DRAGON BOATS TO HIT WATER FOR WELLAND HERITAGE COUNCIL

ANNUAL FESTIVAL A FUNDRAISER FOR ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS NEWCOMERS

Any doubts Lori Webster may have had about whether people would still be interested in taking to the water on behalf of the Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre (WHCMC) have been dispelled.

Almost all the openings for teams to take part in the June 10 event at the Welland International Flatwater Centre have been filled, Webster said.

"We're at 18 teams and we have room for up to 20," said Webster, who is the WHCMC's lead for the Niagara Foreign Credential

Recognition/Labour Market Orientation programs and who is the event organizer.

Dragon boats are large flatwater racing canoes constructed of solid teak and weighing 1,500 pounds. Corporate and community teams made up of 20 paddlers, one drummer and a steersperson race in friendly competition.

Of note, Webster said, is that more businesses are getting involved in the event and putting together crews and using it as a team-building exercise while helping to support the work of the Heritage Council. Others, she said, are more serious and hope to use the event in preparation for the Canadian Dragon Boat Championships taking place July 20 to 23 at the Flatwater Centre. Teams looking to qualify must be registered with Dragon Boat Canada and all crew must be members.

"Some of the teams are using (the festival) as a qualifier," Webster said.

In addition to the racing, the festival will feature food trucks — "the ice cream truck will be back," Webster said — and a vendor selling canoe and kayak equipment.

There will be a training session for teams the day before the event on June 9. Racing starts the next morning at 8 a.m. and continues all day before wrapping up at 5 p.m.

Funds raised by the event help pay for things that are not covered by government funding the centre receives, including shelter apartments to house newcomers and other needs such as office supplies.

More information on the event can be found at www.wellanddragonboatfestival.com.