Five crews of Greater Victoria paddlers from the Victoria Youth Paddling Club and Ocean River Paddling Club are set for a busy summer as they get ready for the Queen Lili long distance outrigger race in Kona, Hawaii.
The 30 kilometre paddle takes place in September and while itB次元官网网址檚 called a race, paddler and fundraising organizer Loreli Urquhart stresses that itB次元官网网址檚 mostly about friendship and family.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 called an B次元官网网址渙hanaB次元官网网址� race. ItB次元官网网址檚 a family. So if youB次元官网网址檙e seeing a boat in troubleB次元官网网址ouB次元官网网址檙e not racing to win or to finish or to get a good time, youB次元官网网址檙e helping your family and thatB次元官网网址檚 what I really love about it,B次元官网网址� she said.
ItB次元官网网址檚 also a unique opportunity for junior paddlers to experience a host of cultural activities that surround the paddle itself, adds Urquhart, who participated in the event 10 years ago.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a full festivalB次元官网网址n Saturday after the race the whole village is shut down and all the paddlers gather and they carry lighted torches and they walk all through town. ItB次元官网网址檚 so neat,B次元官网网址� she said.
The two clubs are hoping to raise about $5,000 in order to lower the costs of the trip to Hawaii, and held a car wash in Metchosin on Sunday in addition to other efforts including bottle drives and chocolate sales.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e all paying but itB次元官网网址檚 just to try and bring [the cost] down a little bit,B次元官网网址� she said.
Thirty paddlers from the region will be making the trip as well as support crew and chaperones for the younger members of the club.
