Adventures in Kuala Lumpur

OMG, Lisa, Carolyn and Nancy have nothing

to hold on to!

Before the plunge

The elephant decides to dump us and go for a Swim!

So, we go swimming in elephant poop.

Nancy and Carolyn and "friends" at the foot

fish spa - their feet have never been softer!

Lisa and Carolyn get a Hindu "blessing"

Miscellaneous afterthoughts.

Notice the glassy stare of the champion
swimming pool chicken fighter as she peers
from behind the foliage - selecting
her next victim.







"Do you think that if I have too many
beers it'll make my hips bigger?"
Yes dear, and that can of Pringles
won't help either.


And they say that guys are not too bright.
Sitting under the pool-side waterfall
in the heat and humidity looks pretty smart to me.

Home from KL

hello all, sorry we were not able to get the final stats on the web, but it has been pretty hectic the last 3 days and internet access is a bit limited at times.
Wasabi proudly is coming home with 4 medal from worlds. Grand Masters mixed proudly earned a bronze in 500 meter. Wasabi GM Women earned a bronze in 2000 meter, silver in 200 meter and bronze in 500 meter, missing silver by less than 7/10 of a second. Not even a dragons hair.
Wasabi Premier Women had a tough bracket with 21 competitors from around the world, all there to prove who is best. Even with this tough racing, I believe they came in 10th. Not bad women !!!
Besides the wonderful time we all had, Wasabi has shown the world that we are a well-rounded, competitive, gracious team.
The race area was a bit barren, but the competition was well run and a joy to compete in. It was apparent that Penang was proud that they were sponsoring the games. The locals knew who was competing and who was winning. One day my group stopped at the batik factory on the way down the hill. The proprietor knew that we had won a metal the day before. Overall, an incredible experience. It is such a priviledge to have competed.
The next day we all went our separate ways. The group I joined for a brief time enjoyed a trip to the Highlands to stay at the Equator Hotel. It was like having a view from the top of the world. The next day we spent several hours at the BOH Team farm and factory. What a sight. It is hard to show in a picture, the steep hills. The workers carry a wicker basket on their back, cut and scoop the leaves in the basket until full. They are paid by pound of leaves. If you are a human Billy goat with incredible stamina, you have a good future toiling in the tea fields.
That night we ended up in Kuala Lampur. Imagine, Disney Land, Las Vegas and Hong Kong on steroids and you might get an idea of the strip our hotel was on. Quite different than the placid beaches we had spent the last week at.
Over the next few days when I recover from jet lag and my return to work, I will be downloading more photos. Please visit this Flickr link and the others that Larry listed.
Also, if you have photos to contribute, please let me know and I will post them for you.

More of the Kek Lok Si temple

GM Mixed picture pose after the Bronze

Pants, I need no pants!

More photos to be seen:
Gene's: -- http://flickr.com/photos/genestatic and
All Wasabi: --http://flickr.com/groups/wasabipaddlingclub

Malay + Wasabi

Kung Fu, Dragon Style

Races are Over

It is Tuedsday is the U.S. and some of us are home. It is Wednesday on the other side of the International dateline and many of the club members are on their extended vacations.
Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam and some little island where the diving is supposed to be real good (enjoy Connie) plus others. Safe journey's to all.

Stayed tuned to the blog spot for more updates and pictures.

Mornings in Penang

Mornings arrive
like a call to prayer
over the China Sea.

He calls the sun to rise
above blue mountains
arms outstretched
over Penang.

He calls heat to rise
like fog, calls the sea
to the sand, calls the crab
to shore, sand shuffling
under its feet.

Dogs resting on the beach
lift their heads
sniff the new day.

Cultural Side - Kek Lok Si Temple

The expansive Kek Lok Si temple overlooks Georgetown, Penang's largest city.

Some team Burn members were taking in the culuture and in search of a little team luck when they arrived at the temple. For a contribution to the construction they were able to enscribe one of the roof tiles that will protect the Guan Yin Bodhisaliva statue. The statue is proclaimed to be the tallest of its kind in the world at 120 feet tall. It is constructed of bronze and will be protected by a roof held by 16, 200 foot tall, dragon pillars. The Wasabi Burn tile will be one of thousands protecting the statue and giving the team good luck.

Laurie Hansen

Saturday - Start of Jersey trade day

One of the taditions at the World Championships is trading race jerseys with other countries. Here the lovely Meghan is modeling one of the only "Tiger style" race jerseys scored from the Malaysian team. (And you all thought there would never be another Marilyn Monroe).

There were several Malaysian teams at the event. It seems that the Wasabi jerseys were particularly popular with the Malaysians as their jerseys were with us. You'll see many Malasian jersys at practice in the coming weeks.

More to come with race results. Please be patient as they are not recorded in a timely fashion.

