On Thursday, the winners of the 2009 Thursdays of Thunder Masters sprint paddling series were recognized.
Men's OC-1
1st: Brian Saunderson
2nd: Ian Whitton
3rd: Doug Linton

Women's OC-1
1st: Christine Linton
2nd: Leslie Whitton
3rd: Kelly Dory

Men's K-1
1st: Mark Shouldice
2nd: Brian Saunderson
3rd: Ian Whitton

Women's K-1
1st: Kelly Dory
2nd: Christine Linton
3rd: Leslie Whitton

Men's C-1
1st: Brian Saunderson
2nd: Doug Linton
3rd: John Carswell

Labels: Thursdays of Thunder

IN PRAGUE: Three members of the Collingwood Dragon Boat & Canoe Club returned to Canada last week loaded down with gold from the world dragon boat championships.Anne Baker, Christine Linton, and Leslie Whitton each earned four gold medals as members of the Canadian Senior Women's dragon boat team during the competition in Prague, which wrapped up last Sunday. The team won gold in the 2,000, 1,000, 200, and 500-metre races.Baker also earned a gold medal as a member of the Canadian Senior mixed crew which won gold in the 2,000-metre, and Linton won gold as a member of the Seniors' crew in the 200-metre competition.
This was the second trip to the world dragon boat championships for the three women; in 2007, they were part of the Canadian Senior Women's crew that headed to Sydney.
"The club is extremely proud and excited by the performances of Anne, Christine, and Leslie," said club president Brian Saunderson. "They were richly deserved, as we watched their hard work and preparation for this year's worlds."

IN SHERBROOKE: Six members of the club - Scoop, Brian Saunderson, Mark Shouldice, John Carswell, Nancy Moorcroft and Kelly Dory - headed to Quebec on the long weekend for the Canoe-Kayak Canada CanMas masters paddling competition. Club newcomer Mark Shouldice carried on the club's tradition of novice kayaking excellence, earning gold in the 35-44 age category, and bronze in the 25-34 age category. In the mixed K-4 event, Dory and Saunderson joined members of the Cascades to pick up a silver.
While I'm still waiting for final point totals, it's fair to say the Collingwood results were impressive given the small contingent of paddlers. More Collingwood results will be posted to the club's website in the coming days, along with pics...

IN COLLINGWOOD: The club's first ever WOD regatta, while sparsely attended, still can be regarded as a success. The club proved it had the 'clean' water and ability to set up a proper 500-metre, six-lane course, and the organizational capability to handle a larger event. The WOD representative who attended and acted as starter, Sandy Bell, generally had very good things to say about our regatta, and there were some good lessons learned by the organizing committee that can be put forward for next year.

THURSDAYS OF THUNDER: Thanks to everyone who came out and competed over the eight weeks. This year we had great conditions for the most part, and only one T of T needed to be postponed to another Thursday because of weather. The results have been tabulated using a complex mathematical formula, and the winners have been determined. Everyone is invited to the T of T season-ending barbecue, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at the boathouse for the 'medal' presentations and the awarding of the official T of T trophies (right now on display on the awards shelf in the boathouse), as well as some socializing...

IN TORONTO: Good luck to the CDBCC Sidelaunchers, as they head down to Toronto this weekend to compete in the annual Great White North Dragon Boat Challenge. Just a note: on Saturday, CKC is holding its annual Mazda Knockout Challenge at Ontario Place - which will mean parking will be at a premium (as in very, very sparse) at Ontario Place and the Exhibition Grounds. The team's first race is at 11 a.m., and while it's usually recommended to be in the team's compound about 90 minutes prior to racetime, it might be recommended to come even earlier in order to grab a parking space. On a brighter note, however, the Mazda Knockout should provide some great spectating between dragon boat races, as some of the best canoe and kayak paddlers in Canada (and internationally) will be racing, including Adam Van Koeverden.