For 2007 we will be heading to Phoenix for our preseason tuneup race.  This year the race is under full management by the Arizona Dragon Boat Association, so it should be more competitive, which means more fun!  It will give us a chance to try out new race strategies and put our new stroke that we have been working on to the test.  I think we will find that our hard work in the offseason will pay off on the water.

For those of you that are new to the team, you will get a taste of what paddling and traveling with BAD is all about!  Last year's Phoenix crew can vouch for much competitive racing, many steaks devoured during the evenings, and a trip to Hooters for -- yep, you guessed it -- delicious hot wings. 

If you're a baseball fan, you can probably stick around to take in some spring training games.

Stay tuned for hotel and flight information.  If anyone happens upon a good flight deal, let Alvin or Steve know.

What: 4th Annual Arizona Dragon Boat Festival
When: Saturday, March 24, 2007 - Sunday, March 25, 2007
Where: Tempe Town Lake, Tempe, AZ

Race fees:
- You must be a paid 2007 BAD member.
- $25 by Dec 31, 2006
- $35 by Feb 1
- $40 after that

Note: The above race fees are for mixed races only.  There is a separate fee for gender races (this changed from last time).  We will race gender if people are willing and we have sufficient headcount.

Hotel:
Best Western Inn of Tempe
670 N Scottsdale Rd
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 784-2233

Room block: 8 w/ 2 Queens, 12 Kings
Room block name: Bay Area Dragons
Room block good for: Mar 21 - Mar 26
Rate: $110/night
Reserve by: Feb 21

Flights:
From Tim:
You may want to pass this along:

The cheapest fares right now are on US Airways / America West from SJC-PHX.

$262 round trip non-refundable.
$367 round trip refundable.

This is with the late night (after 9pm) return flight on sunday the 25th.