Welcome to the site of the European Dragon Boat Federation

the governing body for the water sport of dragon boat racing in Europe.

World Anti-Doping Agency sends out first newsletter

19 May 2012 - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will be sending out monthly newsletters from now on, the first one is published here. Check their magazine´s website for more information.

World Anti-Doping Agency newsletter #1

Wednesday May 16, 2012 Welcome to the first edition of WADA´s new electronic newsletter, which we hope will serve as a reliable source of news and information for the world´s anti-doping community.

Play True Newsletter initially will be published on a monthly basis, with special editions also produced for important events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the World Conference on Doping in Sport.

The first few editions will be sent out in English and French, and recipients have the option to choose in which language they prefer to receive future newsletters. Following three bilingual editions they will then receive it in their preferred language.

Play True Newsletter is a supplement to WADA´s news website Play True News and print magazine Play True, and an important element in WADA´s efforts to communicate with the anti-doping community and the sport movement worldwide.
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WADA statement on CAS decision for BOA by-law

Statement from WADA President, the Hon. John Fahey, following the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to reject the British Olympic Association´s (BOA) appeal against its non-compliance to the World Anti-Doping Code:

WADA acknowledges the decision of CAS to dismiss the appeal of the BOA against the decision of the WADA Foundation Board last November to declare the BOA non-compliant with the Code.

The decision totally rejects the BOA appeal and upholds the...
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London 2012 Anti-Doping Laboratory awarded WADA accreditation

WADA has granted accreditation to the London 2012 Anti-Doping Laboratory for the duration of this summer´s Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Laboratory, a satellite...
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South African hosts sign World Conference agreement

Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) and the City of Johannesburg put the finishing touches to their joint hosting of the 2013 World Conference on...
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German Politicians Capsize, Become Closer During Dragon Boat Tour

18 May 2012 - On May 15th politicians from the Landtag (State Diet) of Lower Saxony (a German state) decided to go on a dragon boat tour on Zwischenahner Lake in Lower Saxony as part of a closed-door meeting they were having. On board were a number of important politicians: the Minister-President of Lower Saxony, David McAllister, who also happened to be drumming; the Minister for Social Affairs, Aygul Ozkan; the Minister for Economy, Jorg Bode, the Minister for Ecology , Stefan Birkner and the Minister for Culture and Education, Bernd Althusmann. The German press and television media showed the dramatic event during prime time.

Apparently the boat got caught by the bow wash of a nearby motor boat and rolled over in the 11 degree water. Luckily, everyone was rescued by several rescue boats in the area and Minister-President McAllister even said the capsize should not be seen as a symbol for the future of the coalition, but actually brought the politicians closer as a team. The only casualty of the event was Minister Althusmann´s cigarettes, but we all know dragon boat paddlers really should leave any smoking up to the dragon.

News video (German) with photos

Chris Hare - Founder Member of the BDA

19 April 2012 - Dear Dragon Boat Colleagues,

I regret to inform you all that unfortunately after a long illness Chris Hare passed away this morning in North Tees and Hartlepool hospital.

Chris was one of the founders of the BDA and the man who built the first Dragon Boats in the UK and Europe, using as a plug, one of the Hong Kong wooden boats donated to the BDA by the Hong Kong Tourist Board.

Subsequently the Chris Hare boat became the IDBF Standard Racing Boat, which is used and produced around the world today. Chris was one of a kind and a great devotee of sailing boats, canoes and Dragon Boats. He was a man of the Sea and always reminded my of a ´ Viking´ in looks and dynamism.

We became great friends as well as working colleagues, over a 30 year period or more, which started in our canoeing days on the BCU Coaching Committee, when he greeted me with the words - "Hallo Bonny Lad - I´ve heard about you"! Then he smiled shook my hand in a vice like grip and growled, "Welcome to the Committee".

A shadow has passed across the Sun and Chris will be sadly missed but I am sure that he would not want us to grieve for him but instead celebrate his life and times and that is what I believe we should do !

Mike Haslam
BDA President

March 2012 issue of DBI Magazine now available

13 April 2012 - The March 2012 issue of Dragon Boat International Magazine is now available for download.

Also a copy of a recent (8 April 2012) press article on Dragon Boating in Dubai, from the IDBF Member for the UAE.

EDBF Implements New Anti-Doping Policy

08 April 2012 - All Premier Division paddlers should be aware that the anti-doping regulations have been sharpened and will be implemented in time for the EDBF Nations Championship in Nottingham this summer. In brief, the main policy points affecting premier athletes are summed up below. Further details have been sent to national federations with ENC Bulletin 2.

