Comox Valley residents Jane Bowering-Hay, Rupert Wong and Dan Walden were all members of the Canadian national dragon boat team that recently competed at the World Dragon Boat Championships, in Thailand.
The Canadian team represented the top paddlers from across the country with a selection process that takes close to a year.
Bowering-Hay and Walden (Senior C 60+) and Wong (Senior B 50+), all members of the Vancouver Island Club 鈥淰I Paddling鈥�, joined over 300 other Canadians on the world stage to compete against 20 other nations to bring home 101 medals. Team Canada also swept the competition to earn all four cups, including the World Nations Cup, Seniors Cup, Juniors Cup, and Women鈥檚 Cup.
鈥淐anada cemented its status as a global dragon boat powerhouse at this year鈥檚 World Championships by besting teams from Thailand, China, USA, and more,鈥� said Tom Arnold, head coach of Team Canada鈥檚 Senior B team and president of VI Paddling. 鈥淎 result like this requires years of dedication and training by the athletes, but I know none of them will ever forget those few moments standing at the top of the podium singing along to 鈥極 Canada鈥� with a gold medal around their necks.鈥�
A well-recognized force on the world stage, Canada secured an astonishing 52 gold, 36 silver, and 13 bronze medals at the event with 351 races, ranging from 200m sprints to 2km distance races.
Results for the local contingent were as follows:
Rupert Wong - Senior B 50+ age group
Mixed small boat (10 paddlers) (4 golds). 2000, 1000. 500 & 200 meter
Men standard boat (20 paddlers) (3 silver + 1 bronze). 200, 500, 1000 & 2000 respectively
Dan Walden - Senior C 60+ age group
Mixed standard boat - 4 golds in 2000, 1000, 500 & 200
Men standard boat - 3 golds in 1000, 500 & 200
Jane Hay - Senior C+ age group
Mixed standard boat - 4 golds in 2000, 1000, 500 & 200
Women standard boat - 4 golds in 2000, 1000, 500 & 200
鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy to make it to the top of any sport when you come from a smaller community,鈥� said Arnold. 鈥淏ut thanks to talented coaches at local clubs like VI Paddling, a steadily growing number of local paddlers are finding success on the world stage.鈥�
VI Paddling was created in 2012 as a not-for-profit with the goal of providing Vancouver Islanders a place to be supported, inspired, and developed as athletes, and as members of the sporting community. They welcome people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities, and are proud to offer the most experienced coaches on Vancouver Island who work with individuals and teams to become the best they can be.
Paddlers train year-round at the club鈥檚 Victoria and Comox locations. Learn more about VI Paddling, its teams, and who鈥檚 recruiting at
