A new season is about to begin and we welcome ANYONE who is interested in dragon boat paddling. Before we begin, we would like to clear up a few misconceptions about this sport…
Myth 1 - That dragon boating is mainly for ladies who have survived breast cancer.
Reality - Dragon boating is for everyone. Canada has hundreds of teams at all age levels with a very strong senior faction. Though we have often heard about Cancer Survivor paddling, this was a media push, a number of years ago, when women were encouraged to become more active after an operation. There are survivor specific teams, like the North Breast Passage team in PG and there are survivor specific events. However; the Quesnel club and most regattas are open to anyone who wishes to paddle.
Myth 2 - That dragon boating is mainly for women. Reality - Every regatta we have gone to, there have been many men participating in mixed teams. At a higher level, there are teams that are men only, mixed, women only, Juniors or Masters. Canada has national teams for men and women. The Quesnel club is mostly women but does that mean that women are more adventurous? Fellows, if you would like to get a good workout and be out on the water, give this sport a try.
Myth 3 - That dragon boating does not offer enough of a challenge.
Reality - The local team practices long and hard to tackle a short and fast race. Races are usually 500 or 250 metres long so the race is over in minutes. By the end of the season, the team is able to paddle for 30 minutes straight and have practiced many starts, fine tuned synchronicity and strengthened core, leg and arm muscles. If there is interest, there are regattas in Penticton, Kamloops, Kelowna, Terrace, Victoria that some or all of our team have attended. There are regattas all over the world! One goal, this year, is to attend the 55+ Senior Games which will be in Vernon in the middle of September, 2017.
The boat will be on the water in early May and will welcome new comers with drop in toonie paddles during the month of May.
We have paddles and life jackets to loan, two character boats that float, a wonderful boathouse in Pioneer Park and good energy. If you are interested, please email dragonlakepaddlers@mail.com or call Sheila at 250-992-6824.
-submitted by Liz Anne Eyford