Welcome to Ripple Effect 2009!

This is a new season of big changes. Aaron is the new head coach- bringing seven years of paddling experience to the table, he and his coaching staff will ensure that we have a memorable and competitive 2009. Also new to our Ripple leadership are our two co-Team Managers, Kristine and Anna! They are committed to ensuring that our team is on track to make ripples everywhere we go. Be prepared for a new chapter of the Ripple Effect ride!

We will be paddling hard in five races up and down the west coast this season including: the CDBA Regional Dragon Boat Regatta in Redwood City, the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival in Vancouver, Canada, the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival and San Francisco’s International Dragon Boat Festival. We also offer more than 50 practices this season to ensure we make a memorable “ripple effect” everywhere we go!

For many of us, dragon boating is secondary to the fun we have outside the boat. Spending time together off the water gives us a  chance to see each other in more than a pair of ratty shorts and a smelly PFD. Last year, our Social Committee put together happy hours, bike tours, poker nights, bowling, dragon dancing in the Chinese New Year parade and trivia nights. You can expect this and more in 2009!

We will also be continuing our tradition of community service throughout the Bay Area. Last year, our team got together for dim sum and then volunteered an afternoon at the San Francisco Food Bank. While attendance isn’t required, we welcome you to join in our quest to better the world through what we call “Ripple Love.”

As a paid member of Ripple Effect, you will have the opportunity to participate in more than 50 practices in the 2009 season and the chance to race in our five planned races.