battle in the bay news

Pink Solo Cups, Toby Keith and the Cancer Foundation of the FL Keys

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 15:34:07 -0400

This summer, while discussing plans for this year’s May 12 Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival at Sombrero Beach in Marathon, FL, the Operations Manager who is rarely without a sleeve of red Solo Cups raised his cup and toasted “to Battle In The Bay, the red cup tour.” What ended in a laugh was actually the start of something big for The Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys.

Playing off of the hit single “Red Solo Cup” by Toby Keith, The Solo Cup Company has provided race organizers 500 pink Solo Cups and TKO Artist Management in Nashville, TN contributed a Greatest Hits CD, photo and pink Solo Cup all autographed by Toby Keith to be used as a fundraiser for The Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys.

For a minimum contribution of $20 you’ll receive a numbered, unsigned, pink cup that holds not only your beverage of choice but also a chance of winning the trio of country music memorabilia. Collectors Corner of Marathon has framed the photo and designed a ‘trophy’ for the cup so the winner can proudly display the unique, only-in-The Keys, prize.

To purchase your cup and the chance to win, contact Mercy Hiller from The Cancer Foundation at 305-296-0021 or email hillermg@bellsouth.net. Cups are also available the day of the dragon boat races by visiting the Cancer Foundation’s booth. The drawing for the winner is being held at the Last Splash Party and Awards Ceremony being held after the races at Sunset Grill and Raw Bar located at the foot of the Seven Mile Bridge, 7 Knights Key Blvd., Marathon. The party and seafood buffet is open to the public although you do not have to be present to win.

The Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys is a nonprofit organization that offers financial assistance to local Florida Keys cancer patients undergoing treatment. “What we raise…stays!”

For more information about Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival visit www.BattleInTheBay.org, call 305-766-1053 or email lunarchik@earthlink.net.

Recycle, reuse - dragon boat paddle becomes work of art

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:51:30 -0400

How long does it take to create a tradition? Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival organizers believe that they’re on to something that no other dragon boat event does but may be inspired to replicate.

“The wooden paddles used by recreational teams during practice sessions and races get pretty beat up over time”, explained Karen Bowers, event director, “so why not take these decommissioned paddles and have a local artist turn them into something useful again?” 2011 debuted two paddles transformed by the signature style of Key West’s Lady Outrageous, known for her colorful, whimsical conversions of bicycles into Conch Cruisers.

This year’s paddle art, by Julie Elkins, features a sculpture, adhered to the paddle, of a fierce dragon rising from a bed of barnacles amidst a towering wave of water. 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon according to the Chinese astrological calendar and served as a source of inspiration for her work of art.

Pan American Dragon Boat Association, race officials and providers of the boats and equipment for Battle In The Bay trades the beat up paddle for a handful of raffle tickets. If you’d like a chance to win the Art Paddle-2012, come to Sombrero Beach in Marathon for the Fourth Annual Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival on May 12 to purchase your raffle ticket. The drawing is being held during the Last Splash Party and Awards Ceremony, following the races, at Sunset Grill & Raw Bar located at the foot of the Seven Mile Bridge, 7 Knights Key Blvd. and open to the public although you do not have to be present to win. You may also call 305-766-1053 or email lunarchik@earthlink.net for more information on how to enter the drawing in case you’ve double booked yourself for the second Saturday in May.

BITB partners with Cancer Foundation of the FL Keys

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:16:32 -0400

HOPE AFLOAT, ABREAST IN A BOAT and many similar creative names serve as reminders and inspiration for those paddling in dragon boat teams made up of survivors of life threatening disease that courage and support are a combination critical in winning the race literally and figuratively.
In 1996 a Canadian sports medicine researcher wondered what would happen if he put 20 breast cancer survivors in a dragon boat. The idea of such vigorous upper body exercise for this group was very counter to conventional medical wisdom. Breast cancer survivors were told not to do any upper body, repetitive, or strenuous activity for fear of creating even more health risks to their already ravaged bodies.
As Dr. Don Mackenzie suspected, the paddling was not bad for these ladies, but good. Dragon boating not only improved strength and flexibility, their immune systems and general wellbeing improved dramatically too. Team members provided emotional support, camaraderie, and an information system for coping with this deadly disease, which affects not only women but men too.
What started as a small experiment in Vancouver, Canada, has mushroomed into an international movement represented by over 300 Breast Cancer Survivor teams throughout the world, in over ten countries, on four continents, with more than 50 teams right here in the United States.
Many other survivor dragon boat teams have formed such as:
Eye of the Dragon – blind and visually impaired paddlers
Gift of Life – organ transplant donors
O2P – kidney dialysis patients
The Strength Within – young cancer survivors
Off Balance – people with MS and their supporters
Conquering Waves – people with mental illness

and many more all over the world.

