Canada's first dragon boat festival of 2024 is happening in Vancouver this weekend
There will be a DJ, food trucks, a beer garden and more!
Dragon boat racers taking part in the Inlet Spring Regatta.
Dragon boat racers from around B.C. and the U.S. will be taking part in Canada's first dragon boat festival of 2024 in Vancouver this weekend.
The fifth annual Inlet Spring Regatta is happening in Port Moody, which is part of Metro Vancouver, on Saturday.
The event marks the beginning of the Canadian Dragon Boat Season and organizers say the 2024 festival will be bigger than ever with registration reaching full capacity.
"We're proud to announce that we have 44 teams geared up and ready to race!" Robbin Whachell, President of the Nothin' Dragon Paddling Society said in a press release.
"Additionally, this year marks a special milestone as we welcome teams from the USA for the first time."
The 44 teams competing are from all over B.C., including Chilliwack, Cultus Lake, Fort Langley, Harrison Hot Springs, Ladner, Langley, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Coquitlam, Vancouver and Victoria. There will also be a team from Seattle.
The regatta features 200-metre sprints with each race taking about one minute to complete.
"Teams will compete in either a mixed or women's division, and the top three teams will receive a coveted woodal (wooden carved medal) featuring the kingfisher, a bird of the Inlet carved by First Nation artist, Glen Rabena," the press release reads.
Each BUK boat will have 20 paddlers on it, along with one drummer and a standing steersperson at the stern.
Each team will be guaranteed four races at the festival.
The free event is happening at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody from 7:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on. April 20.
Along with the races, the Inlet Spring Regatta will feature live music, face-painting, food trucks, vendors, a DJ, and a beer garden.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.