Sisters at Heart FAQs

Saturday, August 4, 2012 at Burlington Vermont's Waterfront Park

Is Dragonheart having its Sisters at Heart Celebration in 2012?

Yes, we have another winning weekend on tap for you! It’s a special day of paddling workshops, sing-along workshops, racing, food, camaraderie, and fun just for breast cancer survivor (BCS) teams. Our focus is on celebrating our sisterhood. It’s all about paddling together and laughing together. Our Sisters at Heart Celebration will be on Saturday, August 4, 2012. Then our Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday, August 5, 2012. is on tap.  Don’t miss it! Space is limited. Act fast to register to hold your spot!

What is the Sisters at Heart Celebration all about?

It is all about sisterhood and making the most of each day we’re alive! Our dragon boat event is so much more than who comes across the finish line first. Dragonheart loves the joy of racing like everyone else, but we also believe there is much more to our dragon boating experience. We want to offer you new tips to improve your paddling skills, teach our special song and enjoy yours. Most of all, we want to share some smiles and laughter as we celebrate our sisterhood.

Is the Sisters at Heart Celebration for all teams?

It is for breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams only.

How many breast cancer teams will be participating?

We have to cap the number of breast cancer survivor teams at 10 this year because of the adjustment we had to make to the lunch plan. This means that you will have to plan ahead and register your team early to participate.  Registration opens April 1, 2012.

What is the cost?

The cost for the entire weekend is $80 USD per person. The breast cancer survivor teams are paying the same price as the community racers and yet getting another full day of activities. It is really two events for the price of one. This price includes a paddling workshop followed by a 500-meter race; a sing-along workshop; a picnic lunch in the park; another 500-meter Sisters at Heart Champ Cup race; two 300-meter races at the community festival; a festival T-shirt, medal, and hat; and a chance to vie for the Sisters at Heart Challenge Cup. This is our labor of love – a gift to our sister survivors.

How can our team secure a spot?

Your captain will need to register and pay for the team online at ridethedragon.org. She will need to enter the names and email addresses for your 20 paddlers and 1 drummer.  If you have not fully confirmed your team roster when our Festival registration opens on April 1, 2012 , we can hold your team spot when you register and pay for at least 16 paddlers and a drummer. Additional team paddlers, alternates, steerspersons, and non-paddling family and friends can be added later.  Fees are $80 USD per participant and $20 USD per friend or family member who joins you for the picnic lunch and ice cream social. The amount due will be calculated for you on your team registration page.  We request that teams submit a lump payment for their entire team. Payment can be made on-line via VISA or Mastercard.

Can we register team alternates?

Yes. You can register up to 4 team alternates to take part in the weekend activities. The price is $80 USD per person to take part in the weekend. There is space for them to participate in all the non-paddling activities. Your coach will determine which of your team members will paddle in the paddling workshop and races if you bring alternates. Registered/paid alternates will also receive a festival T-shirt, hat, and medal.

What is the maximum number of people I can register?

You may register a maximum of 26 people for your team.  You will have up to 20 paddlers, 1 drummer, and the remaining 5 may be any combination of alternates, steerspersons and up to 2 non-paddlers.

How many races will we have?

You will have a paddling workshop on Saturday (about one hour long) ending with a 500-meter race.  You will also race in a Sisters at Heart 500-m Champ Cup race on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, your team will take part in two more races (300 meters each) in a Breast Cancer Survivor Division and compete for the Sisters at Heart 300-m Champ Cup.

When will we be finished on Sunday?

You will finish by midday on Sunday, so you can get home without taking Monday off from work. Or you can stay and enjoy our unique entertainment every half hour all day long. Enjoy our yummy food booths. Shop for some truly unique items at our Silent Auction and DragonMart. Cheer on the racers. Inspire the crowd. Enjoy our Queen City..

Do we need a drummer?

Yes, every team is required to bring a drummer. Each drummer needs to pay the $80 USD per person weekend fee to take part in the weekend of activities and benefits.

Do we need a steersperson?

No, we will provide you with a steersperson. If you want to bring your steersperson, please do. Be aware that steering on Lake Champlain can hold some challenges. If your steersperson is used to calmer waters, then steering in the community festival may not be a good idea. If your steersperson is comfortable steering in the festival, please let us know ahead of time as so we can make time on Saturday to verify their ability to handle the racecourse. We reserve the right to decide whether a steersperson is qualified to steer in Sunday’s festival. The decision of the Dragonheart coaching staff will be final; the safety of our participants is our greatest concern. If you are bringing your steersperson, please note that s/he will not be steering during the paddling workshop. The staff from 22Dragons will be steering and coaching. All participants (paddlers, drummers, steerspeople, and alternates) who attend will need to register and pay the $80 USD per person weekend fee.

We have some team members who cannot paddle at the moment, but they want to take part in the non-paddling aspects of the weekend. Is that possible?

