Harrison – The Harrison Dragon Boat Festival returned to Harrison Lake Saturday July 26, with teams from across the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Sunshine Coast, and Washington State set to hit the start line at 9:30 AM on Saturday. All Festival races are free for the public to watch.
Review, Video and Photos from Randie Scott: The Dragon Boat Races appeared to be very well organized for dozens of teams and hundreds of happy paddlers. The race heats were with 6 boats (20 paddlers plus 1 steering and 1 marking cadence). Controlled, planned movements were the order of the day with great attention paid to safety. Marshalling of teams and boats was done like clockwork with every team having a group organizational and safety briefing.
The Harrison Search & Rescue Team and boat closely monitored movement on the water with a couple of other smaller boats nearby at all times with operators and spotters.
There were dozens of team gazebos and plenty of vendors.
Racing involved a wide range of people, different ages and physical conditions- all seeming to have great fun while being quite serious about competing too. Most had great colourful team clothing and their own personal paddles. Each team gathered for warm-up calisthenics and pre-race stretching to music too.
Parking was pricey at $20 for 12 hours- with hundreds of cars it must prove lucrative.
Good family time with many beach tents, camp chairs, blankets, etc.
All the businesses along to and adjacent to the esplanade appeared to be doing a roaring business.
The weather was splendid and the water was calm with a gentle breeze for the morning. I know from experience that Harrison can see the wind pick up and the water get choppy as the afternoon progresses.
I looked way in the distance and was reminded the lake is 60 km long and about 220 sq.km. I thought of when I worked/lived at Port Douglas in the early 70s and how many trips I made by boat or plane. I know the water temp ranges from about 17c and 25c. Beautiful area.
More info? https://tourismharrison.com/events/harrison-dragon-boat-festival-2/
With 10 more teams from last year racing at the event, representing almost 2,000 racers, this year’s Festival registration figures now match the event’s peak registration figures from pre-COVID. With the support of sponsors like Oddball Workshop, Real Canadian Superstore, the Province of BC, and the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, the event is ready for an exciting day of racing along the beach at Harrison Lake.
The Festival is expected to support local economic impact through welcoming visitors to experience Harrison through its range of accommodation providers and small businesses. The Harrison Dragon Boat Festival dates back to 2004, and has been delivered in partnership between Fraser Valley Paddling Club and Dragon Boat BC since 2023. The event is the only dragon boat event serving the Fraser Valley.
Key Event Info:
Social Media: Facebook- Harrison Dragon Boat Festival, Instagram- @dragonboatbc
What: Harrison Dragon Boat Festival
When: Saturday July 26, 9:30 AM-4:00 PM
Where: Harrison Lake, on the water and beach near Hot Springs Road and Esplanade Avenue
Media Contact: Email Dragon Boat BC Media Team (info@dragonboatbc.ca)
Website: harrisondragonboat.com
