Background: They are a dynamic group of rambunctious young "unprofessionals." 2006 marks their 7th year on the water.

Team: Alameda DragonFlyers

Background: The DragonFlyers are a crew of 16 to 60 year olds who live or work in the island city on the Bay. City of Alameda employees organized them in 2000.

Team: Bay Area Dragons

Background: Established in 1996, BAD has raced in Hanover, Rome, Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto and across the United States.

Team: City College of San Francisco

Background: Begun in 2004, with only four members, this team is made up of city college students who practice every week at Lake Merced.

Team: Davis Racing Dragons

Background: Team DRD is a team comprising UC Davis students and alumni. They started practicing at the end of June 2004.

Team: DieselFish

Background: DieselFish are marine mammals indigenous to the waters of the Bay Area. This team is largely carnivorous and converges upon Treasure Island holding a beer can whilst dodging the kickball.

Team: Dragon Warriors

Background: Founded in 1999, this team loves to travel all over. They were especially honored to compete in the World Club Crew Championships in Toronto this season.

Team: DragonMax

Background: DragonMax recently returned from the U.S. national championships in Tampa, Florida, with bronze and silver medals. The club practices year-round in Berkeley, Calif.

Team: Evolution

Background: They are one boat, one team and one family, with one goal, to win.

Team: KP Dragon Healers

Background: The paddlers consist of Kaiser San Francisco employees, their friends and families. They became a team in June 2005.

Team: KP Dragons

Background: The KP Dragons are spirited employees who proudly embrace the role as ambassadors of Kaiser Permanente. They are about lasting friendships, food, fun and meeting new challenges.

Team: Lightwave

Background: They are a co-ed team and comprise numerous nationalities. Their team has been around since 1996 when dragon boat racing first surfaced in the Bay Area.

Team: Paddle Past Cancer

Background: Making their debut at this year’s race, the team embodies the mind, body and spirit of strength and determination. All members of Paddle Past Cancer have survived cancer, are currently undergoing treatment or are living with cancer.

Team: Ripple Effect Biscuits n’ Gravy and Shake n’ Bake…mmmm…hmmm!

Background: This is their 5th year as a team. Having fun and eating is their mission, and they’re ready for intense competition.

Team: San Francisco Rainbow Koi

Background: The San Francisco Rainbow Koi is the first LGBT team in California. They were the only U.S. team competing in Montreal’s first Out Games, and brought back the silver medal.

Team: Suen Feng Loong (S.F.L.)

Background: Suen Feng Loong comprises undergraduate college and high school students. Their younger high school members are from Abraham Lincoln High School and Lowell High School.

Team: UC Berkeley – Cal Paddling Bears

Background: Comprising 20 Cal students, they are paddling for one goal: “Beat Stanford!” Started three years ago, the new and improved Cal Paddling Bears are ready to win the 4th year in a row.

Team: Abraham Lincoln High School

Background: A part of the CDBA for 10 years, Lincoln and Lowell paddlers teamed up to represent the CDBA in the International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships. Their women’s team placed 3rd in the 2,000-meter race.

YOUTH TEAMS

Team: Absolute with a Twist

Background: Ripped and roaring, these enthusiastic new kids on the block are an untamed pack of young energy ready to outPADDLE all who dare challenge them.

Team: Community Youth Center

Background: This year marks the 8th time the group will be competing. The team is coached by Chaz Koh, Joe Ouyang, Justin Tsao, Brendan Lam and Allen Tien.

Team: Crystal Springs Uplands School

Background: A co-educational independent school in Hillsborough, Calif., they are sponsored by the CSU Asian Culture Awareness Club. Participating since 1987, their main goal is to introduce dragon boat racing as a recreational sport to high school students.

Team: Galileo Celestial Dragon

Background: Optimistic, intelligent and determined, this team enjoys taking advantage of the time they share together.

Team: Lowell Cardinal Crewzers

Background: From Lowell High School, they placed 2nd at the CDBA Youth Race in April and 3rd at the Alcan Festival in Vancouver (the first time any Calif. youth crew has medaled at this event). This is their 9th year.

Team: Lowell Red Tide

Background: They are the second crew to form from Lowell High School. At last year’s TI race, they went home with third place in the A division.

Team: Lowell Big Red-C

Background: Lowell High School’s third crew formed in 2001, and this is the first year they will be competing at Treasure Island.

Team: Mountain View High School

Background: The Mountain View Dragon Boat Team is made up of paddlers from various cultural and athletic backgrounds. In only one year, they have made it into the top high school division in every single race they have attended.

Team: St. Ignatius Wildcats

Background: Under the guidance of Coach Curtis Wong and the supervision of Grace Curcio, the St. Ignatius Wildcats of San Francisco return to the water with a crew of SI’s Asian Students Coalition. This is their 8th year.

Team: Washington High School

Background: Competing for their 10th year, the Washington Eagles are coached by Bryan Wong, Jadene Wong, Ed Iovino, Russell Wadbrook and Leslie Loui, and faculty sponsors Virgil Jackson, Alan Layug and Dan Yee.

Team: Washington 2

Background: This crew from Washington High School took 1st place in the D Division at Lake Merced. Thomas Fan and Benny Kau lead this team.

Team: Washinberg

Background: This crew comprises San Francisco’s Washington School and Wallenberg High School students. They took 3rd place in the C Division at the Lake Merced April Youth Race. They are led by Annelisa Luong, Lindsey Lu-Pon and Erik Lee.

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