~ by Cheryl Middleton -
The 2013 Dragon Boat season is well under way here in Sointula, Port McNeill and Port Hardy. Our local Dragon boating program includes Seniors, Recreational and a few ?hard core? paddlers that like a little more challenge by racing these giant beasts along estuaries, the ocean and even a lake.
Our ?Seniors? group meets every Saturday at 10:45 at the dock by our local hardware store for a nice casual paddle out front of town when the weather permits. It?s not just for Senior?s, but anyone who would prefer a gentler paddle, and the smiles on the faces of the folks in the boat makes all the work done by the Tri-Port Dragon Boat society worth it.
Warriors Win!
The Recreational crew consists of people that come out every Tuesday night @ 5:45, the workout is more about endurance and drills to improve stroke and technique ? remember we don?t ROW, we paddle! This night is also where the members of the Tri-Port Warriors get their 2nd night of practice, and hopefully build up our endurance for those long 500 metre races.
Members of the Warriors, Sointula seniors and Rec paddlers had a ?come out and try dragon boating? at our 2nd Annual Sointula Regatta on July 1st, and this was met with much enthusiasm ? mostly from those of us dragging people kicking and screaming into the boat! There were over 50 names on our sign-in sheet ? lets hope some of those names return next year to join us in this fabulous sport. It was a great day!!
Tight Race in Campbell River
The Warriors team have participated so far in two regattas out of town. The first one was the Race the River Regatta in Campbell River on June 29. This is an annual 350 metre race in the Campbell River Estuary hosted by our adopted sister boat River Spirit. There are several family members and friends of Sointulians on this team so it?s truly sibling rivalry when the two teams get together to compete. The Warriors placed first in their first two heats in the women?s division. In the third and final race our team was overtaken in the last 10 meters by our Sister boat the Tri-Port Dragon Slayers. We did ourselves proud by coming in a very close second ? less than two seconds separated first and second. Of course we had to be in the finals with River Spirit, who came in a respectable third place. The Warriors 2013 crew is made up this year of half veteran paddlers and half new paddlers. The new gals did awesome for their first year of racing!
The weekend of July 5-7 was the 12th annual Save on Foods Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival. This festival drew over 70 teams consisting of mixed (men & women), 25 women?s teams and 10 Cancer Survivor teams. The Tri-Port Dragon Boat Society had three out of our four teams participating this year and we did very well. The Warriors overtook two other teams in the final race in our division to take first in the Jade B. Things are quite intense at this festival and we?re really focused on the races, our team and the other teams participating.
Racing in Nanaimo Wind
Two years ago my brother came out to watch and support, but honestly I just wanted to hang with my crew (Sorry Mike!!). The spirit of why we do this is never forgotten, the camaraderie of all the teams and teammates is like nothing I?ve ever experienced. The feeling of being surrounded by 100?s of people with the same common goal, the sportsmanship and the support is unprecedented. Since 2003, the festival has donated nearly $600,000 to the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation. This money is specifically earmarked towards the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer patients on Central Vancouver Island. Sunday is always an emotional day on the water with the Carnation Ceremony ? celebrating life, and remembrance of those we?ve lost to breast cancer or to support those who are fighting. It?s a sea of pink out there and I?m proud to be part of this amazing celebration.
July 20th will be the Fourth Annual Tri-Port Dragon Boat regatta in Port Hardy. Please come out and support your local dragon boaters and this fabulous? regatta. We will be having our paddle auction again, with paddles painted by 2 local artists ? Betty Carlson and Curtis Casson. All money raised goes back to our North Island communities. We support youth in sports by providing funds to assist with paying for sports registrations and we also provide support to our North Island Women?s shelter.
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Paddle by Betty Carlson
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