With Women's divisions now in every major festival in the region, Women’s paddling is clearly the largest growing demographic in dragon boat today. The Women's Island Classic is a great way for established women’s teams, and "throw together" teams, to come together and compete in a fun, humorous, and social environment. It is a great race opportunity to prepare for upcoming summer festivals, such as Gorge Fest (August 6 at GRPC), Victoria Dragon Boat Festival (August 12-14 at Victoria Inner Harbour) and more.

Racing kicks off at 9am with a time trial to rank all crews. Heats, semi-finals, and finals will fun until approximately 1pm. After formal racing, there will be the Choose Your Ringers Tug of War Challenge. In the Tug of War, a team will choose their ten “ringers” (1/2 the team) then face off against another team in the same boat – Teams will face each other, paddle hard against each other to push past a line to determine the winner! The Tug of War is about the bragging rights!

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EVENT QUICK FACTS:

Event: 3rd Annual Womens Island Classic Dragon Boat Regatta

Event Type: 500 Metre Dragon Boat Spring Racing, Tug of War Challenge

Location: Gorge Rowing & Paddling Centre

Time: 9am to 2pm (approx end time).

Event Website
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The Women's Island Classic is one of two exclusive Women's Only Dragon Boat events on Vancouver Island. The other is the Nanaimo Women's Cup on Saturday, September 27 at Maffeo-Sutton Park, also run by GO and the Nanaimo Paddling Centre. For more information, visit www.gorowandpaddle.org/events.

GO Rowing and Paddling Association of Canada (GO) is a non-profit Amateur Athletic Association, and Registered Charity, dedicated to developing rowing and paddling sports in Canada.

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