One of the hardest losses most survivors face is the loss of confidence. Disease robs people of many physical things, but emotions as well. It affects these survivors’ entire bodies, as well as the families surrounding them. Dragon boating has brought these them back from hating their bodies for betraying them. Dragon boating has given them confidence to no longer think of themselves as victims, but thriving, courageous athletes fighting back against this disease.

For survivors, dragon boat paddling has become a symbol of their struggle against disease and their celebration of life - THRIVING WHILE SURVIVING.
Battle In The Bay teams are eligible for Challenge Race categories, one of which is the Gift of Life Challenge created specifically for survivors of life threatening disease and their supporters. New for 2012, race organizers are contributing 10% of these teams’ entry fees to The Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys, an organization that offers assistance to qualified cancer patients living in the Florida Keys and to aid them in their quest for education and treatment, in whatever way possible, whenever possible. As long as 50% of your team has a physical or mental disability, you qualify to compete for a medal during the first races of the day with a portion of your entry fee donated, in your team’s name to this Keys-wide foundation.

Team entry deadline is April 14.

Registration fee discount

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:18:58 -0500

Always held on the second Saturday in May, Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival has once again received unanimous approval from the Marathon City Council for the 4th annual event at Sombrero Beach on May 12. Organizers are anticipating a special year. According to Chinese astrology, 2012 represents the Year of the Dragon and specifically, the Water Dragon. Water Dragon only happens every 60 years. Additionally, legend says that hosting a dragon boat festival brings prosperity and health to the host community. Marathon has certainly been reaping the benefits of that legend as this event continues to grow and thrive year after year.

For a limited time, teams signing up before February 4th can take advantage of the Early Bird Discount and deduct 10% from the registration fee. Enjoy the savings now and have until May to fill your team roster of 20 paddlers, 1 drummer and 3 alternates. You may download a registration form from the official Website www.BattleInTheBay.org on the Team page. Emailing lunarchik@earthlink.net or calling 305-766-1053 can also provide you with registration information.

While visiting the Website, you can subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter that contains updates of social events, tips from John Fernandez, dragon boat coach for the local recreational teams and downloadable documents related to Battle In The Bay - vendor, volunteer, team registration, advantages of sponsorship and pledge sheets for teams that are fundraising for their charity of choice.

Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival news and updates can be followed on Twitter and you can become a Fan on Facebook by accessing the links located on the official Website

Message from the event director

Tue, 17 May 2011 14:07:01 -0400

It is with the support of our loyal, returning and new, enthusiastic sponsors, advertisers, volunteers, vendors, spectators and of course, the dragon boat teams providing the thrilling race action that enable the organizing committee to wrangle this circus into the greatest tropical dragon boat show north of the equator. City of Marathon’s Sombrero Beach is a big top venue attraction and the Tourist Development Council DAC III’s continued confidence earn both of these ringmasters the spotlight of our gratitude.

To the visiting dragon boat teams and helmsmen - thank you for choosing our beachin’ event as a destination. It is our goal to be the best host that we can by staging a day of serious fun.

Dragon boating is a sport accessible to everyone. If does not exclude. It does not require special modification for abilities or disabilities. It embraces young and old, wealthy or just getting by, the weekend warriors and the conditioned athletes. It is the personification of ‘yes, you can’.

I encourage everyone that was watching the races this weekend to give dragon boating a try. You’ll never forget - as you reach longer, dig deeper and pull harder - your first time crossing the finish line.

Thank you, one and all, for your part in Battle In The Bay Dragon Boat Festival. Until May 12, 2012, the Chinese Year of the Water Dragon - Let it ride.