In the mixed division we've got local favourite and last year's winner O'kai I'Kicka U'as up against some strong teams from Vancouver Island (Extreme Reach, Mentor Mariners), as well as some past year's winners. In the women's division - the biggest division - local crews will be in the mix for the A final. Last year's winning womens team, Despirit Housewives, is having a strong year as they train for the San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival later this month. Dragon Bottom's, third last year, will likely see the Women's A final, along with Paddlemonium - an up-and-coming team.  Both teams are from Penticton.

Sunday's races will include the Breast Cancer Survivor Finals and carnation ceremony. Local favourite, Survivorship, celebrating their 10th year, will likely make the A final and are poised to win the "Dale Charles Memorial Cup" Trophy for top breast cancer survivor team.  "As part of the 10th Anniversary we invited teams from all over. We've got 12 breast cancer survivor teams racing and celebrating here this weekend", said Cathie Lauer, founding member of the South Okanagan Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Team. "After we invited all these teams, we realized we better start training harder or we might have to present our beloved trophy to another team", said Lauer with a chuckle, "we've been training much harder the last several weeks and are looking forward to the event!"

The festival, at Skaha Lake near the Marina, will feature a beverage garden (with all proceeds going to Survivorship), food vendors and on sunday a market.  Racing starts at 8 am both days and wraps up approx. 2:30 pm. The "Greatest Steersperson in the World" race starts at 2:30 pm saturday. The Breast Cancer Final and carnation ceremony starts approx. 10:40 am on sunday.  Finals start at 11:40 am sunday, with 6 boats going head to head in the most exciting racing of the weekend.  The medals and  awards, including trophies for Top Women's Crew, Top Breast Cancer Survivor Crew, Top Okanagan Crew and Top Crew Overall will be presented in the beverage garden sunday afternoon.

The Raymond James Penticton Dragon Boat Festival is organized by Go Rowing and Paddling Association of Canada and the Penticton Paddling Centre.

Check out www.pentictondragonboat.com.

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