Inlet Spring Regatta Returns to Port Moody on April 23

Photo: Joep Olthuis/Inlet Spring Regatta

PORT MOODY, BC – Attracting dragon boaters from around the region, the third annual Inlet Spring Regatta will take place at Rocky Point Park, in Port Moody, B.C. on Saturday, April 23. This first dragon boat race event of the season has been highly anticipated, in particular after its cancellation in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Hosted by the Nothin’ Dragon Masters, a 50 plus team based in the Tri-Cities, the 2022 event will have over 30 enthusiastic and race-ready teams.

"We are back on the water!'' said Nothin’ Dragon president, Brian Kenny. “We were pleased to see such a positive response to the return of our event, and we’re excited to have close to a thousand paddlers participating and supporters from around the lower mainland. We have a diverse group of competitors that will show the inclusive nature of our sport. A big thank you to our sponsors!”

The Inlet Spring Regatta offers free entrance for spectators and everyone can expect exciting race action on the inlet, live entertainment by Fernando Trova and John Parsons, and a beer garden sponsored by Yellow Dog Brewing and hosted by Rotary Club of Port Moody. Kwikwetlem Chief Ed Hall will help open the day, and aside from the races and entertainment there will be great eats from food trucks and vendors selling clothing, gift items and paddling gear. There will even be free dragon yoga.

Dragon boat teams will race in heats of three to four boats in 200m sprints, taking approximately one-minute from start to finish. Insync teamwork and a spirit of competition make each race exciting and fast! G2G Race Management, who travels the world to officiate events, will handle the race portion of the regatta. Teams will compete in either a mixed or women-only division. Each team will be guaranteed four races and all of the top three teams in each division will receive woodals – wooden carved medals unique to the Inlet Spring Regatta and featuring the kingfisher, designed by First Nation artist, Glen Rabena.

Each BUK boat seats 20 paddlers, one drummer and a standing steersperson at the stern. Most teams bring spares, a coach and managers. Some teams arrive short in numbers and sign up to receive roving spares from other teams.

Teams have registered from Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Fort Langley, Harrison Hot Springs, New Westminster, Langley, Mission, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Surrey, and Vancouver. Learn more about each team HERE.

Teams are 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 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 and Jon Ross Films.

For more information go to www.inletspringregatta.com.

About Dragon Boating: Dragon boat racing is one of the fastest-growing water sports in the world. Participants of all ages compete and enjoy the sport. Over 2,000,000 people around the world participate in dragon boat festivals or regattas. Dragon boats are 12 meters in length and are propelled by 20 paddlers guided by a steersperson and kept in rhythm by a drummer seated at the bow of the boat maintaining a steady and powerful pace for the duration of a 200-meter or 500-meter course.

About the venue: Known as the City of the Arts, Port Moody is located in Metro Vancouver at the east end of Burrard Inlet and is bordered by Coquitlam on the east and south, and Burnaby on the west. The regatta venue, Rocky Point Park, is known for its beautiful amenities with The Boathouse Restaurant, Pajos Fish and Chips. and Rocky Point Ice Cream all within one to five minutes’ walking distance. The area is well-known for its local breweries also within a short walking distance of the venue.

About the Nothin' Dragon Masters: The Nothin' Dragon Masters are a 50 + team based in and around the Tri-Cities of B.C. The team has approximately 65 members and mentors challenged youth through their Kateslem Kids Program as well as supports the Riverside Secondary dragon boat team. More information at nothindragonmasters.org

Media Contact:
Brian Kenny
604-817-5961
inletspringregatta@gmail.com