Friday by the pool and some of Saturdays results

As you can see Wasabi Burn members Tracey and SaTina decided on a chicken fight in the pool Saturday afternoon. Satina (and Terry) won the best two out of three.

Saturday started out as another brutally hot and humid day. As the afternoon deepened so did a layer of clouds cooling things off by about 10 degrees. The afternoon also saw the Grand Masters Mixed team win the Bronze Medal in the 500 meter, edging out "Eat Trout" and "Pond Scum" from Canada. First palce went to Heat (Canada) and Burleigh (Australia).

Wasabi Burn earned a second place finish in the minor final of the 500 meter. A very hard fought race against primarily Asian teams.

Pictures and more race results to follow.

Tomorrow is the Womens 500 meter races followed by the closing paddlers party. Everyone will then be heading back home or on extended trips to various locales.

bronze and silver for GM women

Today started out well, we learned that the GM women earned a bronze medal for the 2000 meter race.
We arrived just in time to marshall for the 200 meter race. We were first in our heat. For the final, we received a silver. Not bad for a days work.
GM women are given a day off from racing tomorrow while the rest of the teams are continuing competition in the 200 meter races.
Go Wasabi !

Friday 200 meter day

In the center of the picture is what they call the floating Mosque. Each morning John and I wake up at 5:30am to the call to morning prayer being broacast from the Mosque. Because we are on the 25th floor it is pretty easy to hear in the dark and silence of the early morning it is actually quite a beautiful thing.

Speaking of beautiful things there were a couple of them today from the Mixed 200 meter races. (As I write this the Women's teams are still on the race course but I am back at the hotel earger to finish this blog and head for the cold Tiger beer waiting for me at pool side.) Wasabi Burn (the Premier Mixed team) and the Grand Masters Mixed team traveled to Penang 2 male paddlers short of the permitted 12 for the mixed division. Coach Sue and Polly had agreed to cross-roster Chris, Jim, Kirk and Larry so each crew could race with 12 male paddlers. As fate would have it, the GM Mixed team landed in the Finals for the 200 meter which placed them right after Wasabi Burns 2nd heat of the day.

In a true show of club spirit Wasabi Burn raced short two paddlers in order to give GM Mixed the greatest possbile opportunity in the finals (beautiful thing 1).

Wasabi Burn racing two paddlers short gave a very respectable showing in their heat pushing the Canadian teams. It wasn't enough however to land them in the Premier Mixed final. GM Mixed finished 4th in the 200 meter finals with a time of 48.6 seconds, 1.08 seconds out of first place and less than 1/2 a second out of second place (beautiful thing 2), thanks in a big way to the selfless support of our Wasabi Burn teammates.

Set the bar high, accept nothing less, strive for perfection and lead by example. Thank you all.

Larry

Squat

Stand up and squat.

Face the wall, not the door

Hike up your skirt-

watch your feet.

In paddling shorts, it's not easy.

Be careful...or it's no fun.

Use the hose to wash

away the waste.

Not everything is universal.

Not even toilets.

by Piper

GM Mixed 2000

Pictured is Grand Masters Mixed as they round turn number three. The announcer on more than one occasion, during this race, remarked specifically on the excellent tilling by the Wasabi Grand Masters (Sue Fisher).

Rough Seas

Rough seas had some teams returning to the dock in the safety boats as the dragon boats had trouble with the worsening weather conditions. The water behind the dam was quite warm and would be a wonderful swimming hole. The reservoir is part of Penang's municipal water supply. Swimming is not typically permitted.

Life in a refuge camp

today when we arrived all the tents including the vendors were in place. As the Wasabi women had a late arrival, all the international teams were there before us. With all the commotion and general confusion it truly had the feel of a refuge camp. However, it did not take long for us to get into the racing mood as today was the exciting 2000 meter. Speaking of exciting, this morning when the grand master mixed team raced, Denny hit a buoy and his paddle was ripped from his hands. The quick thinking Bon gave him her paddle and started bailing. Why would Bon need to be bailing mid-race you ask? There were such high winds today that they suspended racing for approximately an hour after the mixed team raced. Two boats submerged as they came to dock from the weight of the water that came over the gunnel. The next Wasabi team to race after the break, was the premier woman, they too had some excitement of their own. A little bumper car activity on the corners due to congestion led to some tense moments. Grand master women also had a near miss with a team doing serpentine manuevers , but finished the race unscathed. This is why the 2000 is always an excing race and a thrill to watch. We will have placement information tomorrow.
Tomorrow are the 200's. We are all looking forward to this as these are fun!

View of Hotel

This is a view of our hotel (in the distance) as we return from the race site which is on the northwest side of the Island. The hotel is situated on the middle North side.