In Competition Testing

With Effect from 1 January 2013, the minimum number of In Competition tests will be increased from four (4) to six (6) tests during a World or European Championships Regatta (Nations or Club Crews). The selection of competitors and testing procedures will remain the same as presently published in the IDBF Anti-Doping Policy.

Out of Competition Testing

Out of Competition Testing will be introduced from 1 June 2012 for the European Nations Championships (ENC), as follows:

On receipt of a National Teams Named Entry Form (22 June for the ENC) one (1) Premier Division paddler, per Team will be randomly selected from the Team List. These athletes will constitute the IDBF Elite Athletes Pool for the year in question.
The EDBF Member Association concerned will be notified of the athlete´s name and be required to arrange for the athlete to undergo an Out of Competition, urine based test.

The test is to be carried out by the National Anti-Doping Agency concerned, at a time and place chosen by the ADA but the test must be carried out at least two (2) weeks before the date the ENC starts (27 July 2012) to enable the results to be received before the Championships commence in Nottingham.
The cost of the test will fall upon the EDBF Member, who shall ensure that the results of the test are forwarded to the EDBF Chairman and a confirmation of receipt received from the EDBF before the first race of the Championships.
Failure by the athlete concerned to undergo a test or a non receipt of the result of the test by the EDBF Chairman, before the first race of the Championships, will result in the athlete concerned being excluded from competing.

Information Bulletin 2 for the 2012 EDBF European Nations Championships

07 April 2012 - Dear Colleagues,
Please find attached Information Bulletin Number 2 for the European Championships in Nottingham.

Please note the return date for confirmed entries and the payment of deposits. All accommodation provisional booked at the Nottingham and Trent Universities must also now be confirmed and any transport you required booked.

Please ensure that returns you have to submit are sent to the right email addresses as shown in Information Bulletin 2.

Note also the opportunity to purchase the boats being used at the Championships at a discounted price

You should enter all confirmed entries, Team photographs and other Team information directly on to the data base (https://dragonboat.pl/ems.idbf/login_edbf.php)

You can log on to the data base and by pressing the question mark (?) top left of the screen access the information you need to obtain your PIN and password before accessing the data base.

Information Bulletin No.3 will follow in May after the confirmed entries have been received.

With best wishes,
Mike Haslam
EDBF President and Championships Director

2012 IDBF Club Crew World Championships additional information

07 April 2012 - Dear Colleagues,
Thank you for your patience, I am happy to say that the IDBF data base is now up and running again (thank you Slawek) and you can now register your confirmed entries, photographs and crew information on line (https://dragonboat.pl/ems.idbf/login_idbf.php).

Also attached to this email you will find important supplementary information to Bulletin No.2, such as a restriction on the number of paddlers in the Standard Boat, the requirement for all paddlers to wear PFDs when training on Victoria Harbour, as well as how to log on and enter information into the Data base.

Information Bulletin No.3 will be issued during May once all the Confirmed Entries have been received and logged on to the data base.

With best wishes,
Mike Haslam
International Dragon Boat Federation

Second Florence Dragon Boat Pink Meeting

29 March 2012 -

To all Breast Cancer Survivors Teams,

We are working on the organization of the Second Florence Dragon Boat Pink Meeting (See Calendar for details), from now on we send mails only to those teams who informed us they are coming. If someone in your team has planned to participate, even on individual basis, please inform us at info [at] florencedragonlady.it .

During the Meeting we will announce the date of the 2013 edition, the Pre-International Festival edition, presumably during the middle of June 2013.

Looking forward to meet you soon
Paddles up!

Florence Dragon Lady
Florence, Italy

Information Bulletin 2 for the 2012 IDBF Club Crew World Championships

14 March 2012 - Information Bulletin 2 for the 2012 IDBF Club Crew World Championships and the Enclosures document can now be downloaded. You can also get them from the IDBF website.

Czech Dragon Boat Racing Season 2012

14 March 2012 - Dear dragon boat friends,
Czech Dragon Boat Association would like to invite you and your crews to participate in one or more of the Czech Dragon Boat Events this season! All races are open to international crews and you are more than welcome!

We are continuing with our Czech Dragon Boat Cup already for the 9th season. This series is for sport crews (open, women and mixed) and on every event we race on 200, 500 and 2000m. These events are organized at the same top level as you are already familiar with from the European Nations Championship 2006 in Prague or the World Championships 2009 in Racice near Prague. All the Czech and Slovak top sport crews are participating in these events there and this is a very good opportunity for you and your team to race on high level in world DB top club crew company!

