Happy Halloween from the Phantom Dragons!

Phantom Dragons team members participated in the Denver Gorilla Run yesterday (under the team name “Phantom Gorillas”), and were part of a successful attempt to set a new world record for the “largest gathering of people dressed as gorillas”, w/ 1,161 confirmed participants. Great fun, and a benefit for a worthy cause.

Punkin Chunkin’ this past weekend was a blast (literally). Thanks to those of you who were able to make it out to support us.

The Phantom Dragons team managed five launches of around 2300-2500 feet (and one “dud”) with our compressed air cannon, Kamikaze (Divine Wind).  Our longest shot was 2,491 feet, good for First Place in the Air Cannon Division.  We also won First Place in the Theatrical Division for our rendition of the Ka Mate Haka! YeeHaaaaa!!!

The Phantom Dragons (bolstered by some great paddlers from a broad mix of US and Canadian crews) competed in the recent San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival 2K13.  The team moved up a division this year, bringing home bronze medals/trophy in the Mixed Rec B Championship Division. Several Phantom paddlers also had the honor of racing with the Space Dragons Masters, helping that team place 3rd in that division.  Congrats to the Phantom Dragons!!!

Dragon boating made its debut on Grand Lake on August 17, as the Phantom Dragons  participated as a demonstration entry in this year’s Spirit of the Lake Regatta, part of Grand Lake’s “Crews and Brews” weekend events.  Among other things, their dragon boat served as an escort for the kayak race between the Mayors of Grand Lake and Estes Park.  Based on the response, dragon boats will most likely be back again next year – possibly with their own competitive division!

Female paddlers from the Phantom Dragons and Lao Buddhist teams joined forces to place first in the 250-meter Women’s Open Division in the 2013 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.  Way to go, ladies!

Congratulations to the Phantom Dragons on their strong finish in the 2013 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.  The Phantoms won a hard-earned third place in the Hong Kong 500-meter Competitive (A) Division, along w/ 4th place in the 250-meter division and 3rd in the 1000-meter “Guts & Glory” race.  Paddle Salute to the Phantom Dragons!

The Phantom Dragons and Lao Buddhist teams got together for a series of tune-up races to help prepare for the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (July 27-28). These demo races, using DRACO’s 10-man boats, were held July 20 on Union Reservoir in Longmont, in conjunction with the Kinetics Sculpture Race.  After the racing, the Phantom Dragons took interested spectators out on the water for a taste of dragon boat paddling.

The Phantom Dragons were out in full force yesterday, practicing for the upcoming Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (T-Minus two weeks and counting . . . )