About 500 paddlers from Vancouver Island and the lower mainland sped along VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Gorge Waterway on Saturday for a day of racing, but also a major return to in-person competition for the athletes.

The Fairway Gorge Paddling ClubB次元官网网址檚 first-ever Splash Dash had paddlers of all ages giving it their all on the Gorge as they tried to be the first vessel to cross the 250-metre sprintB次元官网网址檚 finish line. The competitors paddled in solo, double and six-person outrigger canoes, as well as 22-person dragon boats.

Paul Bucci, a spokesperson for the club, said the event also wanted to honour the long history of paddlers on the Gorge. Splash Dash hoped to emphasize how First Nations peoples have been canoeing on waterways across B.C. for thousands of years.

Bucci said being able to compete in person and safely has been a long time coming. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 exciting because weB次元官网网址檝e been training alone for a long time and itB次元官网网址檚 a chance for us to see people we havenB次元官网网址檛 seen for more than a year.B次元官网网址�

READ:

With ages from young to old and abilities ranging from Olympians to recreational competitors, Bucci said Splash Dash reflected the inclusiveness of paddling.

One dragon boat team, the Island Breaststrokers, consisted of only breast cancer survivors. A ceremony was held at Splash Dash to honour survivors and those who have been lost to breast cancer. Dragon boating has long been linked to breast cancer after a University of British Columbia sports medicine professorB次元官网网址檚 study found the activity had benefits for those being treated for the condition.

Those benefits are felt by Breaststrokers paddlers Heather Biasio and Ann Cubbin. Biasio, now in her sixteenth year of dragon boating, still cherishes the connections it brings to her life.

B次元官网网址淭hat makes a team, when youB次元官网网址檙e all friends,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the energy, the exercise, the enthusiasm and just being with people you just have this fond connection with,B次元官网网址� Cubbin added. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not an individual that stands out, itB次元官网网址檚 the whole team that functions B次元官网网址� we win as a team, we fail as a team.B次元官网网址�

Splash Dash also included performances by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club lion dancers, Lekwungen traditional dancers, Uminari Taiko Drummers and other music acts.

READ: