On Sept. 14, the annual Comox Dragon Boat Festival will take place at Marina Park in Comox. Paddlers from across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the lower mainland will all be competing in these 200-metre races. 

鈥淲e are excited to welcome everyone back to the Comox Valley after the resounding success of the 2023 event, 鈥渟aid Tom Arnold, President of VI Paddling. 鈥淭eams from across the region gather to race in both standard (20 paddler) and small (10-paddler) dragon boats. We initiated the small boat race in 2023, the only 10-paddler dragon boat race in BC, and both participants and the crowd loved it.鈥�   

The event features a large range of experience levels and ages. One of the teams competing is the newly formed Comox-based team, Wake Makers, who will be competing after only four practices. Also featured are youth teams where the youngest member is 12 and a senior team which includes paddlers in their 70鈥檚.

鈥淎s a partner in this event, the Town of Comox is looking forward to having people gather at Comox Marina Park for this year鈥檚 event,鈥� said Comox Mayor, Nicole Minions. 鈥淭he growth of this competition, combined with the stunning backdrop that the Comox Valley, presents a significant opportunity for our region with attendance expected to reach over 900. This event is on target to be the second-largest dragon boat race on Vancouver Island.鈥