are super pictures. - The event was the European Dragon Boat Federation League Round. The local team was Amathus DBC, the team in the yellow boat wearing yellow & black racing colours. We actually fielded 5 teams in the event. Just to let you know, Amathus (who are based at the Liverpool water sport centre) won the event, from Dutch Dragons from the Netherlands and Thames Taniwas of London (25 teams took part from across the continent & the UK).

Currently Amathus DBC who are the defending UK National League & Cup Champions of 2006, also lead the BDA Premier League for 2007 and now the EDBF League. - Our next event is in Bristol next Sunday. We are also doing races in Europe this year, with a races in Holland in June and Russia in the Euro Club Crew Cup in August.

As for advertising the event. We have repeatedly tried with numerous areas, including all the local media (BBC Radio Merseyside announced it on the Saturday). It was hoped that we could generate some interest with Capital of Culure as well. Hopefully this may now happen with your superb pictures. Many thanks

I suppose the fact that nobody knew about it helped to keep the riff raff away. :eek:

Gerard, you do get about. We should call you "On the Spot".
Unfortunately, that title has been taken by a right wally on SouthportGB. :disgust:

DRAGON boats made a spectacular sight as they raced along the 500- metre docklands course for the UK regatta of the European Dragon Boat Federation. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=dragons-return-for-annual-race%26method=full%26objectid=19062254%26siteid=50 061-name_page.html)

Hi Gerard, firstly can I say that they are super pictures. - The event was the European Dragon Boat Federation League Round. The local team was Amathus DBC, the team in the yellow boat wearing yellow & black racing colours. We actually fielded 5 teams in the event. Just to let you know, Amathus (who are based at the Liverpool water sport centre) won the event, from Dutch Dragons from the Netherlands and Thames Taniwas of London (25 teams took part from across the continent & the UK).

Currently Amathus DBC who are the defending UK National League & Cup Champions of 2006, also lead the BDA Premier League for 2007 and now the EDBF League. - Our next event is in Bristol next Sunday. We are also doing races in Europe this year, with a races in Holland in June and Russia in the Euro Club Crew Cup in August.

As for advertising the event. We have repeatedly tried with numerous areas, including all the local media (BBC Radio Merseyside announced it on the Saturday). It was hoped that we could generate some interest with Capital of Culure as well. Hopefully this may now happen with your superb pictures. Many thanks

Hello John and welcome to the group,
Thank you for the nice comments about my piccies and also for the Info on the Dragon Race.
If my pictures can be of any help to you then please let me know and I'll be glad to help you.. Gerard.

And well done Amathus. :handclap: :handclap:

I suppose the fact that nobody knew about it helped to keep the riff raff away. :eek:

Gerard, you do get about. We should call you "On the Spot".
Unfortunately, that title has been taken by a right wally on SouthportGB. :disgust:


Thats it then Phil.... "Gerard.. Our man on the Spot" it is then....Ehhhhhhhh I like that :unibrow:

DRAGON boats made a spectacular sight as they raced along the 500- metre docklands course for the UK regatta of the European Dragon Boat Federation. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=dragons-return-for-annual-race%26method=full%26objectid=19062254%26siteid=50 061-name_page.html)


Nice one Kev.

The pictures are great Gerard 'on the spot' I like that.
My mate use to Dragon Boat Race at Liverpool, he went to China to race against teams from China, Oz, NZ.
Good Luck to the Amathus DBC team, it a shame that you can't generate more interest from the local media, this can only be good publicity for Liverpool/Merseyside.

As for advertising the event. We have repeatedly tried with numerous areas, including all the local media

I recall last year's Dragon Boat Race had some link with the police, because the Chief Constable was there. I made the point to him on our fortnightly Q+A forum that it was a wasted publicity opportunity since there'd been no press (when I heard the noise I searched BBC local news, icLiverpool, the Albert Dock website, the city council website, Liverpool 08 and Capital of Culture but found zilch). He said he'd approached the local media but it was as if they weren't interested :Smiliz_Kingz_PDT_13

There was a brief mention and a picture in tonights Liverpool Echo...page 11.

The pictures are great Gerard 'on the spot' I like that.
My mate use to Dragon Boat Race at Liverpool, he went to China to race against teams from China, Oz, NZ.
Good Luck to the Amathus DBC team, it a shame that you can't generate more interest from the local media, this can only be good publicity for Liverpool/Merseyside.


Thanks john,A shame is dead right mate..Somebody somewhere in this council's chambers MUST get wind of the stick they get over the likes of this Dragon race and the lack of publicity they unwisely chose not to give it..
Do they make sure they learn from this stick and pull their finger's out ?.

Do they Sh***....Only Liverpool could do this and keep on doing it.
Someone somewhere wants a good kick up the backside and then a good boot out onto Dale St with their P45...
And No £150,000 pay off or Pension by the way..

Hello everyone, Just a little feedback on some of the comments. In defence of Liverpool City Council, at very short notice they did assist with transferring the Dutch Teams to & from the Airport to the City Centre Hotels were they where staying. In addition they also provide facilities for United Dragons to train in one of their Leisure Centres, and for this everyone associated with the event was incredibly thankful. Many thanks must go to Liverpool City Council's Sport Development Team.

