Thursday, March 28, 2024

Dragon Boat races will return to Victoria’s inner harbours this spring

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Great news to share, Dragon Boat racing is back on Vancouver Island!

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club (FGPC) announced a new Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series.

This year, the series allows paddlers to participate in and compete in multiple FGPC regattas in Victoria, Nanaimo and Comox with teams participating in the full series being rewarded with incentives, series discounts and more. 

The series will kick off with Gorge Super Sprints on May 14th followed by the Comox Dragon Boat Festival on June 11th, Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival on July 9th and 10th and Vancouver International Island Dragon Boat Festival on August 5th to 7th.

“The 2022 race series gives paddlers and teams from across B.C. a platform to kick-start racing on Vancouver Island,” said Erik Ages, general manager of FGPC, a non-profit society based in Victoria. 

“This is a great opportunity for all of us in the paddling community to return to regattas, have fun with some COVID-safeguards, and set the stage for seasons to come.”

This year, the series launches their “Make Every Second Count BC Cancer Campaign”, a new fundraising initiative for the BC Cancer Foundation.

The campaign allows racers and supporters to donate funds to “add speed” to their favourite paddler or team by shaving off one-second from their total time in select races.

Trophies will also be awarded to the highest fundraisers and fastest teams participating in the Every Second Count campaign.

Races in the 2022 Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Series include:

Gorge Super Sprints

  • Races: 200-metre races
  • Where: Victoria
  • When: May 14th 

Comox Dragon Boat Festival 

  • Races: 500-metre
  • Where: Comox
  • When: June 11th

Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival

  • Where: Nanaimo
  • When: July 9th-10th

Vancouver International Island Dragon Boat Festival

  • Races: 500-metre
  • Where: Victoria
  • When: August 5th to 7th

Guts-&-Glory Championships

  • Races: 1,000-1,500 metre Dragon Boat Race & Outrigger Races
  • Where: Victoria
  • When: in Victoria, Sep. 17, 2022

Interested? Early-bird registration is available here!

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