23 April 2007
COLLINGWOOD – Registration is now open for the second annual Collingwood Sidelaunchers Dragon Boat Festival. This year’s event will be held on Aug. 25.
Last year was the first year of organizing the event for the Collingwood Dragon Boat and Canoe Club. A number of changes were made to the format, including the race course and the athlete’s village. CDBCC president Brian Saunderson said a number of the teams reacted very positively to the changes, and the club received rave reviews to how the event was organized.
“Last year was very much a rebuilding year for the event,” Saunderson said. “And while a number of the teams came away feeling very good about the day, there are still some things we want to work with so it remains a fun and entertaining event for teams and spectators, and a successful event for the Town of Collingwood.”
The mixed-recreational, family/youth, and women races will follow the same format as last year. However, a key change to this year’s event is the introduction of a competitive knock-off division; entries to this division will be limited to 12 teams. Teams will race off in a qualifying heat (500 m) to determine ranking, then race a series of 250-metre races in succession to determine a winner.
“This will be somewhat different than the regular format, but it will be a lot of fun, and very exciting,” Saunderson said. “Strenuous for the teams on the water, but exciting – especially for the folks watching on shore.”
The club has again signed on with event facilitator Great White North; GWN provides the BUK boats used in last year’s event, as well as officiating and course set-up.
E-3 Community Services will also be the charity-of-choice for the festival. Last year’s event raised $2,300 for E-3, acommunity organization that provides services to people with special needs.

Registration fees are $850 for a mixed or women’s team, and $750 for a family or out-of-town team. The competitive
knock-off division fee is $750. Registration includes one free practice session with a member of CDBCC providing
coaching; additional practices are available for $100 per session. The club will also provide trained steerspeople on the
day of the event for $50 if a team requires one.
Register before June 15, and receive an additional practice session at no cost.
This year, the club is also offering day camp programs for youth ages 8 to 14, as well as a club crew program (a great
way to tune yourself up for the dragon boat festival!).
For more information on the festival, and other programs offered by the Collingwood Dragon Boat & Canoe Club,
check out our web site at www.collingwooddragonboats.ca, or e-mail info@collingwooddragonboats.ca.
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Reporters/broadcasters: For more information, please contact Ian Adams at (705) 444-6953, or e-mail
jaimek@sympatico.ca.