Nanaimo's dragon boat race was a scaled-down affair last year, but it's making a big return this year.
After the racing was limited to one day last year, the two-day Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival returns to Maffeo Sutton Park on July 12-13, offering a weekend of "all-access guts and glory," noted the event website. The regatta is also a fundraising event supporting breast cancer research, awareness and treatment.
"It has also become a supportive community for individuals facing health challenges, including multiple sclerosis, cancer survivors, visually impaired and others," according to a press release.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to cancellations over recent years and last year's one-day Dragon Boat Regatta came about due to "elimination of crucial government grants," the press release noted. The Nanaimo Paddling Centre, event organizer, expressed excitement about the return of an expanded format.
"The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival is the signature event of the year," said Holly Wylie, Nanaimo Paddling Centre operations manager, in the release. "It’s a chance for the dragon boat community from far and wide to come together and compete in the spirit of the sport."
Crimson Coast Dance Society's Infringing Dance Festival will take place concurrent to the dragon boat festival, keeping with tradition.
For more information, visit www.fgpaddle.com/races/fgpc-db-races/#ndbf.
