25 Years of Dragon Boating on Burrard Inlet
Dragon boats come in for docking after a race in the Inlet Spring Regatta in April 2022. (ISR Photo)
PORT MOODY, BC – Attracting dragon boaters from around the region, the fourth annual Inlet Spring Regatta will take place at Rocky Point Park, in Port Moody, B.C. on Saturday, April 29. This first dragon boat race event of the season has been highly anticipated.
Hosted by Nothin’ Dragon, a 50plus team based in the Tri-Cities, the 2023 event will have well over 30 enthusiastic and race-ready teams.
"2023 marks our team’s 25th anniversary,'' said Nothin’ Dragon president, Brian Kenny. “That’s how long organized dragon boating has been enjoyed on the Burrard Inlet. The Inlet Spring Regatta was created in our 20th year. Of the original 40 members in 1998, Ann Newsom and Pat Johnson are still paddling with us!”
Nothin’ Dragon will have a 25th-anniversary tent on-site showcasing memorabilia such as old team photos, team jerseys, medals, awards, and more. Nothin’ Dragon is proud that their former captain, the late Dan Strain was inducted into the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. Learn more about the team’s history from 2018 when we celebrated our twentieth.
The Inlet Spring Regatta draws over a thousand spectators and paddlers. The diverse group of competitors of all ages will show the inclusive nature of the sport. There is easy access by SkyTrain (Moody Centre Station) and ample parking for paddlers near the site. The Regatta offers free entrance for spectators and everyone can expect exciting race action, live entertainment by Five on a String, Fernando Trova and Steve Marriott, and a beer garden sponsored by Yellow Dog Brewing. Expect great eats from food trucks and shopping from event merchants. There will even be free dragon yoga sessions for all.
Each dragon boat, known as a BUK boat, seats 20 paddlers, one drummer and a standing steersperson at the stern. Most teams bring spares, a coach and managers. 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 division. 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.
Teams that have registered are from North Vancouver, New Westminster, Port Moody, Vancouver, Coquitlam, Langley, Abbotsford, Surrey, Delta, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge. the Fraser Valley, Harrison Hot Springs, Vancouver, Squamish, Pitt Meadows, Cultus Lake, Chilliwack, and Richmond. Learn more about each team HERE.
Nothin’ Dragon wishes to thank this year’s sponsors and supporters: K+S Potash Canada, City of Port Moody, Yellow Dog Brewing, The Tri-City News, Oddball Apparel, Old Mill Boathouse, G2G Race Management, Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue, Kingfisher Docks, Flavelle OceanFront Development, Old Mill Boathouse and Enhance Sport & Wellness.
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 area is well-known for its local breweries also within a short walking distance from the venue. Ample parking is available and Sky Train stops at Moody Centre which is a 100 metre walk to the pier.
About Nothin' Dragon: Nothin' Dragon 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 www.nothindragonmasters.org.
The Nothin’ Dragon team photo from 2020. This amazing accomplishment took place during the pandemic and each photo was taken individually and then placed together. Credit goes to the incredible work (and patience) of photographer, Joep Olthus of Shutter Up & Shoot.