Did anyone else see this in Saturday's Toronto Star? I guess they had a press conference on Friday.


http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1141426212267

Nothing really interesting, except for the very last line....

"Organizers are predicting 100,000 spectators."

I can't believe they are using that number for this too!!!

Why does it bother you?

Who cares.

It bothers me because DB has a bad history of lying to the press and to sponsors. Both the Island festival and the Mtl festival always release stupid attendance numbers to try and look good. Did you know there were over 150,000 people at the island last year... Lots of people go to the island but not 150,000. In Mtl they have announce anywhere from 60,000 to 80,000 at their event, reality is not over 10,000. It's bad because it's a lie.

The course looks like it will be finished on time as it is ahead of schedule.

Doesn't look like anything special, just a big pile of rocks. But it's OUR big pile of rocks...

I think was an even bigger lie that the spectators is that 25 teams and 4000 competitors are coming. That means if there are 25 countries representing, they would each have to send about 6 teams to each 4000, if there are 25 people on each team.

It's called promotion folks. The Blue Jays, Argos and Raptors do it every game. They announce ticket sales as real attendance and it bears no relation to how many people actually took in the game. 100k is a bit out there though. There is a point where the press, sponsors, politicians and stakeholders will feel jilted by dragon boat promoters and that can paint everyone with the same brush and affect the honest event marketer (if one exists).

In my estimation you'll see about 70 crews from North America and 30 from overseas for a total of 100 which translates to maybe 2000 athletes. Remember that of the 70 some odd team entries from Canada and the USA, many are doubled or tripled up on other crews in other divisions so it may actually be under 2000. For spectators, I'd be surprised to see more than 10,000 over the entire weekend. The good thing about the location is that plenty of walkers, joggers, bladers and cyclists will be passing by and will be exposed to the sport even if only for a race or two.

"The good thing about the location is that plenty of walkers, joggers, bladers and cyclists will be passing by and will be exposed to the sport even if only for a race or two."

I hope the TCBA doesn't try something stupid like roping off the park and charging people admission to watch the races.

Let anyone watch who wants to, and don't charge them.

Believe it or not and flame away if you must but 120,000 spectators is verifiable by contrasting visitors to the Island on other summer weekends vs Island race weekend. Diligent reporters have checked this out.

Spectators to the Island don't just come for the races mind you and i agree 100,000 will be tough to achieve but it is very possible. Instead of knocking it and the people who are putting in all the effort, go out and help make it happen. The more that get out the better. This is the best opportunity to showcase our sport that we have ever had and may ever have.

It'll be a lot more fun than squating in your little corporate cubbyhole and write nasty messages all summer.

Two issues.
The TCBA are not running this event. Contact the 2006CCWC about entry as a spectator.
I'd be suprised if they allowed free entry to watch.

The Island. 100,000 specatators.
The numbers have never added up.
The ferrys only hold 800-1,000 people each load.
Which would mean that running every 15mins would bring in 4,000 per hour.
If they used all the ferrys going to all the Islands and suggested each traveller
was going across to then route over to watch to take part in the festival, then
you could argue - 8,000 per hour.
If - as suggested last year - 120,000 went last year, that would mean 60,000
per day. Meaning you would have to run the ferry system for ten hours solid to
simply get everyone over there.

Has anyone considered the number is possibly over 2 days. The number is can be more realistic considering the CCWC is over 3 days. Therefore, approximately 33,000 per day does not seem so outrageous.

If you've seen the overhead shots of the course, you will see that much of the prime viewing area is reserved for VIP tents. Hmmm, does this remind you at all of TIDBRF? And you say TCBA isn't running this event? I'm sure the GM tent will be spectacular...

You are sour - otherwise you would have not made that post. Now you know where the word oxy-MORON comes from.

Look, I'm not at all against the race course. I'm glad we're getting something even if it's a bit of a wonky, imperfect something .

But when I looked at the site map on the 2006 Club Crew website, I smelled TCBA all over it. Really, take a look.

Half the course is either viable from the Argo club parking lot (if you cut down the trees), the Argo Club itself (you think they are going to let you in?), and the scrub land between Argo Club and Maryln bell Park (not exactly great sight lines amongst there).

The other half of the course is along Marylin Bell Park itself, and MOST of that area is taken up by.....VIP tents.

Call me sour if you like, but save the oxy for the oxy-5 you use on your arse pimples.

But Chinese people are good at math..

And we're talking about the TCBA here..

Anon March 6 2006, 12:15 PM

While I agree that 100,000 seems excessive, I believe the math used is somewhat off. Most of the ferries have capacity of 800-1000 like you said, but the trillium holds almost 1600 last I checked. Add that the ferries actually do run faster than that, in mid afternoon when the lineups really get looooooong. Plus 2 other dropoff locations (hanlans point, ward island), not just the centre island ferry running, water taxis running as well. Don't know how close to capacity the ferries are running the whole time, but its full every time I've been on it.

Just saying its possible, but agree its inflated.

There were 42,987 plus a few gals in the loo who just wouldn't come out for me.

For those of you that have short memories.
Sharifa ran the Island Festival, through Balmoral Marketing.
The promotional material done through the TCBA website was directly
from their group to inflate numbers in order to get sponsors.

Sharifa is no longer associated with the TCBA or the Island Festival.
So the numbers are now being used to inflate potential crowds for the 2006 CCWC in order to attract potential sponsors.

Do you losers paddle?

If you do, then why the heck do you give a rats ass about what Sharifa et al are doing to promote the WCCC?

I would also bet that you are not even racing at the WCCC's and have nothing better to do but bash s/thg that you are not good enough to participate in.

As the old saying goes, Shuddup and paddle.

As soon as someone says anything with any relevant information then the naysayers
or the supporters come in to defend.
Whether or not Sharifa has or has not done certain actions.
The fact seems to remain the "sport" of Dragon Boating has never been prominent
unless it was under her own agenda.

I don't give a crap about the politics in this "sport"...filled with a buncha wannabees prancing around in their bought uniforms...belch.

If it bugs you so much...BOYCOTT.