Multiple teams from the Penticton Dragon Boat Club really pulled (or paddled) their weight at the recent Kamloops Dragon Boat Festival on Aug. 10.
Three Penticton teams and 23 other teams from across the Okanagan and the Lower Mainland competed in the mixed and women’s events. The women’s team 22 in Sync pulled off an amazing finish in their last race to nab first place in the Women’s B division. Less than a second later, Despirit Housewives made their finish, with both Penticton teams beating competitors from Vernon and Fort Langley.
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Peach City Dragons won the Mixed A division final with the fastest time of the day, leaving top teams from Fort Langley, Harrison and Kelowna in their wake. Penticton’s number one mixed team Peaches made it a fight to the finish in their heat with all four teams finishing the 500-meter sprint less than two seconds apart. The Peaches posted a race time of 1 minute and 55 seconds, and officials had to rely on video replay to confirm their impressive win.
Now it’s up to the teams to use this momentum in their own stomping grounds at the upcoming Penticton Dragon Boat Festival. The event, which takes place Sept. 7 and 8, is still looking for volunteers. Those interested are asked to email admin@pentictondragonboat.com.
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