Dragon Boat Festival brings excitement and camaraderie to Riverside Park Saturday

KAMLOOPS– On Saturday (Aug. 10), Riverside Park was packed not only with rib lovers but exciting action on the South Thompson River, as 24 teams from all over B.C. competed in the Kamloops Dragon Boat Festival. There are 22 team members on a boat and another unique trait of the sport is you can compete and paddle at any age.

“The average paddler is, 40 or 50 years old. It just shows everyone that there’s an opportunity, not just as a kid, but once you get older, there are still sports, things you can do at a fun and, competitive level,” says Morgan Yeomans, Event Manager of the Kamloops Dragon Boat Festival.

Each team paddled in three 500-metre races on the river, with the festival ending with a loops race around the river.

One of the Kamloops-based teams competing was the Spirit Warriors Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Team. Founded in 2008, this is the 16th season they have been together. Not only is the sport used to stay active, but team members who spoke to CFJC at the park on Saturday say after 16 years, the team becomes family.