Canada's 2024 Dragon Boat Season Opens with Inlet Spring Regatta
Teams lining up for a 200m race, with Rocky Point Park as the backdrop on April 20.
“Inlet Spring Regatta goes International!”
A welcome to the paddlers by Kwikwetlem First Nation Councillor, John Peters along with KFN Elder, Stephen Armstrong.
After months of preparation the 5th Inlet Spring Regatta was held on April 20 with mild spring weather conditions. 42 teams from around BC and 2 teams from Seattle were excited to be racing in their first event of the season. This marked the first year teams from the USA attended.
The morning started with sunny skies and calm, flat waters and the temperature rose comfortably throughout the day. There was a threat of high winds, but those came later than expected and after the event closed.
Event chairman of the Regatta, Brian Kenny opened the event with a land acknowledgement and welcome remarks and thanked the sponsors and many volunteers, mostly comprised of host team Nothin’ Dragon, students from Riverside Secondary and Acsenda School of Management.
To welcome the paddlers to the area, greetings were provided by Kwikwetlem First Nation Elder, Stephen Armstrong and KFN Councillor, John Peters.
Local team, Unified Rip Tides come in after racing on Burrard Inlet.
Major sponsor, K+S Potash Canada was thanked and presented a plaque featuring a woodal, the unique medal the event has become known for made of wood and featuring the kingfisher bird designed by First Nation artist, Glen Rabena. “K+S Potash Canada, thank you for your continued support. Your commitment to our event demonstrates your dedication to the local community and the spirit of camaraderie fostered by this regatta,” said Kenny before presenting the plaque.
Providing energetic and uplifting music and keeping paddlers informed was announcer Rod MacBeth. Live entertainment featured local favourite, Steve Marriott out on the pier, roving accordion player, Adam Faber and popular songs by John Parsons in the beer garden. Face painting was a new offering this year as were visits from mascots, Ember the FireSmart Fox from Port Moody Fire Department and Spike, the kingfisher from the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
SOAR (Spirit of a Renegade)
The fastest team of the day was Spirit of a Renegade (SOAR) of Fort Langley who completed the 200m in a time of 00:52.940 in their first race of the day.
Congrats to all the woodal recipients! Race results can be viewed HERE. View woodal presentations on Facebook here.
Event organizers began delivering the awards as final races completed, handing out the coveted woodals to teams in the top three spots in each division. Teams and patrons enjoyed time in the Yellow Dog beer garden, food truck fare and shopping.
The 50/50 draw made $445 to the Share Family & Community Services - SHARE Society. The 50/50 winner was Michele Joel. The wood and fibreglass canoe raffle winner was Brian Asselstine.
Nothin’ Dragon wishes to thank this year’s sponsors and supporters: K+S Potash Canada, City of Port Moody, Yellow Dog Brewing, Enhance Sport & Wellness, The Tri-City News, Oddball Apparel, Thrifty Foods, Centrum Solutions, Old Mill Boathouse and Shutter Up & Shoot.
An event survey to provide feedback is out and will close on May 3. “The event survey had been a great way for our team to learn from the paddlers, patrons and vendors to help us improve our next event,” said Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society president, Robbin Whachell.
Presentation to K+S Potash Canada. Left to right: Brian Kenny, Event Chairman; Paige Cignac, Community Investment Specialist, K+S Potash; and Robbin Whachell, President, Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society.
Thanks to the 44 teams of 2024: Abreast at Rocky Point, Abreast Deas Divas, Abreast In A Boat Fortitude, Abreast In The City, Al-O-Wetters, Century Dragons, Draggin' Divas, Dragon Ladies, FC Premier Mixed, FC Premier Women 10, FCRCC Momentum, FLCC Chicks Ahoy, FLCC D-Fyance, FLCC Dragonflies, FLCC FORTified, FLCC Fraser Spirit, FLCC Furies, FLCC Paddle Pushers, FLCC Race Crew, FLCC River Dragons, FLCC SunDragons, FLCC Titanium Masters, FLCC WOW, Fort Langley Iron Maidens, Grandragons, Harrison Wild, Mavens of Mayhem, Paddle Rangers, Pass the BUK, RPDB Moody Brews, RPDB Moody Dragons, RPDB Moody Growlers, Seattle Flying Dragons, Seattle Flying Women, Seraphins, Seventh Wave, SFU Shockwave, SIPC One Paddle, Spirit of a Renegade (SOAR), STEMCELL, Thunder Strokers, Twisted Dragons, Unified Ripped Tides, and WaveCrashers.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support and enjoy the Inlet Spring Regatta!