Angels Abreast Dragon Boat Team

The Angels Abreast Dragon Boat team was appalled at the announcement by The Fairway Gorge Paddling club that they had relocated the Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival from Maffeo Sutton Park, in Nanaimo, to the Gorge in Victoria.  It was announced that the festival would be re-named the “South Island Dragon Boat Festival”.  This unexpected announcement has given rise to mixed reactions, mostly disbelief, from our central Island dragon boat teams.

In view of the short notice given, members of various dragon boat teams are looking at the feasibility of hosting the festival this summer in Nanaimo and are committed to establishing , as a yearly event, the Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival. Again, because of the short time line, this festival may be streamlined as compared to previous years. Going forward we hope to work with the City of Nanaimo and other dragon boat teams to re-establish a bigger, fun filled festival next year and for the following years to come.

We will update this site as soon as we have any new information. Please check back often.

President:     Roseleagh Lalande      roseleagh@gmail.com

Vice-president:   Lesley Lambert        vinceandlesley@shaw.ca

Treasurer:     Linda Yemen         lyemen@telus.net

Secretary:     Karen Becia          kcbecia@telus.net

Director:      Deb Corsaro         debracorsaro@gmail.com

Director:     Chris MacLeod       candle.cam@shaw.ca

Director:     Teresa Bellinger       bellinger@shaw.ca

Thank you Bev

Finally we had a high tide in Newcastle Channel and we were able to paddle out and clean up our Bra Pole. The boat was braced and our tiller Claude climbed up on a seat to work. Old ugly bras were taken down and our new glittery bra was put up. Thanks to Vince who worked so hard to make this masterpiece. Its a sight to behold!

July 8th and 9th 2023 saw 42 dragon boat teams arrive in Nanaimo for the 20th anniversary of the festival to race in our beautiful channel. We had great weather and wild currents for our 2 day festival. Seven Teams participated in the Breast Cancer Challenge Race while Nusa”Lon Dragons won the women’s Guts and Glory in a close and exciting race. The Dragon Slayers won the mixed.

Our Angel Abreast Dragon Boat Team placed 2nd in our division. Always fun to race in our own water!

FRIDAY JULY 7TH 2023 SURVIVOR DINNER

Pre Covid Save on Foods in Nanaimo hosted a breast cancer survivor dinner on the Friday night before the festival began. They have since pulled away and our Angels Abreast Dragon Boat Team decided that we would host this event. We are proud to say that 8 teams participated with 165 paddlers attending from Alberta, British Columbia and the United States. Linnia from Live Wire Catering provided a festive room and delicious meal. Our DJ provided great music and a good time was had by all.

Race the River in beautiful Campbell River

Thanks to all the paddlers who filled our boat and made it a great day of racing

Breast cancer survivors!

We are looking for you.

Come out and meet a great bunch of like minded women who have discovered the joy of dragon boating after surviving breast cancer. We paddle on our beautiful Newcastle Channel in Nanaimo. Try it and see if you like it. There is no obligation. Contact one of our team officers for further information.

New date

The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival has changed the date for the breast cancer survivor challenge race. This year it will be held on the first day of the festival, Saturday July 8th, 2023 at 11:30. The carnation ceremony will follow at noon

President: Wendy Hall wendy_hall@shaw.ca

Vice President: Lesley Lambert vinceandlesley@shaw.ca

Secretary: Bev Reid cominghomefilms23@gmail.com

Treasurer: Linda Yemen lyemen@telus.net

Director: Chris MacLeod candle.cam@shaw.ca

Debra Corsaro debracorsaro@gmail.com

Captain: Janine Smith ijapsmith@shaw.ca