Next to these races we also organize the Dragon Boat Grand Prix series for fun, mixed and corcom crews for the 5th season. There are 10 events in Bohemia and 10 events in Moravia, each for 200m and 1km distances. A very important part of these races is included: The Dragon Boat Party for all participants!

New for the 2012 season is the Czech Dragon Boat Tour! This is a new series of 7 long-distance races varying from 2 kilometers to a real marathon: 42.195 kilometers! Now there is a challenge for you!

We hope that you will choose to join one of our races from the Czech Dragon Boat Menu 2012! We are looking forward to your teams here and wish you successful season in the Year of the Dragon!

You can download the full program here, but most of the races are also announced on the calendar. And of course you can find more information on the Czech Dragon Boat Federation website.

Petr Klima
Czech Dragon Boat Association

Information Bulletin 1 for the 2012 IDBF Club Crew World Championships

01 March 2012 - Information Bulletin 1 for the 2012 IDBF Club Crew World Championships can be downloaded here or from the IDBF website.

Unique location for a dragon boat race!

16 February 2012 - Nautiques Evenements invites you to a dragon boat race according to a new concept: "The French Gardens Regattas". Dragon boat racing in the waters of a French Castle, just 15 kilometers north of Paris, the 1st International Dragon Boat Festival "The Fun Races" promises an event that brings sports and team spirit to the French gardens of the Chantilly Castle on May 27, 2012.

Find out more at the website for the event. You should also check out Nautiques Evenements website for the video!

Hungarian Dragon Boat Federation case against Hungarian Canoe Federation clarified

03 February 2012 - Further to my email of 18 January 2012 headed "Hungarian Dragon Boat Federation Win Court Case", I write to explain that this heading was somewhat misleading due to a language misunderstanding. In fact the Court case was actually "dismissed" for procedural reasons. Nevertheless, in the Court´s reasoning the status of the HDBF was fully justified.

That is, in the reasoning of the Court as disclosed in the HDBF Press Release attached to my earlier email, the standing and mandate of the HDBF as the sole National Governing Body for Dragon Boating in Hungary was confirmed. This was the main aim of the HDBF in bringing such a case in the first place.

Given such rulings and as the HDBF had not asked the Court to ban the HCF from practicing Dragon Boating, they decided not to appeal against their case´s rejection.

For the HDBF the rulings by the Court in confirming their status as the legally recognized governing body for the Sport in Hungary, was the most important thing.

All the details in the earlier HDBF Press Release have been re-confirmed by the HDBF as correct and the reasoning which formed part of the Court´s judgment, is now the basic reference for any future court case concerning the Sport in Hungary. Please make the above facts clear to your own Members (including the email heading) and also through the same medium of distribution that you may have given to my email of 18 January 2012.

Mike Haslam
IDBF Executive President

Your opinion matters!

27 January 2012 - The EDBF is there for the paddlers, not the other way around. And so is this website: It is here for you. Because we want to know if we are doing our job well, or if we can improve, we would like to invite you to participate in a little survey about the EDBF Website. Its just three questions, that will take less than 5 minutes to answer, but it will help us to improve the website so that it gives you what you need.

Please help us improve our services to you and fill out the survey here.

Thank you very much for your help from the EDBF Web Team!

Information Bulletin 1 for the 2012 EDBF European Nations Championships

17 January 2012 - Information Bulletin 1 for the 2012 EDBF European Nations Championships (ENC) and the Nottingham International Regatta for Clubs and BCS Crews, to be held from the 26-29 July 2012, at the National Water Sports Centre, Nottingham, England, are now available for download.

The ENC are restricted to EDBFMember Countries but the Nottingham International Regatta is open to Club and BCS Crews from all IDBF Members around the world and crews from Countries where there is not an IDBFMember are also invited to Race the Dragon in Nottingham.

Please note that for the European Nations Championship, all team selection and registration processes must go through the EDBF-member national federation.

I apologize for the lateness of this Information Bulletin, due to some technical difficulties in its distribution.

Mike Haslam
EDBF President

2012 Edition of the IDBF Competition Regulations

17 January 2012 - The 2012 Edition of the IDBF Competition Regulations as notified to the 13th IDBF Members Congress in Tampa in August 2011 are available for download.

Please note that the IDBF Competition Regulations also apply to ADBF and EDBF Championship Regattas in their entirety, unless shown otherwise within the said Regulations.

Your opinion matters!

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