Roughly 1,500 paddlers will be on Nanaimo waters this weekend racing to raise money for breast cancer survivors and research. ((Vancouver Island Landscapes)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

dragonboats

1,500 dragonboaters fill Nanaimo waters for competitive, emotional weekend

Jul 5, 2019 | 6:18 AM

NANAIMO — Thousands of paddlers will be on the water in Nanaimo’s harbour putting themselves through a grueling but rewarding race.

Roughly 1,500 racers across 60 teams will cruise along the water for the 17th annual Nanaimo Dragonboat Festival, from Friday, July 5 to Sunday, July 7, at Maffeo Sutton Park.

Co-organizer Leslie Sutton said the festival has expanded dramatically since it first began as a way for breast cancer survivors to come together.

“Now it’s become even more. It’s more competitive, or people come out just to enjoy it. It’s quite an enjoyable sport.”

Over $700,000 has been donated to the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation and the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society thanks to dragonboat festival fundraising.

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There’s a Sunday race dedicated solely for breast cancer survivors, who take off at 11:10 a.m.

“It’s quite emotional to watch them race, knowing they’ve come through this disease and are on the other side happy and healthy.” _{Leslie Sutton}

Paddlers come from all over the world to race in Nanaimo waters.

Sutton said it’s been wonderful to watch the sport grow and expand over the last 17 years and seeing new international racers.

“They love Nanaimo. They love being in the sunshine and being part of the adventure at the park.”

The first dragonboat races start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 6 and run throughout the weekend.

It’s the first event of the Marine Festival, which continues the next two weeks with the Silly Boat Regatta and Bathtub Weekend.

There is no public parking in Maffeo Sutton Park during the festival.

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