May 4 @ 8:30 am – 11:00 am
May the 4th be with you as you enjoy this fun-filled day in Campbell River! 🌟
Race the River: Dragonboat Regatta is happening on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, in Campbell River.
The event will kick off at 8:30am at Dick Murphy Park, Tyee Spit. 🚣
Stay updated by following the Facebook page ‘River Spirit’.
Come together and cheer on the teams (but mostly CR’s own River Spirit!)
Who is River Spirit?
River Spirit is a dragon boat team originally founded in Campbell River as a breast cancer survivor team.
Now it’s open to all women paddlers and engages in activities to support cancer awareness and community spirit.
Dragon Boat Racing in Canada?
The sport gained traction in North America following its showcase at Vancouver’s Expo 86, where the Chinese delegation donated six dragon boats. These boats were later used in the first dragon boat races in Canada.
The sport’s popularity grew further thanks to initiatives like Dr. Don McKenzie’s work with breast cancer survivors.
Dr. Don McKenzie, of the University of British Columbia, initiated a pioneering program in 1996 to study the effects of dragon boat paddling on breast cancer survivors.
His research challenged the prevailing medical advice against rigorous upper body exercise post-treatment. His findings showed that the sport improved fitness and well-being without increasing the risk of lymphedema, a common concern among survivors.
