2010 Singapore River Regatta (SRR)

[LaiAr]

Is this what we are using now? And also I think it is difficult to have a fair end when you do not even have a fair start... Not blaming SDBA here, it is just the problem of the infrastructure we have in SG and as much as we enjoy the hype... I guess paddlers will appreciate a fairer and better standard kind of race, imagine the hardwork put in but determined by unfair starts, ending or even lanes...

I do not have the luxury to race in the marina bay area before but I am in for trivium idea... I mean since the area is already known for unable to provide the standard... why not change it.. And probably our race distance should be changed as well to the IDBF standard...

When we have 200m, 500m, 1000m and 2000m in IDBF standard... why are we still harp on 300m and 800m... well just suggesting...

The scoring system used here (and many other places) as I've seen it is a hi-res video monitor aimed at the finish line from an elevated platform with a white line digitally drawn from one finish buoy to the other.  The first pixel of the dragon's nose to appear on the finish side of the white digital line line is the winner, with corresponding time.  I have seen an exact tie listed on the board once I think, but it wasn't in a final.

I do wonder what would happen in the case of a final and exact tie.  It must be covered in IDBF rules somewhere?

[amdragon]

The old Marina Bay races had ropes hanging from that bridge near the Merlion (then we raced towards the ECP bridge), the same as the River Regatta has now.  So, the floating dock method is an improvement over that.  And since I saw that camera system in use at least three years ago, I'm sure that or something better is in use now.  Basically, at the SDBF last weekend, I thought the starts, lanes and finishes were good.  Except the 300m charity race, which was a rolling, free-floating start but since it was for charity I'm not worried about that.

The SRR venue on the Singapore River is a hell of a lot cooler and more interesting than most other race venues I've raced at in The Philippines, US, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, etc.  It's right in the CBD and easy to get to, it's easily viewed from both sides of the river since the banks are elevated, there are bars and restaurants on the course, tourists come upon the races and get into watching, etc.  As a competitor, the SRR "difficulties" are well worth it to me, it's the most fun race venue in Singapore.

[gliding]

I have a new issue, its regarding the type of boat that is going to be used in SRR. As we all know, Champion boats were tested out during the Gallops of the dragons and it was heard that there were plans for them to be used in SDBF. Apparently, Seagull boats were still used at SDBF. So i was wondering if there are any plans to use Champion boats in SRR?

[hellosnowie]

FYI, the (small) boats used for Gallops of the Dragons were not Champion boats. They are the new Seagull boats and it's IDBF Certified.

[wassuprai]

Just wanna clarify some points concerning the governing of the rules and regulations for the SRR.

The SRR is now in its 28th year. When it was first establshed in 1982, the purpose was more communal and business rather than for pure sporting reasons. Over the years with tremendous support from our local dragon boat community, the SRR has grown into what it is today - quite an exciting high energy race. The SRR is the de facto curtain closer for the dragon boat racing calendar.

SDBA started using a high-res video system to capture the end-point 5 years ago. Prior to that, it was a normal video-TV capture. And prior to that we have the Multi-purpose Eyeball. The nature of the SRR, with its short distance meant that teams will finish very close to one another and so the human eye can no longer follow closely. With the high-res video, it will therefore be possible to discern which team crosses the finish line first. So in a close fight, it will no longer be by the proverbial "by a dragon head nose", rather it would be "by the dragon head pixel" =) There is a dedicated high-speed video capture system such as the one used in Macau. But the price is astronomical - US$30,000! For the record, SDBA has been bugging the powers-that-be for funds to purchase this system. Not happening!

The problem with SRR is the geography of the venue and to some extend, the authorities. Starting from Elgin Bridge was deemed necessary because it is THE ONLY WAY to provide for a proper start - holding rope suspended from the bridge. It would be ironic to know for the young dragon boaters nowadays that in the past, we oldies view the SRR's start as the most fair. There is simply no going around the rope start as you can only extend as much as the rope allows. The ropes for the respective lanes are measured to accomodate the slightly askewed racing course (the racing course is not parallel to either river bank to avoid the shallows). So it is easy for The Starter to see whether there was any False or Jump Starts. Recently SDBA began using video capture to watch the start and the entire length of the race due to the technical need to observe collisions. So in fairness, SDBA really tried to make the race as fair as possible where the start is concerned.

We can't use the pontoon start as we did for the SDBF here as PUB disallows it - obstruction to water traffic in the river. And of course there's all those river taxis moving about. SDBA do not have the authority to stop them and the relevant authorities, bowing to business sense, decided to vote in favour of the river taxis. Every SRR, SDBA will be locked in a serious argument with these companies, once even involving lawyers and legal actions. But it is  a fact that nothing could be done less the relevant authority intervenes. So we just have to adapt and bear with it the best way possible.

How Teams can adapt to the river is by first knowing that the river is very shallow and the depth is not consistent from start to finish, from Lane 1 to Lane 5. The first 20m to 50m distant from Elgin Bridge is very, very shallow and the river naturally slopes deeper from the banks towards the middle (where Lane 3 and 4 are). So unlike the clear-cut deep water SDBF race, one should consider using a combination of paddling tactics to try overcoming these natural obstacles for the SRR. And of course there's always brute strength to power your way through. Whichever works for you. May this tip be of some value to you.

 

[boatingkid]

hello fellow boaters!
SRR's end of this month.
any idea who'll be heading down?
will we see teams like Mcsc and SAFSA?
will SIM fight to retain their title(s)?
will NP regain their past glory(being the team that has won the most SRRs)?
will RP spring a surpise to repeat 2008(4golds)?
will NTU roar to victory?
will NYP bite the other teams and show what a POL-ITE champ's made of?
will NUS go 120s/min to scare the pack?
will SP and SMU show the power of JohnGoh(Nteam coach)?
will TP do a 18km/hr and cruise past teams?
will ITE shock the DB scene with a win or two?
will a black horse emerge among the pack and become champions?

what are your views?

[1988boi]

hmm finally there someone to start the ball rolling 

guess this maybe a good SRR for most poly teams as it's move a mth ahead & most local uni only started recruitment only like the end of july??

poly team have been training hard during their term break

so i guess poly team may stand GOOD chance this SRR 
 

[coach]

i tink sp will win cos they Nteam coach leh.. the best in singapore lorr..

[cool]

i tink sp will win cos they Nteam coach leh.. the best in singapore lorr..

hmm doesn't mean u have the best coach you will win. is all about the rowers 

[amdragon]

"The SRR is the de facto curtain closer for the dragon boat racing calendar."

Except...it's not.  I assume SDBA knows that changing race dates around (this it not the first time in recent years, or even the second) really makes Singapore races look "mickey mouse" standard?  Overseas teams that need to plan travel, hotel, leave, etc should avoid Singapore races since the date could change at any time.  I've given my feedback to SDBA directly on this matter also, not just here.

The SAVA Sprints is an established race in Singapore at the IDBF standard 200m distance, and it's the closer for the major competitions in Singapore for 2010.