Dragon boat races a success
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More than 1,000 people turned out to the fourth annual Invasion of the Dragon Boats festival in Waterford on Saturday for the music, fun and – especially – the competition.
“This is such a great day for us,” said Lisa Naves from the Lisa Naves Dance Company in Simcoe. “We’re spending time with the dance family, enjoying a little competition, which we love, and supporting a great cause.”
That cause – helping an event and an organization that serves those with cancer – was what drew the dancers and their families to the event in the first place.
As one of their “dance moms” fought a battle with the disease last year, the parents and kids associated with the dance studio entered the dragon boat festival in her honour.
That mom, Andrea Hare, died weeks later but Naves said Hare was “so proud” of what the group was doing.
This year, the Naves’ family filled two dragon boats for the races, each costing $1,000 but split among the 40 participants.
“I don’t think there’s one person on the teams that hasn’t lost someone or been affected by cancer,” Naves said. “And being from a dance studio, we paddle with rhythm!”
Last year about $10,000 was raised to support those dealing with cancer. The funds are split between the annual CIBC Run for the Cure in Simcoe and the Cancer Support and Resource program of Norfolk. That non-profit organization helps those touched by cancer in a variety of emotional or financial ways.
The women behind the Invasion of the Dragons brought their own special talents to play in order to pull off the big event.
Carol Mummery is a breast cancer survivor who found strength in dragon boating after dealing with the disease.
“I was at my first chemo treatment and a nurse there gave me a pamphlet about dragon boating,” says Mummery.
“I had never participated in team sports before and it was a new experience for me.”
Now with a decade of dragon boat knowledge behind her, Mummery paired with a grade-school chum, Gail Catherwood, who “knows everyone in Norfolk” and has plenty of experience running fundraising events in the community.
The third arm of the organization comes from Lively Dragons, a boating club from Burlington/Hamilton that regularly has teams practising the sport. Lively Dragons also teaches dragon boating in schools and rents equipment to other teams or festivals around the province.
“They are masters of what they do,” says Mummery.
“Each team gets three races and there’s a cancer survivor team event. Lively Dragons provides the boats, paddles, docks and life-jackets and we bring the teams and get the venue.”
Waterford was chosen for its central location and river access with parking and room for the teams to set up camp.
As part of the day, there’s a spectator race run where, for $10, anyone can try out the sport.
“It’s been hugely popular,” says Mummery. “Many people in Norfolk didn’t know what a dragon boat is.”
The festival also featured a flower tossing ceremony where, after the cancer survivor race, carnations are thrown on the waters in memory of those who have died.
Mummery said she was most pleased about a team that entered after watching the fun festivities last year from their home across the river. They dubbed themselves Drag’ins Across the Pond.
“Some of the teams here are used to an intensely competitive event but this is a fun, low-key event with still a bit of competition.”
Catherwood said the boats are a great way to introduce something different to the community.
“It’s really all about the cause, getting the word out and getting people to donate,” says Catherwood.
“People love being here and coming up to hand us $5 or $10 and saying ‘I just wanted to give.'”
The organizers said the event’s sponsors – the Audrey Hellyer Foundation and law firm MHN – were critical to helping with expenses.
At the end of the day, the winning teams were Booty and Beasts, and Saints and Sailors, both from Simcoe; Menz Den and Nuke Dragons, both from Waterford; Cronically Fit from Jarvis; Beast Mode, from Brantford; and the Stratford Silver Masters.
SGamble@postmedia.com
@EXPSGamble
Brantford Expositor 2018 ©
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