The West Coast Dragon Boat Society hosts its first regatta of the season this Sunday, June 12 at Sproat Lake Provincial Park.
The Ladies of the Lake and Paddle Pushers from the Alberni Valley will join 10 Island-based out-of-town teams for the eighth annual ladies’ event.
Action gets underway at 10 a.m. and wraps up at 3 p.m. The finish line is in line with the boat ramp at the park, so there is plenty of space for spectators to get a great view of the race course, organizer John Robbins said.
“The public is more than welcome to come out and watch. There should be some great racing out there,” he said. Admission is free and there are no longer any parking fees at the park, he added.
The society owns three boats, and some of the other teams may be bringing their own boats, which will guarantee some exciting matches. The course is 350 metres long and runs parallel to the beach.
The Shriners will have their concession bus on site too.
The next event for the West Coast Dragon Boat Society will see 15 mixed, men’s, women’s and junior teams come out on the last Sunday in September to compete. This event is so popular that there is always a waiting list, Robbins said.
For more information about these events or dragon boating in the Alberni Valley, please call Robbins at 250-724-5303 or e-mail dragonboat@shaw.ca.
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