Mojo Comments

2009

From that cold ass windy day in April when I can tell you now we should have never gone out - to those beautiful sunsets on a Friday night of a long weekend when there was only us on the water  -  the journey was memorable and the end result was so rewarding DJ

We were very fortunate enough to welcome some great new Mojos this spring and it's been a pleasure to paddle with you all season. PB

Thanks for welcoming me to the team this year.  I loved being a Mojo and paddling with such a great group of people.  AE

2008

“Mission accomplished Mojos!  We made it to A division, a solid 2nd place in A consolation.  I am so proud of the team and knowing we did our last race with all the Mojos (exept Alan and Christine) and with just the essential guests makes me even prouder.  Wait, there's more, we did it with a 10/10 men/women split.  That was  a gusty line up but it just goes to show we can do it! Thank you Mojos for all your efforts over the season on and off the water.” PB

 

 

“That was an amazing weekend!!! We have come a long way, considering that we did not know where we stood at the beginning of the year!!!  Our team was really energized and powered by the four db newbies  (awesome! Just simply awesome!).  Looking forward to next year!” WC

 

“Thanks to all of the Mojos for taking a chance on an inexperienced paddler.

Personally I consider this season a success considering I had never heard of a Dragonboat before....oh...and I didn't fall out of the boat!” BS

 

“We gave it our best shot - we left it on the water - you gave it all you had each and every race and as a veteran coach who has been fortunate to travel the world and work with many elite athletes I could not be prouder then I am today trying to type this email ( if you think I have trouble with names typing is not a strong point either ) BUT I wanted to put something out to all of you - I hope I have not left anyone out- This has been a most memorable summer with my own family ( my daughter getting married and my son getting closer to his goal  ) and with you guys supporting the program we put together.  I enjoyed every minute - we improved everyday and I hope that all of you will always believe   "that you can do anything if you surround yourself with good people " DJ

 

 

“So many of our beloved coach's commentaries on sport and competing 
often resonate with me during the day (I know, I know, I'm losing 
it...but I'm not worried about the fact that I am hearing Doug's 
voice even when I'm not in the boat, I AM worried about the day I 
start quoting him at work or home...).  "Enough is never enough" is 
one Doug'ism I love and it is very appropo here.  I don't think 
enough can be said about the character and commitment of every 
individual on our team. “JN

 

 

“I still remember the first day I went to MCC for pool practice, I totally didn't know what I was doing.  Patti gave me be the newbie butt pad, I didn't even know what that was at that time.  And of course, I couldn't distinguish between Debbie and Patti yet,  I was so afraid to call either of them, because I probably would call the wrong person.” SI

 

“I just wanted to congratulate the team on a great job this weekend and thank you for the opportunity to be on the team. It is one thing to be good at paddling, but there are lots of teams that are good at that. What sets the Mojos apart is the great people who make up the team. Being on the Mojos is like being part of one really awesome family. Thanks for the best dragonboat season ever.” DC

 

“The Things I Learned from My Mojos:

 

1. "You are much tougher than you think"

This is what we showed ourselves last weekend and during all those cold, wet practices and during all those endless pyramids, when my mouth was so dry that my tongue would have stuck to my palate if I wasn't breathing so hard. Distilled down, this is the essence of Doug's message to us each practice.

 

2. "Generosity and Goodwill are contagious"

Lots has been said already about how much time Debbie, Patti, Gord and others have donated to this team. There are so many other examples -- personally, I think I have begged a ride off almost every single person on the team. I've been on some teams where there is more competition within the team itself, than with the real competition (finger pointing, criticism, back-biting when things go wrong). Not on the Mojos this year.

Maybe, as Doug says, we are just "nice people", but I had the sense that everyone brought positive energy to the team.

 

3. "The whole is greater ..."

Lots of Tues. and Fri., I got home and thought, "oh man, what I really want is a nap, not to schlep down to Union Station and take a GO train to Mississauga," but I knew that I had a some teammates feeling the same as me who were going to make longer trips and bigger sacrifices to get there. I think of Deb who was busy juggling a new job and a small child and still finding time to be our co-captain.  This is a team of people who lead by example, rather than through lots of bravado. I never regretted making that trip.

 

And finally,

4. "You won't melt if you go out in the rain"

'Nuf said. “SW

 

“As a rookie with no idea what she was doing, I can't thank all of you enough for making me feel so welcome and so supported as I learned this new, marvellous sport.  The Mojos have that determined, encouraging spirit and positive, fun attitude that make being part of a team feel so good and really hard work feel so satisfying.  Thanks for making this such a fabulous experience.  (You know you are stuck with me now, right?  I have tasted "A" division!  Wow!)  “   TF

 

“It is definitely the people on the team that make the difference and really you guys are amazing! It has truly been a pleasure and an honour paddling along side all of you.  I honestly can't wait til next year!! “AC

"It's been amazing to watch so many Mojos get leaner, stronger, 
 fitter and more technically sound over the past two years. Doug has 
done great work in pushing and motivating us. It has been awesome.

 Also great work by Deb planning the boot camps, April MCC circuit 
 training and training me in the gym over the winter.

 As advertised, we really are  Fit! Fast ! Fun! "GB

"Everyone, what can I say that hasn't been said already .... congratulations on an exceptional performance at GWN and throughout the season!!!  We have is an excellent group of people making up our team and everyone has worked really hard at our practices ... I hear the grunts and panic searches for our water bottles ... :0)  Our practices have been tough and I have learnt a lot from everyone and especially from Doug.... now, if I can just drop my shoulder a little more so a plate can sit on it ...( that is on the agenda for next year).  

I have really enjoyed all our tailgate parties and the skills of our master BBQ chefs, garage sales, and our after practice meals at California's.  All of these little things the Mojos do, have made this year amazing for me.  It is all 19 or so of us showing up to practices and racing throughout the season, our helpers at each regatta, our coach and our team organizers, who got us here,  Thank you everyone for an excellent season and once again congratulations on everyone's performance this past weekend.  See you all soon! " CD