Sync or Swim Blown Away at the Nanaimo Dragon Boat Regatta

This past weekend on Saturday, July 13, Sync or Swim attended the Nanaimo Dragon Boat Regatta organized by VI Paddling. This year's event was to consist of 200m races in 20-paddler boats, with more than 30 teams competing across women's and mixed categories. Special events like a carnation ceremony and a breast cancer survivor challenge race were also on the agenda.

Despite our preparation and excitement, the event faced an unexpected challenge this year. Strong winds and rough waters wound up leading to the cancellation of the regatta in the afternoon, as safety is always the top priority. Before the cancellation, Sync or Swim was one of the teams fortunate enough to complete one 200m race with a time of 00:58:61. While we didn't win (or lose) any awards, we spent the day bonding as a team with many of the paddlers trying their hands at the two-man dragon boats.

The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Regatta has a long history and has become one of Vancouver Island's largest dragon boating events. The festival not only celebrates the sport of dragon boating but also raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research, making it a meaningful event for many participants and spectators. The breast cancer survivor races, in particular, are a reminder of the strength and resilience of those who have battled the disease. For Sync or Swim, the festival holds special significance as our own coach, Lesley Lambert, is a breast cancer survivor. Her journey and strength inspire us every day, and we are proud to paddle under her guidance.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to VI Paddling for their efforts in organizing the event. We understand the disappointment of having to cancel the races, but we appreciate their commitment to our safety and the sport. We look forward to future events and the opportunity to race again under better conditions.