After a three-year hiatus, a beloved sporting event is set to make its way back to Harrison Lake.
The Fraser Valley Paddling Club and Dragon Boat B.C. announced on Monday, Feb. 13, that the Harrison Dragon Boat Festival will return in July for the first time since 2019.
The festival is scheduled for July 22 and registration is now open at register.dragonboatbc.ca. Teams will check in early in the morning at 6:45 a.m. with races starting at 8:30 a.m. Weather permitting, there will be 200-metre and 500-metre courses with two divisions – mixed and women’s only. Prizes are to be determined as of publication.
RELATED: Thirteenth annual Dragon Boat Regatta in Harrison
The Dragon Boat Festival was cancelled for the past three years due not only due to the COVID-19 pandemic and due to “economic considerations.”
“The two organizations are excited to welcome teams back,” read a statement from the FVPC and Dragon Boat B.C. “and judging from the registrations received so far, it looks like teams are ready to come back!”
The Harrison Dragon Boat Festival dates back to 2005. Up to 70 teams – or 1,850 paddlers, nearly equivalent to Harrison’s entire population – are invited to participate every year.
The FVPC is the former Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Club, which was founded in 2001. The group of volunteers promotes paddling and dragon boat racing, hosting numerous races such as the Battle of the Paddles and the Echo Island Challenge.
For more information, email info@dragonboatbc.ca.
adam.louis@ ahobserver.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.