Add dragon boating to the Canada Day weekend’s entertainment list.
Campbell River’s two dragon boat teams, the BraveHearts and River Spirit, plan to host their own festival which could attract up to 15 teams from across the Island.
The Dragon Boat Society has approval from the Department of Fisheries to use the Campbell River Estuary for the race, which will be a 500 metre sprint.
“This event will market the sport to the community,” said Leslee Samson, society president. “It’s a great opportunity to show Campbell River what great fun dragon boating is.”
With the race having the potential to bring in more than 300 visitors to the community, it’s also an opportunity to showcase the city and its natural water resources, said Samson.
The festival is scheduled for July 3, to run in conjunction with other Canada Day festivities.
The city has given permission for the dragon boat teams to use Dick Murphy Park as a gathering area.
Samson said all teams will have their own tents set up around the park and there will be a marshalling area, likely near the bird watching platform, across from the playground.
Tyee Spit is also intended to be utilized as a viewing area.
Campbell River’s two dragon boat teams are open to all ages and require no particular skill development when starting out, said Samson.
The teams, which are made up of cancer survivors, promote cancer awareness and actively compete at festivals in the Comox Valley, Port Alberni, Victoria, Nanaimo and Port Hardy, which held its first dragon boat festival last year.
Team River Spirit also participates in Relay for Life, Run for the Cure, Cops for Cancer and the Terry Fox Run.