Penang the multi cultural city

Many different peoples from many different cultures visit and make Penang their home. Within the hotel a variety of cultures escape from the heat, relax, and play. The photo is a Penang tourist taking advantage of the 4x4 rental the hotel provides. The picture was taken behind Paradise Sandy Beach hotel. The diversity of cultures experienced in Malaysia adds to the thrill of racing. For many more pictures goto: http://www.flickr.com/groups/wasabipaddlingclub

Thursday - Day 1 of the CCWC Championships

The day started with a very misty - almost overcast condition - actually quite nice in that it blocked the unrelentling equatorial sun for the morning hours. As the wind kicked up the mist/humidity haze started to lift.
This is a remote site folks. We have seen Montior lizards and monkey's on our drive to and from the race site. The Malaysian hosts are the most wonderful people. They are truly interested in what we are doing and Mr. Eric (the security chief at our hotel) was amazed that we footed the bill ourselves. He seemed to take a sense of pride in knowing people that were so invested in their sport.
I digress so back to today. This was 2,000 meter day. The races are run as if they were chariot races in anciet Rome. Two laps of the 500 meter course makes for a 2,000 meter race. The difference is the length and the turns. All other races are straight and they are either 500 meters and 200 meters. The turns is where the steersperson earns their stripes for postion and ability.
The Premier Mixed Team (Wasabi Burn) ran an 11:14 (min./sec.) and the Wasabi Grand Masters Mixed team ran an 11:24. Both very good 2,000 meter times. I apologize but I do not remember the placement. I can say that neither team was near the top. Keep in mind that these are the best teams in the World, so running in this league of competition is an honor in itself.

Now I want to say a closing word about the sense of camaraderie that comes from the sport. Today, Sue Fisher stepped in and steered for one of the Dubai teams. Their steersperson became ill and could not make the trip. Also Megan Hinsvark was asked to steer for one of the Hong Kong teams. As of this writing I believe she did agree to help them out. Well done Wasabi!!

The Women's teams are still at the race site so the results from this afternoon's 2,000 meters are not known.

More Later,
Larry

It's not the heat, it's the humidity

Well, we have all arrived. Today we had our first practice. We were met at the hotel in a deluxe motorcoach and driven to the site in cool comfort.

The site is not quite what most of us expected. The tents are set on gravel, the only break from the unrelenting sun is the tent over our head. However, there is a breeze that when combined with body sweat seems to act as your own personal swamp cooler, providing some relief.

On the water with us today, were teams from Russia, Indonesia, Australia, Germany and our neighbors, the Canadians.

Racing starts tomorrow with the 2000 meter. That should be interesting. Opening ceremonies are also tomorrow night. It is being held about a 20 minute walk from here. We will be regaling the crowds in our new Wasabi green jerseys.

Practice

Ah! Air conditioning. One does not realize what a luxury this is until you spend time near the equator. I looked up what the weather is today and the temp is 88 degrees but the web site said it feels like 101 degrees and I believe it. The humidity is 75% which I know has contributed to the constant layer of sweat on my body.
We had our one and only practice at the venue today. I am so excited! The venue is a dam and also the island's water supply. So no spiting in the water. It was so exciting to look around and see people from so many different countries. India, Indonesia, Russia, Australia, Canada, Philippines just to name a few. Race day will be a whole new experience seeing all the participating countries present. For anyone who might be reading this who paddles the water feels sluggish and there was a constant steady wind. Our first race for Wasabi Burn will be at 9 am and we will be doing the 2000 meter race. I am so thankful it is in the morning. It will probably be 87 degrees instead of 88.
To all the people with toilet paper and sit down toilets I just have to say. Be very thankful for such a wonderful luxury.
Peace.

We're Off !!!

o'dark hundred and the majority of us take off in about 20 minutes. We will be traveling for the next 19 hours. 15 hour difference in time.

See ya' from the other side of the world.

from Michelle

WCPA Senior Women continued their great run, beating the Philadelphia Senior Women in both of today's 500 meters, races for the Team USA Qualifier. After the first 500, one of the team members from California described the transition as if we were just shifting gears. Another teammate described being able to hear them call their finish on the Philadelphia boat while we were still in the body of our race. We stayed steady and she described it as a knowing sense of "wait for it, wait for it" on the boat and when Jeannette did call the finish, we poured it on and just surged in classic Wasabi fashion. It's been a very successful set of races for the women having won 8 out of 8 races so far.

more from Michelle

WCPA Senior Women didn't win their last 500 meters but had a great wknd with 8/9 wins. Power Surge won Womens Division A Festival and National Club Crew Senior Womens Championship. Someone will need to move some of the trophies around in the case so there's room for the new ones!

Muscle Beach

It's not exactly muscle beach, but Wasabi members continued to flex their muscles on the various teams.

It was a full day of racing with the festival races also going on.

Festival races were interspersed with the national qualifier races.

