The Killer Guppies Dragon Boat Team

We’re getting close to the Orange Coast College Relay for Life. We sooooo close to our goal. I know it’s getting close to the crunch time, but if you know someone with some extra change, let them know about this event and let them know that they can support us in a big way: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/RelayForLifewithKG

If you’ve been coming to paddle, just a small tidbit, there are three people on the team who are cancer survivors, so this event really hits home to us. Can you imagine not seeing one of your team member come to practice because he or she is at home trying to cope with cancer? It’s really hard to think that the person you are paddling next to might not be your benchie the next day. This event is a unique event that it brings so many people together to find a cure for cancer. It’s not curable now, but with continue support and research, we just might be able to find a cure in our lifetime.

So let everyone know. This isn’t just about an event, it’s one way as a Guppy, you can support your teammate who survived it, is going through it, or might be going through it.

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Teammates, Friends and Family:

We have a chance to help find the CURE for cancer. This disease has affected many of our friends and family members. On Saturday, May 30, we will participant in our 2nd Annual Relay for Life 24 hours Cancer Walk/Run to raise money for the CURE. Please support Killer Guppies by donating money via the team website or time by walking and cheering team KG on the track of Orange Coast College. Your support is vital, please help us! Please contact Kevin Chan or Steve Kashynski for additional information.

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/RelayForLifewithKG

Killer Guppies

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Spring is in the air and so are sales. The Guppies is having their Spring Special. Until May 1st, the 2009 Membership has been lowered to the low low rate of $135. You heard me, membership dues have been lowered so that you can take advantage of the 2009 Season. Your dues covers membership, the Long Beach Spring Race, and the Long Beach View Sonic Race.

So take advantage of this lower rate. You can bring a check to practice and hand it over to Captain Steve or pay online (a small fee will be assessed if you pay online): http://killerguppies.org/blog/join-us/be-a-guppy

Also, this Sunday is NEWBIE DAY!! If you have friends who have always wanted to try out dragon boating, well here is their chance to come on out. It’s going to be WARM WARM WARM. So invite them out to give them a taste of the dragon boating world.

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What better way to end a strong season than spoiling yourself on great food and equally enjoyable company?  The Guppies gathered at George and Ann’s house for the Annual Awards Ceremony and potluck.  Cindy’s famous angel cakes were there, as well as food from Bucca di Beppos and other homemade goodies.

Of course, the captain and the coach wanted to gather the Guppies together to celebrate a year of achievements, as a team and as individuals.  This year has been a year of challenges and surprises.  The Guppies provided in both Long Beach and San Francisco that they were a team that they were the team to watch out for.  Stock with motivation and drive, the Guppies succeeded by making their way to the last race of the day for both San Francisco and Long Beach.

But the team couldn’t have made it to where they were without the commitment of the members and to those who went above and beyond.  Steve started out the Awards night by announcing the winners for the Team.  Only missing 3 days since the season started in February, Harry Tam took home the attendance award.  For his active recruitment, Joe Yang received the Recruitment award, for not only bringing in family and friends, but also his patients!  Apparently, paddling strengthens the heart!  The Fitness Staff awarded Marlon Mendoza and Naoko Odajima for their commitment to fitness, their daily posts about their fitness encouraged many of us to put in the extra effort to park a little farther from the entrance way, or at least for this Historian.  The Team Engine Award is generally given to a non board member who helped out with the team whenever needed, basically they lived and breathed for the Guppies and the awards went to Harry Tam and Rebecca Villarama.

Gary Chan went up next to present his Coach’s Awards.  The first award was for Most Improved Paddler.  Gary watched each paddler like a hawk and out of the returning paddlers, he chose one paddler who stood out among the rest, he award Ming Ieong with the Most Improved Paddler Award.  In addition to watching the veterans, Gary selected a newbie for his commitment to the sport, his always ready to participant attitude, and his achievement as a new paddler, Marlon Mendoza was able to take home this achievement.  And last but not least, Gary choose one Guppy for the Coach’s Award, Harry Tam.

Finally, the last team award given for the night was for the Most Inspiration Paddler.  This award was not determined by the coaches or the board members, but the Guppies themselves.  They were able to nominate someone they believed pushed each and every one of us to do our best and then some.  For the third time this year, Ellen Yu won this award.  Not only for her ability to lead the Guppies to be a stronger better team, but also motivating us with her powerful (almost tear jerking) speeches.

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24 Relay for Life Walkers/Runners,

Thank you so very much for your participation in the Relay for life, especially those who walked into the wee hours of the morning. I really appreciated your time and commitment to this important cause. I know Robin, Andi and Wilma were overwhelmed and touched by your support, but also the family members of their loved ones that were not there to tell their story.

Our goal was $1,200. Not only did we reach our goal, we exceeded it by raising over $1,500 dollars. Thank you very much for your generous donations and support.

I’m very proud of all of you for rising to the occasion and taking such an active role. Together we can find a cure for cancer. I am very proud to be a Guppy. I hope, together as a team and community we can continue to participate in other worthy causes and make an impact.

Again, thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Coach Gary

To make a donation online, visit my personal page

http://main.acsevents.org/site /TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeCa liforniaDivision?px=4959727&pg =personal&fr_id=4274

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Congrats Guppies to another exciting race weekend! I can’t believe the week is almost over. I am still getting chills from Sunday’s race! Here’s the recap:

The newbie boat was the first to test the sluggedy waters in Long Beach this weekend. That paddled with all their hearts and came in third in the race. Up next were veteran paddlers taking first in the first race and a small technically pushed us to 4th in the second race. But not to worry!! Our burning desire to win the gold earned us 1st in the Semi Final round for the 200m race. Coach Gary then decided to give the newbies another taste of the race as they set out to win second place in the final, in which was the most nerve wrecking, nail biting, photo finish. CONGRATS NEWBIES!!!

Also! The Guppies will be participating in the 24 Relay for Life to help find a cure for cancer. The event starts TONIGHT at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. It’s not too late to donate. Please contact info@killerguppies.org !  Or send good vibes to the runners/walkers!

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Clear night? Check. Warmly dressed? Check. Paddle? Check. What better way to enjoy the sights of the festively decorated houses than gliding down the Napals canals? That’s just what the Guppies did this past Sunday. Newbies joined experienced paddlers in some light paddling. We were just one day shy of the Naples boat decoration, but it gave us a chance to check out the various decorations at our own leisurely pace.

Aside from having to paddle in the chilly weather, this guppy enjoyed the company immensely. Not to mention the entertainment, as Kevin attempted to coral the team into singing some Christmas songs—to which he succeeded in getting us to sing “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.” Maybe next year we should consider making money off of our paddling and singing.

After an hour on the waters, the some of the team headed to dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant. With our sights and tummy satisfied, this twas an awesome holiday event.

- caroline:)

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