by yazmin
Paddling for Life Society, a non-profit society with registered-charity status, will host the 2010 Sunshine Coast Final Fling Dragon-Boat Festival at Mowat Bay, on Saturday, Sept, 25, 2010.
Last year, when our team of breast-cancer survivors and supporters attended the annual event at Garden Bay, we agreed to host this year’s regatta in Powell River. The Dragon-Boat movement for breast cancer survivors in BC began in 1996 and there are now hundreds of teams holding festivals and regattas throughout the province. We are supported in this new venture by the Pearl Warriors, a mixed team of men and women who paddle alongside us at Powell Lake. This event is not just for breast cancer survivors—all paddling teams are welcome. The regatta begins at 11 a.m. Saturday morning and will finish about 3 p.m. The bay will come alive with the sounds of race horns, cheering, and drumming. Paddling for Life, the Pearl Warriors from Powell River, and four Sunshine Coast teams, with their supporters, will converge on the race site. “The Final Fling” is the last festival of the season for most Sunshine Coast teams. There will be food vendors onsite, a silent auction, a raffle, an awards ceremony and lots more excitement to round out the day. A 42-feet-long dragon boat carries 20 paddlers, a steersperson, and a drummer or caller. Its prime directive is to paddle in complete unison. It is not always the strongest team that wins, but the one that is best able to work together. “One boat—one paddle” is a dragon boat’s mantra. Read more »
“Hey! The Powell River Pearl Warriors Dragon Boat team is starting another season of paddling. It’s the fastest growing water sport in the world! Wanna come out and join in the fun?”
“A dragon boat? Thought dragons were mythical flying creatures.”
“This dragon’s 42 feet long! It’s like a canoe—but with a steersperson, drummer or caller, and 20-some peeps on it, paddling like mad! People all around the planet do it!”
“Now why would anyone want to do that?”
“The thrill of the competition of course, to name just one reason! However, if you’re not the competitive type, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. We’d like to build at least one team that eventually would like to compete, as we have had in the past, and bring home more medals to add to our past victories!”
“Is it hard?”
“Don’t worry about the beer belly. Moderate fitness is helpful, but not necessary for this sport.
Beginners start wherever they are. In no time, you’ll be a water warrior—probably slimmer, too.”
“Who can join?”
“Pretty much anyone over the age of about 19.
“Hmmm...when and where do Pearl Warriors meet?”
“Twice a week for 120 minutes at the Shinglemill, Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8pm and Saturday at a time yet to be determined. Better scenery than out the gym windows, don’t you think? Come paddle from May through September. First paddle is May 19th at 6pm”
“Are there costs involved?”
“For insurance purposes, yes. There is a nominal fee of $5 per session or $30/month, totalling $120.00 for the season.”
“Do I need any special equipment?” Read more »
by yazmin (a.k.a Miss Quirkyhearts)
It started with the stores’ immediate post-holiday, full-swing, Valentine’s-Day mode. I thought about writing cheeky comments about the joys of being single, even while realising this was bravado. Facing another one of those miserable days alone!
So, I began the research.
Read more »