With regard to the Media coverage. Amathus DBC are one of the oldest Dragon Boat clubs in the UK (19 years this year) and also one of the most successful and this includes world wide. We are the only team to have paddled across the English Channel in Dragon Boats, done in 1997 (Guiness Book of Records). Our Club also regularly provides a large percentage of the paddlers, helms, drummers, management and coaches towards all the GB National Teams, (Junior, Open, Womens, Mixed & Senior Teams) who are incredibly successful in the World at the moment. In fact most of our paddlers have a host of World Championship Gold Medals between them. I myself have 1 Gold & 1 Silver World Championship Medals, plus a huge collection of other medals from European Internationals and other International competitions world wide. We are also the only UK Club team to have represented GB interests at a World Championships, done at the 1st one ever in China in 95, as was pointed out. - However despite all of this, we struggle to generate the interest with the local media.

The problem is that Merseyside has so many success stories with many different sports and unfortunately it is the water based ones that get the least coverage. - We are used to this, but rather than be downhearted we just have to keep plugging away until we can generate enough interest.

It is hoped that next year we will once more get to host the EDBF European League Round in Liverpool, especially with it being Capital of Culture year. If we are lucky in getting another chance to do this, we will certainly push much harder to sell it next time and try to get many more International teams to come.

Many, many thanks for all the interest you have shown us, it is greatly appreciated.... Also if you ever want to come down and experience what we do, then you are more than welcome.

Many Thanks John

On behalf of the United Dragons of Alkmaar, The Netherlands, we were very grateful to the Liverpool City Council for providing transport and use of the fitness center. We are also especially thankful to Amathus Dragons for hosting us and to Dave Bangs and John Galt for volunteering their time to help us improve our training program.

The race was a good start for our season. I understand that the Dutch Dragons of Zoetermeer also had a good time. As other posters have mentioned, it would have been nice if there was more publicity as the race was the season kickoff for the European Dragon Boat Federation's new League circuit. Nevertheless, it didn't distract from the kind hospitality we were shown nor the fun of racing against teams of all calibers.

Dragon boating is a sport which has deep cultural roots in Asia but also has special meaning for Westerners who participate in the sport. It is a sport with true team spirit as all paddlers must work together in perfect synchronization to make the boat move forward. While we all have our roles in the boat there are no star athletes on a dragon boat team. Amathus and the Liverpool City Council demonstrated a similar team spirit to us in assisting our trip. It would, indeed be nice as John suggests, if Liverpool could demonstrate that spirit again in 2008 if Liverpool is once again nominated as a European Dragon Boat Federation League race location.

With thanks on behalf of United Dragons of Alkmaar,
-Kim Beckwith
Trainer, United Dragons

I would also like to know if I can have copies of the pictures posted here for EDBF League promotional purposes (non-profit) to accompany an article on the EDBF website at www.edbf.org. With thanks.

On behalf of the United Dragons of Alkmaar, The Netherlands, we were very grateful to the Liverpool City Council for providing transport and use of the fitness center. We are also especially thankful to Amathus Dragons for hosting us and to Dave Bangs and John Galt for volunteering their time to help us improve our training program.

The race was a good start for our season. I understand that the Dutch Dragons of Zoetermeer also had a good time. As other posters have mentioned, it would have been nice if there was more publicity as the race was the season kickoff for the European Dragon Boat Federation's new League circuit. Nevertheless, it didn't distract from the kind hospitality we were shown nor the fun of racing against teams of all calibers.

Dragon boating is a sport which has deep cultural roots in Asia but also has special meaning for Westerners who participate in the sport. It is a sport with true team spirit as all paddlers must work together in perfect synchronization to make the boat move forward. While we all have our roles in the boat there are no star athletes on a dragon boat team. Amathus and the Liverpool City Council demonstrated a similar team spirit to us in assisting our trip. It would, indeed be nice as John suggests, if Liverpool could demonstrate that spirit again in 2008 if Liverpool is once again nominated as a European Dragon Boat Federation League race location.

With thanks on behalf of United Dragons of Alkmaar,
-Kim Beckwith
Trainer, United Dragons

I would also like to know if I can have copies of the pictures posted here for EDBF League promotional purposes (non-profit) to accompany an article on the EDBF website at www.edbf.org. With thanks.


Hello Kim
You can use all the photos if you want as long as my copyright mark is left on them and credit for the Photo's is given to me..Gerard Fleming.

I dont want paying Kim but I would appreciate it if you advised any other parties,Magazines etc to contact me before using them.

You can upload them or send me a PM with your Email address and I will forward them to you Via email.

Good luck Kim/John with your promotion efforts for your great Sport,I found on the day of the Liverpool event that you are a great bunch of people,Very friendly and full of enthusiasm.
I hope my Photos help you get the recognition your great Sport deserves.
Dont hesitate to get in touch if you need any help from me
I will be glad to help in any way I can.
Gerard.

The problem is that Merseyside has so many success stories with many different sports and unfortunately it is the water based ones that get the least coverage.

Ironic for a city with so much water-based history...

BTW, thanks for the input, and welcome to the forum, John and Kim :PDT11

Gerard goes European :)

Yes welcome John and Kim keep up the good work.

You have found a good place to publicise your events here at Yo supporters of everything Liverpool and Merseyside.

Queens Dock, Dec 2006. I took this because of the Toxteth boundary that runs through the Southern end, but it also shows a few Dragon boats.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/216/493480577_8d2bc0abd5.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25632502@N00/493480577/