A Wild & Windy Inlet Spring Regatta
(Photo: Joep Olthuis)
It was a blue-sky but windy day and the topic of conversation during the early morning manager and steers meeting was all about the wind before the 2nd annual Inlet Spring Regatta got underway on Saturday, April 27.
During the opening ceremony, Carleen Thomas of Tsleil-Waututh Nation offered poignant words of welcome touching on the spirit of the eagle, friendships across water and land setting the tone for the day. Speaking on behalf of Port Moody City Council was Acting Mayor, Meghan Lahti who mentioned how proud the City was to be hosting the event.
Kenny, son of the late, Dan Strain speaks about his father as family stand in support. (Photo: Joep Olthuis)
This year’s regatta was dedicated to the late Dan Strain, the Nothin’ Dragon Masters’ beloved captain and founding member. During the morning dedication, many of Dan’s family were present to honour his memory and Dan’s son, Kenny spoke about his memories of his father’s dragon boat involvement stirring some good laughs and well as a few tears.
44 teams were excited about competing in their first race of the season and bravely faced the white-capped water conditions on the inlet. The event marched along until just past noon when G2G Race Management called an emergency meeting with team managers and steerspersons. Teams decided to stop racing due to the wind advisory which was in effect.
Event organizers delivered the awards ceremony as quickly as possible and the paddlers hung around to receive their woodals (wood carved medals) or headed over to the beer garden sponsored by Yellow Dog Brewing. All in all, it was a fantastic day...
Congrats to our winners! Results from races can be found HERE.
Event photos by Joep Olthuis / Shutter Up & Shoot, HERE.
Carleen Thomas of Tsleil-Waututh Nation (Photo: Joep Olthuis)
The Nothin’ Dragon Masters wish to thank this year’s sponsors and supporters: K+S Potash Canada, City of Port Moody, Yellow Dog Brewing, Reed Point Marina Ltd., Jon Ross Films, The Tri-City News, Oddball Apparel, Marcon, Noura Homes, Old Mill Boathouse, Flavelle Oceanfront Development, Cobs Bread, Thrifty Foods, Lotus Sports Club, G2G Race Management, Hydro Pop Event Services Inc., and Shutter Up & Shoot.
2019 Teams: Abreast in a Boat - DEAS; Abreast in a Boat - Fortitude; Abreast in a Boat - Rocky Point; Abreast in the City; Al-O-Wetters; Butts in a Boat; Century Dragons; Concord Pacific Flying Dragons; Cultus Blue; Cultus Lake Dragonflyers; Deep Cove Perfect Catch; Deep Cove Wave Crashers; Draggin’ Divas at Rocky Point; Dragonhearts and Souls; Dragon Zone Twisted Hips; FCRCC Masters Women; FLCC Chicks Ahoy; FLCC D-Fyance; FLCC Fast and Furious; FLCC FORTified; FLCC Paddle Pushers; FLCC Phoenix; FLCC SOAR (Spirit of a Renegade); FLCC Sundragons; FLCC Titanium; FVPC Spirit of the Fraser Valley; FVPC Seraphins; Gals on the Gunnel; Grandragons; Insink; Momentum; Nothin' Dragon Masters (HOST TEAM); Pass the BuK; Pirates; Rocky Point Moody Brews; Rocky Point Moody Dragons; Saggin Dragons; Seventh Wave; Spirit Point Dragons; Starbucks Waverunners; Swordfish; The Eh Team; The Thunder Strokers; and the Water Warriors.
Photo: Joep Olthuis