Community, Culture and Competition – You have entered the Dragon Zone!

From the moment I dipped my paddle into the waters of Ontario’s Algonquin Park, I was hooked! With each stroke, I travelled further away from civilization and deeper into the backcountry. Immersing myself in the beauty of nature, it was an eye-opening and life-changing experience. From the seat of my canoe, I tested myself both physically and mentally as I battled headwinds, self-doubt and inner fears. It has been years since that first expedition, and since that time my love affair with paddling has only deepened. From Seakayaking to Stand Up Paddleboarding, if the sport involves water and a paddle you can count me in! Always searching for new, unique and challenging paddling opportunities, you can imagine my delight upon hearing the beat of the drums in False Creek! …show more content…
The drumming sound could only mean one thing, Dragon Boating! Brightly coloured boats, twenty paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson working in unison, plying our local waters with pomp and circumstance. With single-minded determination, the team paddled in perfect harmony propelling their magnificent craft at high speed. Does it get any better than that?
Tracing back more than 2000 years, Dragon Boat Racing has its roots in China. The first participants competed to avert misfortune, encourage the rains and worship the dragon. Over time, a second story evolved in which villagers raced out into the water in an attempt to save their beloved poet Qu Yuan. Today, inspired by ancient traditions, young and old take to the waters of False Creek to get a taste of the Dragon Boat experience, an experience that is equal parts culture and