Yes, your non-paddling members can take part in the off-water activities. Please sign them up as your alternates. The cost is still $80 USD per person for the weekend, for which they will get to take part in the sing-along workshops, picnic lunch, group photo, and ice cream social. They will also receive a festival T-shirt, hat, and medal.

Can my spouse, friends, or family members join us for lunch?

Yes, the cost is $20 USD per person to take part in the picnic lunch and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream social. You must plan ahead for this. Space for the lunch is limited, so each team is limited to 2 lunch supporters. All lunch supporters need to register, sign a waiver, and make payment online. We sold out last year and expect to do so again this year. If we have room at the end of registration, we will open up the remaining slots to teams to fill on a first come, first served basis.

Where is the Sisters at Heart and Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival located?

Our event takes place at Waterfront Park on beautiful Lake Champlain. Use this address: 1 Lake Street, Burlington, VT 05401 to access the exact directions from your location.

General directions: Take I-89 to Exit 14 West. Take Main Street to Lake Champlain. Waterfront Park is located between ECHO (our Science Museum) and the US Coast Guard Station.

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Where should I park for Sisters at Heart and the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival?

On Saturday, we can offer you free parking on Lake Street in a dirt lot right across the street from Waterfront Park. On Sunday, there will be a charge for parking since parking that close on Festival Day will be at a premium. Check out our parking hints to learn about other parking options. Most meters and many lots away from the waterfront are free on Sunday. If you will be arriving by bus, please contact Deb Holland at djeh12@yahoo.com for instructions.

Where can we stay while in Burlington?

There's a lot going on in Burlington during our Festival weekend. PLEASE BOOK EARLY! Don't miss out on these choice hotels and rates.

We are proud to have the Burlington Sheraton and Conference Center serve as our Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival Hospitality Dragon sponsor again this year. The Burlington Sheraton and Conference Center is about one mile straight down Main Street to Waterfront Park. We can vouch for their heavenly beds and friendly staff. Ask for the Dragonheart group rate to qualify for a discounted room rate of $129 a night. Hurry to reserve your rooms at this rate as they are limited.

Burlington Sheraton and Conference Center $129/night
870 Williston Road
Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 865-6600
If you need help, contact Sarah Murray at 802-865-6624 or sarah.murray@sheraton.com

Other local hotels offering Dragonheart special rates include:

DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Burlington     $149/night
1117 Williston Road
Burlington, VT 05403
802-660-7521
If you need help, contact Merrilee Phelps at 802-660-7521 or merrileephelps@doubletreevt.com

Best Western Windjammer Inn & Conference Center $149.49/night
1076 Williston Road
South Burlington, VT  05403
800-371-1125 or BestWestern.com/windjammerinn
If you need help, call Doug McSweeney at 802-651-0638 or doug@windjammergroup.com

Can you recommend a good restaurant in Burlington?

Check out the Dining links on the About Burlington page. Some of our Burlington favorites are Bluebird Tavern, Farmhouse Tap & Grill, August First Bakery and Café, The Daily Planet, Leunig's, American Flatbread, Church and Main, A Single Pebble, Trattoria Delia, L'Amante, Penny Cluse Café, and Skinny Pancake. Bon appetit!

What fun things are there to do in Burlington?

Be sure to check out About Burlington, Burlington Free Press Entertainment sections and 7 Nights: the Regional Guide to Vermont Dining & Night Life for current options. You can learn all about our area and the fun events happening on our Festival weekend.

Do we have to register for the Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival?

Your team captain will register all members of the team.  You will receive an email with a link so that you can log into our system to sign your waiver and let us know your shirt size.  The cost to each team member is $80 USD per person for the entire weekend. We tried to simplify the process and keep costs as low as possible. Please help us by getting your payment to your captain so they can pay for your entire team in one payment with Visa or Mastercard to help us keep our sanity.

Do we register as individuals or as a team?

Your team captain will register the entire team. Individual team members will then be e-mailed links to complete their personal information. The first 10 breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams that submit their registrations and payment will be officially on board. Your team will need to register and pay for a minimum of 17 participants to hold your slot.  Your total fees will be calculated for you based on the number of people that you register. Payment needs to be made on-line using Visa or Mastercard.  Don't delay, or you will miss out on this summer's most exciting event.

How will I know when to register?

You will need to make the plan now. Registration Opens April 1, 2012 and fills up quickly. Captains can receive a heads-up email reminder by contacting us with your request. The first 10 teams registered and paid will be the lucky participants.

Can we wait until June to decide if we are going to take part?

I don't think so! If you wait, all of the team spots will likely be filled. Get organized and plan ahead now. Make it easier on yourself by committing now. Help us so we can plan to make this a one-of-a-kind event to remember.

Did you say the cost for both Saturday's activities and Sunday's activities is only $80 USD per person?

Yes, we are giving you a bare bones price because we really want you to come and join in the fun.