Another great Vancouver tradition is coming on June 11 and 12 to False Creek: The 23rd Annual Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival. Along with the popular races, a new Dragon Boat Film Festival will be introduced.
There are two films that will be shown. In the Same Boat is a reflection on dragon boating as a metaphor for life. We Can’t See You Beating Us follows Eye of the Dragon, a local team of visually-impaired paddlers.
Over 100,000 spectators are expected to attend. Close to 180 teams (from the Lower Mainland and around the globe) are registered for this year’s event, including:
Tao Ti Phat Phish Racing Two friends having coffee thought, “What if we formed a dragon boat team?”; Seven years later they’re still having fun, raising money for charity, and refining their skills on the water.
False Creek Grandragons Members range in age from 50 to over 80! This year, they’re out to win back the Seniors’ Cup!
Conquering Waves By “conquering waves”, they hope to conquer the stigma of mental illness.
Friday, June 10
2 pm Eye-dotting ceremony at the Dragon Zone docks
Saturday, June 11
8 am Races begin
10 am Site activities open
11 am World Beat Stage entertainment begins
6 pm Festival Site closed
Sunday, June 12
8 am Races begin
10 am Site activities open
11 am World Beat Stage entertainment begins
12 pm Championship races begin (time approximate)
1:30 pm Welcome Remarks from World Beat Stage
6 pm Dragon Boat Festival entertainment ends; Site closed to the general public
6 pm Paddler’s Party begins
[Flickr image credit: RayVanEng]
Location: Concord Place, Creekside Community Centre and the waters of False Creek, near Science World.
Nearest SkyTrain Station: Science World.
Cost: Admission is free. Come on down to the waters of False Creek and enjoy!
The Alcan Dragon Boat Festival is presented by the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society.
