Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival takes place June 22 - 24, 2018.
Photo: Jeremy Dyson
It’s that time of year again when shouts of “paddles up” can be heard along False Creek as local dragon boat teams hit the water practicing for the 2018 race season. Vancouver’s Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival celebrating its 30th anniversary this year is the largest and longest running event on the North American dragon boat racing circuit.
This summer, an estimated 6,000 elite paddlers from 10 nations will be in Vancouver to strive for championship titles and bragging rights. Teams from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany, Australia, and across Canada will compete at the three-day festival, June 22 to 24, injecting an estimated $6 million into the local economy.
Celebrate community, culture, and competition, June 22-24
Photo: Jeremy Dyson
More than a sporting event, the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is a celebration of the visual, performing, and culinary arts. The musical Main Stage showcases local and international recording artists. Street performers, lion dancers, and circus acrobats roam the festival site. Vancouver’s famous street food is a main attraction, offering everything from grilled gourmet hot dogs to dim sum. The city’s largest licensed outdoor patio measures three hectares and offers a birds’ eye view of the racing action.
Photo: Jeremy Dyson
On June 22, cheer on all-access, survivor, and youth teams as they race to remove barriers, win glory, and raise money for their favourite causes during All Access Friday, a day dedicated to ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, background, or means, can enjoy the positive benefits of sport.
On International Saturday, qualifying teams from around the world compete in the festival’s most fiercely competitive battles, including the Concord Pacific Champions Race Series, featuring the International Cup and the Women’s Guts and Glory Grand Final.
Photo: Jeremy Dyson
The festival winds up with a splash on Championship Sunday, featuring the Divisional and Grand Final Championships, followed by the Medal Ceremonies.
Race to fitness with Dragon Zone Paddling Club
Dragon Boat BC manages the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, the Steveston Dragon Boat Festival, and Dragon Zone Paddling Club, where youth members of Team Canada’s Under-16 and Under-18 world champion paddlers train, using the docks, boat sheds, and facilities at the Creekside Community Centre.
Photo: Jeremy Dyson
The club offers both recreational and competitive paddling programs. All paddlers enjoy a host of benefits, including access to private boating facilities, all paddling equipment, coaching, team T-shirts, chances to race in two regattas, and registration in the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival.
It’s surprising how affordable recreational dragon boating can be; the more a team practices, the less each session costs. Each member of a 20-person team, practicing once a week for six months, pays just $2.60 per on-the-water practice. Members of a 20-person team practicing three times a week year-round pay just 68¢ per session.
Enjoy free paddling lessons during Community Days
Photo: Jeremy Dyson
It’s first come, first served for up to 500 people on Community Paddling Days, May 6, July 7, and August 11. Dragon Zone Paddling Club and Creekside Kayaks are offering free 45-minute learn-to-paddle sessions on dragon boats and one-hour kayaking rentals. Sessions run from 12:30 to 3:30 pm at Creekside Community Centre. Registration is now open.
The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is free for all ages. To learn more, visit vancouverdragonboatfestival.ca
