Frequently Asked Questions
General | Registration | Festival Activities | Races
How is "breast cancer survivor" defined? What if someone is at high risk and has taken preventable action, for example, had surgery for a double mastectomy and wants to participate in this event as a survivor?
For international dragon boat festivals under the auspices of the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission (IBCPC), a breast cancer survivor participant is someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. People not fitting into this definition can participate as a supporter.
How is "team" defined?
A team consists of a minimum 18 and a maximum of 26 members including drummer and steersperson (sweep). The entire team must be made up of breast cancer survivors; there are no exceptions. This includes the drummer and steersperson. A steersperson will be provided if you do not have one but we strongly suggest that you bring your own steersperson if you can since that person will be familiar with your team’s paddling technique and commands and vice versa.
Please clarify if and how individuals who are not breast cancer survivors can participate in races at the 2010 festival. And, will participants be asked to verify their status as breast cancer survivors?
The registration is open to all breast cancer survivors who belong to any dragon boat team. They can register and participate with their team or register as individuals to be part of a composite team. Breast cancer status is accepted on an honour basis and there will be no requirement to verify this. Also, there is an opportunity for participating supporters who are not breast cancer survivors to take part in races for supporters.
Can supporters participate and how is "supporter" defined?
A supporter can be a partner, friend or family member of a breast cancer survivor participant. A supporter may also be a breast cancer survivor who does not wish to participate in the on-water activities.
Are there different fees for supporters?
Fees are the same whether you’re a supporter or a paddling survivor. There will be at least one race for those supporters who wish to paddle.
Is there a list of recommended accommodations with shuttle service to the festival site?
We have blocked rooms in all the recommended hotels, motels and inns. Carolyn Condon-Burns, our Chair of Accommodations, will look after your accommodation needs. She can also help with the scheduling and arranging of bus transportation for participants to and from their hotels to race site and festival activities. For more information see Accommodations on our website (www.survivorsabreast.com).
What about transportation?
Transportation to and from Peterborough from home locations is an individual/team responsibility. Airport transfers can be arranged upon request at individual/team expense. During the festival we will provide transportation to and from the official recommended accommodations to festival activities.
Included in the registration are transfers to and from the race sight for practices, opening and closing ceremonies, the gala, and race days. Also available are transfers to and from the Toronto airport to the hotels, as well as various half-day tours highlighting the City of Peterborough.
What does my entry fee include?
Your entry fee includes the following:
- On water practices sessions are available and are recommended – including transport to practice sessions if required
- Opening and closing ceremonies, Saturday night gala dinner and a barbeque dinner hosted by the Mayor
- Individual identification tag
- Souvenir bag
- Souvenir program
- Lunch on both race days
- Bottled water at race site
- Return transportation from “Official Recommended Accommodation” to race site, to opening and closing ceremonies, practices and the Saturday night gala.
- Other commemorative event items
What are the fees per paddler?
Fees are in Canadians dollars including all taxes and are:
- to September 30, 2009 CAD $280.00 includes IBCPC $5.00 levy
- October 1 - December 31, 2009 CAD $305.00 includes IBCPC $5.00 levy
- January 1 - March 31, 2010 CAD $330.00 includes IBCPC $5.00 levy
Where and how do I send the registration form?
You have three options:
- You can send the form by fax to 1.705.743.9869 Attention: Susan Lebeau
- You can e-mail it to: registration1@igs.net
- You can mail it to:
International Dragon Boat Festival 2010 – Peterborough Canada
Box 57 Bethany Ontario
Canada L0A 1A0
Do I send my payment to the same address?
No, remember all payments must be mailed to a different address:
International Dragon Boat Festival 2010 – Peterborough Canada
458 Ennis Rd., Ennismore, Ontario, Canada K0L 1T0
Fees include an IBCPC $5.00 levy and are in Canadian dollars payable to the bank account name of IBCPC Peterborough Festival 2010. Please note that your registration is not complete until payment has been received. Entries close March 31, 2010 and no late entries will be accepted.
What is the IBCPC levy?
The International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission (IBCPC) is an organization that ensures that there are common standards for international participatory breast cancer festivals and that these festivals and international breast cancer competitive events are raising awareness about life after a diagnosis of and treatment for breast cancer. The levy is to provide this important organization with administrative/operational funds to carry our its mandate effectively. IBCPC has no funds but does have expenses. These expenses include international teleconference calls, set up of website, web hosting, logo development and style guide.
What is the deadline for registration?
Entries close March 31, 2010 and absolutely no late entries will be accepted.
What if we don’t know all of our team names in time for an early bird date?
Teams that wish to take advantage of “Early Bird” fees may pay for the number of places they require and submit names at a later date. All names must be submitted by no later than March 31, 2010.
How does the team registration work?
A team entry is considered to be ONE Registration with at least 18 participant places booked and submitted simultaneously by the Team Liaison person.
Are substitutions allowed?
Yes, substitutions are permitted. An administrative fee of $25.00 will be payable for each name change up to March 31, 2010. Any substitution after this date will incur a fee of $50. No substitutions are permitted after May 31, 2010.
Is there a refund policy?
Entry fees for an entire team are not refundable under any circumstances. Entry fees for individuals prior to January 1, 2010 are refundable, less an administrative charge of $50 and less any bank charges. There are no refunds after January 1, 2010.
Can individuals enter the races on a composite team?
The registration package form, on page two, has a section allowing participants to register on a composite team. In this same section on the form, interested participants are required to provide information about the side of the boat and position normally paddled, and if the person can steer or drum. This information is necessary for organizers to create the composite teams.
If there are non-paddlers traveling with the team and 26 paddlers (maximum allowed on team roster), how do the non-paddlers register and are the non-paddlers included as part of the maximum number on the roster?
The roster only includes survivors who will be participating in races whereas non-paddling team members will fill out the registration form as non-paddling survivors and so will not be counted as part of the team roster.
Are all the festival events mandatory or can there be a fee adjustment if one chooses not to attend one of the events, e.g. the gala dinner?
There is no special fee adjustment. The steering committee considered it, looked at all the pros and cons, including the administrative challenge that would be involved and decided to be consistent with the approach of the previous festival held in Australia.
Do spouses and other traveling companions need to pay the $280 registration fee to be allowed to be with the team or can they attend as spectators without charge?
Husbands, partners, friends, family members are not required to pay the $280 registration fee if they do not want to receive the benefits listed on the registration form. They can attend as spectators free of charge without the perks and still be with the team.
Can they purchase individual tickets for the barbeque and gala (that is, if they do not need to pay the $280 registration fee)? If so, what is the cost per ticket and how are they purchased?
We will not be selling individual tickets for the barbeque or the gala. The festival site will include food vendors during the barbeque and opening ceremonies so spectators will be able to purchase food items at these locations.
Will there be races for supporters i.e. those who are not breast cancer survivors?
Yes, festival organizers are planning to hold supporter races. The registration form includes an option for supporters to register.
If my family just wants to come and watch the races for a day, will they have to pay a fee?
All spectators are welcome and there is no charge to enter the race site and surrounding areas. There is a registration fee that applies only to those who wish to take part in all the special activities and receive the same benefits as registered participants.
