Parm OllekB次元官网网址檚 arms and legs are burning.

Gripping her wooden paddle, she plunges it into the water alongside 19 other paddlers, their dragonboat knifing through the waterway.

Despite the pain, final preparations for the Canada Dry Victoria Dragonboat Festival are going well and Ollek feels fortunate to be on the water.

B次元官网网址淚t is totally fun. I am higher than a kite, I really am,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 am experiencing something totally out of my box.B次元官网网址�

You wouldnB次元官网网址檛 know it, but the business systems co-ordinator for Maximus Canada had never done anything athletic in her life.

Ollek and most of her teammates spend their days at a desk B次元官网网址� she doesnB次元官网网址檛 even remember the last time she felt like part of a team. That all changed a year ago after discovering dragonboat racing as a volunteer.

B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 believe what a wonderful event it was. The energy, it was so positive,B次元官网网址� she said of last yearB次元官网网址檚 festival.

B次元官网网址淚 absolutely loved it and I walked away that weekend and said, B次元官网网址業 really like this. I want to do this.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Ollek decided to form her own boat, recruiting colleagues at work to form the newly minted Maximus Power, named after their company.

The team takes to the waters of the Inner Harbour this weekend (Aug. 17, 18 and 19) focused on performing inside and outside the boat B次元官网网址� paddling in unison inside it, and raising funds for the B.C. Cancer Foundation outside it.

B次元官网网址淢y goal at the end of the day isnB次元官网网址檛 about winning and losing at all,B次元官网网址� Ollek said. B次元官网网址淚t is a matter of being a part of something and giving back.B次元官网网址�

Coach Paul Barton has been quietly impressed with the team.

Barton, a first-time coach, appreciates the commitment each paddler invested into the twice-weekly practices and looks forward to a strong performance come race day.

B次元官网网址淭hey are raring to go,B次元官网网址� Barton said. B次元官网网址淚t has been great.  I had no idea what to expect from them, but from the first minute it was eager happy faces. It has been an amazing experience.B次元官网网址�

Despite less than eight weeks to train, the rookie boat placed second in its heat at the Gorge Fest Dragon Boat Regatta last weekend and hope to gel even more in time for this weekend.

B次元官网网址淒ragonboating is the definition of teamwork. If you donB次元官网网址檛 interact as a team in the boat, there is a negative effect,B次元官网网址� Barton said.

B次元官网网址淓veryone feels great about contributing to someone other than themselves. This is hard. After every practice they are burnt out, but they are smiling. It is great.B次元官网网址�

Ollek is smiling, despite the aching in her body. As captain of Maximus Power she is focused on the team, a team that spreads much farther than just the 20 people on the boat.

B次元官网网址淢y values are such that I want to give back to the community anyway I can,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淚t is in my heart to do these things. It is what I believe in.B次元官网网址�

Weekend schedule

Today (Aug. 17)

1 p.m. B次元官网网址� Eye Dotting Ceremony, Ship Point

5-9 p.m. B次元官网网址� Light of Courage Lantern Celebration, Ship Point

9 p.m. B次元官网网址� Lighting of Lights of Courage, Ship Point

Saturday (Aug. 18)

8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. B次元官网网址� Dragonboat races, Inner Harbour

8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. B次元官网网址� All-day entertainment, kids activities, Ship Point

Sunday (Aug. 19)

8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. B次元官网网址� Dragonboat races, Inner Harbour

Noon B次元官网网址� Breast Cancer SurvivorsB次元官网网址� race and carnation toss, Inner Harbour

8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. B次元官网网址� All-day entertainment, kids activities, Ship Point

For more information, please go online to victoriadragonboat.com