The Comox Valley will host a dragon boat festival this summer, for the first time since 2019.

The FGPC Comox Dragon Boat Festival will feature a traditional day of racing in Comox, co-hosted by the Town of Comox and the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club.

Along with the new partnership comes a new date for the event - June 11.

Town of Comox recreation director Ted Hagmeier said the partnership with the Victoria club has essentially saved the Comox event.

B次元官网网址淯p to 2019 it was run by the community centre and a group of paddling volunteers, and we ran the event over the Nautical Days weekend (August long weekend),B次元官网网址� said Hagmeier. B次元官网网址淥ur volunteersB次元官网网址� have done a lot of work for paddling in the Valley, and they just donB次元官网网址檛 have the energy to carry it on. The community centre doesnB次元官网网址檛 have the expertise in dragon boating to do it ourselves - we relied on the paddlers to do that part. Our role was organizing it and getting the paperwork done - the administrative support. So thatB次元官网网址檚 why this partnership with the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club (FGPC) is so great.B次元官网网址�

Hagmeier added that the town and the FGPC have been working on this evolution of the event for a few years.

The Comox stop will be the first of a five-stop Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Series, which runs throughout the summer months. In the past, the Comox event was independent. Being part of a race series will add to the allure, and will draw teams from across the Island and beyond.

B次元官网网址淭he Town of Comox is very excited to be welcoming the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club for the Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series,B次元官网网址� said Comox Mayor Russ Arnott. B次元官网网址淗aving this event outside of Nautical Days also provides an important economic driver to the Town of Comox. Event attendees can take advantage of the several local restaurants, pubs, and shopping stores in the area. This truly is a great place to live, work, and play, and weB次元官网网址檙e excited at the idea of sharing that with the greater community.B次元官网网址�

The full day of racing at the FGPC Comox Dragon Boat Festival will be held on June 11 at the Comox Municipal Marina, with the final podium-finish B次元官网网址淰ictor Simonson ChampionshipsB次元官网网址� held in honour of the leadership of team builder, Victor Simonson.

B次元官网网址淭here are some in the Comox Valley who may not realize that some of our most experienced and strongest paddlers live and train in the Courtenay-Comox area,B次元官网网址� said Erik Ages, general manager of the FGPC. B次元官网网址淲e have a lot of friends in the paddling community here. ThatB次元官网网址檚 one of the reasons why weB次元官网网址檙e pleased to be hosting the Comox Dragon Boat Festival, and including it in the Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series.B次元官网网址�

Early-bird registration for the Comox Dragon Boat Festival and/or the Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series is on now at

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e grateful to be able to build on the excellent work done by the Comox Valley Victor Simonson Dragon Boat Festival,B次元官网网址� Ages said. B次元官网网址淎fter two long years of challenges because of COVID-19, the chance to race again in our communities is a cause for excitement in the paddling community.B次元官网网址�

Paddlers whose teams enter the full series will receive incentives, including a series discount and preferred placement in paddlersB次元官网网址� villages during festival events.

B次元官网网址淭he new Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series gives paddlers a platform to kick-start racing on the island,B次元官网网址� Ages continued. B次元官网网址淭his is an opportunity for all of us in the paddling community to return to regattas, have fun, and set the stage for more seasons to come.B次元官网网址�

The other races in the Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Series include:

B次元官网网址� Gorge Super Sprints: 200-metre races in Victoria, May 14, 2022.

B次元官网网址� Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival: Two-day festival in Nanaimo, July 9-10, 2022.

B次元官网网址� Vancouver International Island Dragon Boat Festival: 500-metre races in Victoria, Aug. 5-7, 2022.

B次元官网网址� Guts-&-Glory Championships: 1,000-1,500 metre Dragon Boat Race & Outrigger Races, in Victoria, Sep. 17, 2022.

The series will also launch a new fundraising initiative for the BC Cancer Foundation, with the new B次元官网网址淢ake Every Second Count BC Cancer Campaign.B次元官网网址� Racers and supporters can donate funds to B次元官网网址渁dd speedB次元官网网址� to their favourite paddler or team by shaving off one second from their total time in special races, with trophies awarded to the highest fundraisers and fastest teams participating in the Every Second Count campaign.

B次元官网网址淭his event will not only showcase the wonderful amenities and activities down at Marina Park, but it also supports an incredible charity in the BC Cancer Foundation,B次元官网网址� said Arnott. B次元官网网址淲hat a great opportunity to bring people together, engage in exciting dragon boat racing, and raise money for such an important and meaningful cause.B次元官网网址�

terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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B次元官网网址揥ith files from Fairway Gorge Paddling Club