The Canadian Cancer Society’s Dragon Boat Festivals have something for everyone. Two of them are weekends of fun, entertainment and racing in the great outdoors. Another allows school students to compete for the top prize. And another allows participants to get their dragon boating on in the dead of winter. And in every case, Manitobans make a difference by raising critical funds for the fight against cancer.
The festivals are open to individuals, friends, companies, and organizations looking for a healthy way to team-build, have some fun, and enjoy a little friendly competition.
Indoor Dragon Boat Festival
The Canadian Cancer Society, together with the Manitoba Paddling Association, presented the first annual Canadian Cancer Society Indoor Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday, February 17th at the Pan Am Pool, and it was a splashing success! It was a fun-filled event that gave participants a taste of summer with lots of splashing around and a festival atmosphere that made us forget about Winnipeg's winter weather. The fun indoor paradise also provided a chance to make good on fitness resolutions some of us made for the New Year!
The festival features an innovative style of paddling (Check out
this video to see how it works). Teams of 8 paddlers will compete in three classes - Male, Female and Mixed - and will be grouped into high school, recreational, competitive and corporate categories. The winners of each category in their respective classes then compete against each other until an overall winner in each class is determined.
It was a chance to brush up on dragon boat skills, have some laughs and lead your team to victory on the water - even if it's snowy outside! Paddlers also contributed to the fight against ALL cancers in Manitoba through pledges.
This was the first time an event like this has taken place in Western Canada, and we’ll be doing it again next year!
For questions contact Dave McKnight at
dmcknight@mb.cancer.ca or by phone at 204-788-4547
2014 River City Dragon Boat Festival
The Canadian Cancer Society, together with the Manitoba Paddling Association, presents the 2014 River City Dragon Boat Festival, taking place June 6 & 7, 2013 at the Manitoba Water Ski Park on Lake Shirley in Winnipeg. It’s a weekend of fun, entertainment, and racing!
The event is open to everyone, from corporate to community teams, or ones made up of family and friends.
For more information and to view the full Dragon Boat Festival site
click here!
Manitoba School Dragon Boat Challenge
The Canadian Cancer Society, together with the Manitoba Paddling Association, proudly presented the Manitoba School Dragon Boat Challenge on June 9, 2013 at the Manitoba Water Ski Park on Lake Shirley in Winnipeg. Junior and senior high school students from all across the province paddled, raced and fundraised for incentives and bragging rights, but most importantly, to make a difference in the fight against all cancers!
This festival is currently the largest school dragon boat festival in western Canada, and promotes the choice of an active, healthy lifestyle. It is open to teams from junior and senior high schools in Manitoba.
For more information, and to view the full School Dragon Boat Festival site click here.
Stay tuned for info on the 2014 School Dragon Boat Challenge! To find out more now email dragonboat@mb.cancer.ca.
September Dragon Boat Challenge
The 2013 Canadian Cancer Society September Dragon Boat Challenge is taking place September 6 & 7, 2013 at The Forks in Winnipeg.
The September Challenge is a unique event, and will soon become a paddler’s favorite. The boats for this festival are half the size of a regular dragon boat and twice the fun! This is the first festival in western Canada to use these exciting new boats!
Teams will be able to register a maximum roster of 15 members (10 paddlers, a drummer, a steerer and 3 spares). The registration fees below allow you to register Two (2) teams for the price of one (if you choose)! In order to participate in practices and races, each boat must have a minimum of 8 paddlers and a steerer.
More information or to register