For Nanaimo-based women’s dragon boat paddle team, Let Her Run, the goal is simple: have fun and no drama.
“One of the strong points of our team is that camaraderie and no drama. We really support one another in the boat,” said Kim Duncan, team manager for Let Her Run.
Let Her Run is just one of more than 70 boats participating in the Nanaimo Save-On-Foods Dragon Boat Festival, which takes place this weekend (July 7-9) at Maffeo Sutton Park.
The festival kicks off on Friday evening at 9:15 p.m. with a candlelight ceremony at Sway’ A’ Lana Lagoon. Races will take place throughout Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. The festival will conclude with an award ceremony at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Let Her Run was founded last year after a previous dragon team dissolved due to a member who passed away. The team is made up of 20 women and one man who all have a range of experience.
“I think the main thing is we have fun. Winning is a nice second. As much as we are a competitive team, that is not our primary focus,” said Jo Cornthwaite, team member.
Coming off a third-place finish in Port Alberni earlier this summer, Let Her Run believe they have a very strong team with that ability to finish well in the Nanaimo races.
“We are an up-and-coming team. I think we are pretty competitive and people are starting to notice us. This may not be our year to win, but I think sometime in the next two or three years could be our year to win,” Cornthwaite said.
Heiko Behn, Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival Society chairman, said this year’s theme for the festival is the silver screen, meaning spectators can expect to see participants dressed up as their favourite movie stars.
The dragon boat festival is a fundraiser for breast cancer treatment and support in Nanaimo. The festival features races and ceremonies dedicated to breast cancer survivors and victims and money raised from participating teams and throughout the weekend will be donated to the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation and Nanaimo Community Hospice Society.
Duncan said while her team does get involved with dressing up, it’s more focused on the races and the cancer support aspect of the festival.
Regardless of how they finish, Sasha Chernenkoff, teammate, said they’re looking forward to getting on the water and racing with friends for a good cause.
“We are competing against ourselves,” she said. “It’s great being out there crossing the finish line giving it everything you’ve got and panting at the end and feeling like you accomplished something.”
For a schedule of festival events, visit www.nanaimodragonboat.com.
reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com
