The Nanaimo Dragonboat Festival is back to full-size this year, the park and the waters will be filled with a battle royale theme.
The festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, July 12-13, at Maffeo Sutton Park, with hundreds of competitors coming to Nanaimo's harbour for a chance at glory.
Maggie Henderson, Fairway Gorge Paddling Club's festival site manager said the two days are expected to be a positive, upbeat atmosphere that showcases the best of the community.
"Maffeo Sutton Park is just such a beautiful location, so it's a great opportunity to cheer people on, watch some really great athletes, see what kind of teamwork and community is all about in the sport," she said, "and it's a good opportunity if you never seen dragon boat racing to soak it in."
In 2024, Fairway Gorge Paddling Club moved the event to Victoria due to increasing costs and lack of government funding, resulting in Nanaimo's festival being a one-day regatta organized by dragon boat teams, V.I. Paddling and the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association.
This year, the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club is partnering with the Nanaimo Paddling Centre to equip the local club to take over a greater role in future festivals, so Fairway Gorge can transition into a supporting role.
"It's really important to have a festival of that magnitude in Nanaimo, just for the community, it's such a great opportunity…" Henderson said. "We've always worked with them in the past, but we're looking to hand off and take a little bit more of a back seat in future years and really let the [Nanaimo Paddling Centre] take a lead."
Racing both days begins at 9 a.m. and ends around 3:30 p.m.
The theme of 'battle royale,' Henderson said, relates to organizers adding land games that competitors can take part in when they're not racing.
"Some ladder ball, some giant Jenga, a little bit happening in the beer garden to keep people's competitive spirits alive as they're waiting in between races."
Corresponding with the timing of the dragonboat festival, Crimson Coast Dance Society's Infringing Dance Festival will hold performances in the park. On July 12 from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Tsatassaya White will present 'qwu ‘u lush ‘utl swy a lana' featuring Indigenous family dancing. On July 13, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. there will be an all-day hip-hop battle in partnership with Vibe Dance, and at 4 p.m. there will be a Splashmob flash mob dance at Sway' A' Lana Lagoon. A Playbriola kids' zone will take place both days. Food trucks will also be on site.
"Come on down and support the Nanaimo community, support the Nanaimo Paddling Centre and enjoy a weekend of fun racing," Henderson said.
People can find out more information on the Dragonboat festival online at http://fgpaddle.com/races/nanaimo-dragon-boat-festival.
