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Get ready for the booming sound of drums that will echo the beat of your heart. This weekend, more than 1,000 paddlers will descend on Alta Lake for the second annual Whistler Dragon Boat Festival.
Some 33 teams are set to compete, more than double the 13 teams that took part in last year’s inaugural event. With only one other race available in Western Canada to qualify a team for the Canadian Championship, held later this year in Montreal, the competition will be fierce.
The excitement will begin Friday (July 3) in the Village. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., a Lion’s Dance, which will awaken the spirit of the dragon, will be performed while buskers with an Asian flavour will help spice up the mood. Mayor Ken Melamed will do the honours of awakening the dragon, painting a dot on the dragon’s eye.
“He will awaken the spirit of the dragon and prepare the boats for battle,” said Jackie Webber, the festival’s organizer.
Part of the dance will also include feeding cabbage to the lion.
“This will be to give good spirit to everyone and wish them safe travel and safe battling,” said Webber.
On Saturday (July 4) at 9:30 a.m., the battleground will open, and teams will race the 200- and 500-metre races. The climax of the day will occur with the 1,000-metre race, because, unlike the other races, it is one with a turn.
“It’s a steersperson’s race,” said Webber, adding that the 180-degree turn around a buoy that teams must do is an incredible challenge.
“It’s a 500-pound boat, with about 1,000 pounds of people, and they have to turn it on a dime,” she said.
Instead of starting at the same time, boats participating in the 1,000-metre race are staggered.
“One boat charges down, then 10 seconds later, another one will charge. They try to overtake each other,” said Webber, adding that it is the race that is the most fun for spectators.
The team to keep an eye on is one from the False Creek Racing Canoe Club. They are a mixed team and won the world championships in Prague.
“They’re very, very fast,” said Webber.
On Sunday (July 5), the day begins at 8:30 a.m. and will include the semifinals and finals. The highlight of the day will be the Scotiabank Breast Cancer Survivor Race, which will occur around noon, and will be followed by a carnation ceremony.
“It’s a really good tradition,” Webber said of the ceremony and the race, “There are four teams (of breast cancer survivors) participating. It’s really exciting to watch them race.”
Throughout both of the days there will also be a DJ playing music, lion dancing, martial arts demonstrations, and a giant canoe to be filled with cans for the Whistler Food Bank.
With next year’s festival in Whistler set to be the site of the Canadian Championships, this weekend promises to be one of intense battling and great entertainment.
“Come to Rainbow,” urged Webber. “Come and experience the tradition and celebration.”
For more information, visit whistlerdragonboat.com.
