The Despirit Housewives were on a high after winning the Women’s Blue A final of the Prospera Vernon Dragon Boat Festival last weekend at Kalamalka Beach.
The Penticton crew finished the 500-metre course in two minutes 20.73 seconds, six seconds ahead of Kelowna’s Dragon in the Drink (2:26.43) and Fire on Water (2:27.72) in the division sponsored by Natures Fare.
In the Mixed A division, sponsored by Kal Tire, Rogue Dragons (2:06.54), KDBC High Frequency (2:12.74), and Mav-wRecks (2:13.74) rounded out the top three. The Prospera Piranhas clocked a 2:21.73 for first in the Mixed Red A class, finishing ahead of Extreme Currents (2:22.90) and Dam Survivors (2:28.80).
The Women’s Red A Final was won by Friends Abreast (2:42.74). Second place was a rare tie between 22 In Sync and Knotty Pacemakers (2:46.11).
Vernon’s Poseidon’s Fury turned in a 2:29.45 for third in the Mixed Blue B final. Vernon Dragon Riders earned second in the Women’s Red B Final with 2:51.03.
The Buoyant Buddies, who are Vernon’s breast cancer survivor team, won the Sun FM Cup as well as the Blue B Division Final in 2:30.81.
The Vernon Dragon Boat Festival featured 22 teams (11 women’s and 11 mixed) and more than 570 athletes, mainly from the Thompson Okanagan. The event is organized by the Vernon Rowing & Paddling Centre, and by Go Rowing and Paddling Association of Canada.
For more information about paddling sports in Vernon, visit gorowandpaddle.org, or contact Lisa George, of the Vernon Rowing & Paddling Centre, at info@gorowandpaddle.org.
The charity event raised more than $6,300 for the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, with the money earmarked for the purchase of breast cancer diagnostic equipment.
