Dragon boat races set to go

The first-ever “Boundary Waters Dragon Boat Festival” is still looking for paddlers in the community to come out and race with a team on Canada Day.
“We have seven teams, and we are looking for more,” said organizer Jenny Greenhalgh on Monday.

“We are planning to have registration during ‘Mall Days’ [in front of NCDS] on Scott Street, and on the day of the race,” she added.
They are hoping to have nine or 10 teams in total by July 1st.
The cost to participate is $25 per person, which helps to cover the cost of the 22Dragons, a dragon boat club based in Montreal that is helping to organize the event.
The club is sending four members, some who are fully certified dragon boat race officials, have competed nationally in dragon boat races, and have taught people of all levels to assist with practice sessions as well as on race day.
“They are very professional and very experienced...we tried to have that to make sure we’ve got a really good event,” Greenhalgh enthused.
They are bringing in two boats, which the teams will race against each other in 200 metre races, which will begin near Crowe Avenue on the river and finish at the Sorting Gap Marina.
“The practice sessions will be from Wednesday (tonight) through to Friday, and people can come down to the Sorting Gap Marina and have a look and decide whether or not they would like to have a go,” she explained, adding that one of the professional racers will be here early to show people how the boats work.
The public is invited to come observe the evening sessions later this week, which will be held from 5-8 p.m. each night.
“I think once people see it they’ll understand a lot more about it,” said Greenhalgh.
She noted that many people in Fort Frances have seen the dragon boats in other communities, and seem excited that they will be here on July 1st.
“They think it’s a really great thing to bring to the community,” remarked Greenhalgh.
This year, the event is simply a fun Canada Day activity, but if it is successful, then next year organizers hope it could be used to raise funds for a local charity.
There is no official age limit, but they recommend that children be 12 years or older.
The official event will take place on the river front from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on July 1st.