Idyllic Weather Tops Off a Successful 2022 Inlet Spring Regatta
(Photo: Joep Olthuis/Inlet Spring Regatta)
After two canceled events due to the pandemic, and months of preparation the 3rd annual Inlet Spring Regatta was held on April 23, 2022. Mother nature did not disappoint! The morning started with sunny skies with tufted white clouds here and there and calm, flat waters.
Host team president, Brian Kenny opened with welcome remarks and thanked the many volunteers, and then Kwikwetlem First Nation Chief, Ed Hall provided a traditional greeting. Speaking on behalf of Port Moody City Council was Mayor Rob Vagramov who mentioned how the Inlet Spring Regatta has become a prominent event fixture for the city. He was accompanied by Counselor Zoe Royer and her grandson.
(Photo: Joep Olthuis/Inlet Spring Regatta)
33 teams were excited about competing in their first race of the season! They were from Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Fort Langley, Harrison Hot Springs, New Westminster, Langley, Mission, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey, and Vancouver. They raced the 200m course, which was positioned differently this year as the historic log boom is no longer.
Providing energetic and uplifting music was announcer Rod MacBeth. Live entertainment was greatly received and featured bluegrass music from 5 On a String, the soulful sounds of Steve Marriott out on the pier, and John Parsons playing popular songs in the beer garden.
Teams warming up in the paddlers’ village (Photo: Joep Olthuis/Inlet Spring Regatta)
(Photo: Joep Olthuis/Inlet Spring Regatta)
Event organizers delivered the awards ceremony by 2 p.m. handing out the coveted woodals to teams in the top three spots of each division. Teams and patrons enjoyed time in the Yellow Dog beer garden and yummy food from the food trucks. The 50/50 draw made $550 to the Share Family & Community Services - SHARE Society. Rod MacBeth was this year’s 50/50 winner.
Congrats to our dragon boat winners! Results from races can be found HERE. Event photos are coming soon.
The Nothin’ Dragon Masters wish to thank this year’s sponsors and supporters: K+S Potash Canada, City of Port Moody, Noura Homes, Yellow Dog Brewing, Shutter Up & Shoot, The Tri-City News, Fast Signs, Oddball Apparel, Old Mill Boathouse, G2G Race Management, Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue, On Track Dental, Jon Ross Films and Thrifty Foods.
Event chair and host team president, Brian Kenny gives a high-five to a teammate as they head out to race from Rocky Point Pier. (Photo: Joep Olthuis/ Inlet Spring Regatta)
Thanks to the teams: Abreast at Rocky Point; Al-O-Wetters; Butts in a Boat; Century Dragons; CC x SuperFun; Concord Pacific Flying Dragons; Deep Cove Wavecrashers; Dragon Zone Twisted Hips; from the Fort Langley Canoe Club: Chicks Ahoy, D-Fyance, FORTified, Iron Maidens, Paddle Pushers, Race Crew, Sundragons, Titanium, WOW; FCRCC Masters; FCRCC Momentum; Gals on the Gunnel; Grandragons; INSINK; Mavens of Mayhem; Nothin’ Dragon Masters; Rocky Point Moody Brews; Rocky Point Moody Dragons; Rocky Point Pass the BUK; Seraphins; Seventh Wave; Sudden Impact; TCC Dragoneers; and the Thunder Strokers.
The start line. (Photo: Joep Olthuis/ Inlet Spring Regatta)