By Sarah Klein
The boats have been lowered into the water, and now paddlers will sprint down the Red River beginning this evening for the Canadian Cancer Society Dragon Boat Festival.
Nearly 1,000 paddlers from across Manitoba will paddle after leaving from the Winnipeg Rowing Club.
Cancer survivors, their friends and family, and others affected by the disease will team build in the two-day event to raise the badly-needed funds to fight cancer. Several teams are made up almost exclusively of cancer survivors.
“This is a weekend devoted to fun, team building and fighting cancer,” Cancer Society spokesperson Jackie Chomichuk said. “It’s going to be a great weekend to be on the Red.”
The festival will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a series of sprints, including a 250-metre dash. The 500-metre races will begin on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day.
Entertainment and activities are part of the fun and open to the public.
