Dragon Boat festival
Published Wednesday July 23rd, 2008
The fourth annual McInnes Cooper Dragon Boat Festival takes place Sunday, Sept. 7
Don't be surprised if you see a dragon on the river this summer.
It's here in preparation for the fourth annual McInnes Cooper Dragon Boat Festival, taking place Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Small Craft Aquatic Centre.
This event brings together people of all athletic backgrounds for a fun day of races, entertainment and more. And while everyone is having a great time, they're raising money for two important causes - KidSport and the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic.
"We're right on track," says Evan MacInnis, athlete services manager with Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic.
"We have 33 teams confirmed so far."
There are still a few spots left that the organizers would like to see fill up, he says, so anyone who is interested should contact Sport New Brunswick.
The sooner they do, the sooner they can start fundraising and getting pumped up to get on the water. Jason Dickson, executive director of Sport New Brunswick, says the organizers have their fingers crossed for a sunny, warm day with low winds for this year's event.
"We had 6,000 people come through the festival site last year," he says. "We provide a lot of different things for everybody."
For the 800 or so participants, there is, of course, the races, which focus on fun and friendly competition.
Teams of 20, along with a drummer to help keep the beat, paddle their boats down the St. John River in front of the Small Craft Aquatic Centre.
The dragon boats are stable and each race only lasts a couple of minutes, so this is the perfect event for even the most inexperienced team.
Prior to the event, each registered team has the option of doing two training sessions, so they get out on the water to learn the basics of paddling.
Even if you're not on a team, everyone is welcome to come down, cheer on the racers, check out the entertainment and enjoy a family-friendly day. "It's a good day to take the kids down," says Dickson. "The draw of the festival is that you have those who want to watch it, those who want to compete in it and things on the side for just about anybody."
He has high praise for the Small Craft Aquatic Centre, where the event is held each year.
"They're really accommodating and they're really good about helping us," he says. "We are thankful for their help."
The funds raised through the Dragon Boat Festival are divided between two organizations that are dedicated to helping those interested in sport.
The money that goes to Sport New Brunswick is for KidSport, a children's charity.
Its objective is to help children of families facing financial obstacles participate in community sport programs.
"It is spread all over the province to several chapters," says Dickson.
"The Dragon Boat Festival provides an opportunity for funding that is needed to help these kids get into sport."
As it's increasingly hard to get kids active, he says, "it's even worse when you have a kid that wants to be involved but can't be for financial reasons."
Being able to help kids get over those hurdles is the reason for the event, he says.
The Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic supports the development of New Brunswick's amateur athletes through high performance training groups in the province. The regional groups that are helped include cycling, judo and wrestling, says MacInnis.
"If you're from Atlantic Canada, you train out of these groups in hopes of making it to the national level."
The funds that are raised are proving to make a difference, he notes, as athletes in those sports have done well at a national and international level.
People often think that since amateur athletes are training and travelling for competitions, they must have a lot of money, he notes, "but really, it's tough for them."
Athletes often have to balance school and training with competing, so the money raised through things like the Dragon Boat Festival can make a big difference.
"What we do is we give it directly to the head coaches, as they know where the money is needed," says MacInnis.
Usually it goes to things like training equipment, support and travel, as to be competitive with the rest of Canada, those are all necessary.
Beyond the fact that it's fun and supporting a couple of great causes, MacInnis encourages people to be part of the Dragon Boat Festival because it promotes physical activity.
"As a participant, it's not strenuous. Anybody can paddle a boat," he says. "It's a great activity to be involved in - you're on the water, it's a nice day."
The races begins around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Small Craft Aquatic Centre. Throughout the day, there will be entertainment by the Chinese Cultural Centre, as well as music, sports demonstrations, a kids area and food. Local amateur athletes will also be around that day.
"Come out, get involved and, if you can, participate," says MacInnis. "We'd like to see as many people participate as possible."
If you're not interested in getting out on the water, volunteers are always welcome as well.
"The day is great, there's lots of stuff going on," he says. "It's not a competitive race, it's a festival."
And this festival truly has something for everybody, he adds. If you want to get involved, but aren't on a team, no problem. MacInnis has a list of individuals that he will slot onto other teams. Organizers will be doing public paddles Tuesday nights from 7-8 p.m. for those interested in trying dragon boating.
All they ask is for a small donation of $2 per person for going out for the hour. Participants must sign a waiver before heading out on the water. To learn more, contact Sport New Brunswick at 451-1341 or visit www.sportnb.com.
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