Water conditions were challenging and several boats went off their course. Sadly, one of them was the WCPA grand master mixed, who won the first heat against Philly, but was disqualified for losing control and impeding another boat.

Now out of contention tomorrows final race will be for pride.

We don't have all the results from today's racing, so stay tuned.

Tomorrow will also be the National Club Crew race. One race to decide the champion...no pressure!

Early fights and hot nights

Friday was a whirl-wind PDX to LA adventure with early fights and finishing with a party on Sunset Strip

Dauy 3 - Friday 200 meter & 1000 meter races

Today was the start of the US National qualifier races. A very interesting day all in all. I really don't know how all of the teams did. There were too many races going side by side and I was too busy getting to marshalling to really record everything.
What I do know is that the Wasabi GM Mixed team finished 3rd in all three 200 meter heats. The Manayunk/Wasabi junior teams took first in all (or almost all) of their 200 meter heats.

One of the more interesting parts is the noise ordinace in place because of the close proximity of the neighborhoods. No loudspeakers are being used which means we all have to be on top of the schedule and get to our areas without reminders blaring at us every 3 minutes. As it turns out it is really kind of nice not having some announcer who is really a washed-up DJ blathering on about the races which he knows nothing about. You can actually carry on a conversation or hold a team meeting.

The weather is good. Not too hot, sunny with breezes kicking up in the late morning and into the afternoon. The race course could not be better. It is the site of the 1932 Olympic rowing events. The water depth is even across all lanes with only a minimal tidal effect. No current. Dr. Chen even purchased a set of 6 new Champion boats for this event even though he already had a substantial fleet.

More later - Larry

Friday, July 25

Sorry about missing yesterday, but who would think that in CA, technology capitol of the world, this hotel would have limited internet access, also limited access to hair dryers, ice, coffee makers, irons, REFRIGERATORS and no continental breakfast....thank heavens there is a Starbucks between us and the venue. The race sight however, is beautiful.
Want you all to know up front that the world class WCPA (West Coast Paddling Association) Grand Master Woman (the over 50 crowd) today qualified to go to world's in both the 200 and 1000 meters. This will be held in Prague next year. I should mention that by us finishing the race we automatically qualified. I guess the other GM woman's teams were too intimidated to show up.
However, our younger teammates had a very full day of racing.
WCPA Senior (40 to 50) Women shut out Philadelphia winning 6 out of 6 heats, three 200 meter and three 1000 meter races. Outstanding !
WCPA Premier Women took first in one , and second in two 200 meter heats. For the 1000 Philly took first in all 3 tightly contested races.
Wasabi Junior Women won both the 200 and the 1000.
Manayunk Junior Open, predominately a Philly team, but with many Wasabi homies took 1 of three 1000 meter heats.
Senior Open PDBA (men's team plus our very own stud paddlers Kathleen and Holly) took 5 out of 6 heats - 200 and 1000.
And finally (whew, this was a lot of racing, I am exhausted just typing it) PDBA Premier Mixed won all 3 heats in the 200. Manayunk Junior Mixed won all three 200's. Senior Mixed PDBA won all 3 CLOSE 200's. GM Mixed - PDBA won 2 of the 3 heats, in the final heat winning by only 2 hundreths of a second - a squeeker!
We would be remis if we did not mention Coach Connie and her stellar performance as caller extraordinaire. She was back and forth on so many boats today it was like watching a tennis match.
Ok, that is only day one.
Tomorrow we add festival races to the national qualifiers. It will be a frenzied paddling pandemoneum - we're sorry Gwen, our Energizer Bunny manager.

Wasabi in the news!

Just wanted to post a link to a piece that ran in the Portland Tribune this week about Wasabi's trip to Malaysia and Long Beach:

Click here to read the article.

Best of luck to everyone in Long Beach. Looking forward to seeing you in Penang next week.

Cheers!

Rachel

Day 2 from the president

Enjoyed a very relaxing day hanging around the little shops in Seal Beach. I didn't know that there was actually this neat little downtown area. Many, many restaurants, antique shops and boutiques.
We then walked up to the Seaport Marina Hotel and I checked in with the USDBF folks. Remember everyone to tell them the race classification you are in. i.e. Grand Masters Mixed, Qualifier and Club Crew. They have different wrist bands for qualifier and club crew. Also if you are double rostered between crews.
Laid by the pool, went for a swim. Later we'll have Italian at this little restaurant a couple of blocks away.

Larry

Post from our president

 

Tuesday June 22, late afternoon,

Here I sit at the airport catching a plane for Long Beach two days earlier than I need to. The USDBF meeting that I thought was going to be held on Wednesday is canceled but my plans were already made. The upside is my wife and I get a day and one half of vacation to ourselves so it's not all that bad.

I hope all the chickens back at the ranch have figured out the paddle bag thing by now.

See you all in Long Beach.

 

Larry -