Despite the cold rain pouring over Victoria this weekend, nearly 450 paddlers braved the elements in support of a good cause.
Competing in the 13th Annual WetDashe Outrigger Canoe Races, athletes took part in friendly competition on Nov. 16 and 17 to raise money for men’s health.
Hosted by the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club, the event featured three relays (12 km, 24 km, and 48 km), making it the only event of its kind in the region.
Participants from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland showcased their teamwork and endurance as teams of 12, divided into two groups of six paddlers, rotated crews on the dock before each three-kilometre relay leg.
The race began at the paddling club and headed all the way to the Johnson Street Bridge and back, explained Erik Ages, founder and director of the race.
After completing the three-kilometre round trip, each paddler struck a small tin gong before heading out, as the next crew took over.
“It's kind of like an Indy 500 because after each lap they come in hot fast to a dock and… their crew swaps up with a fresh crew that does a three-kilometre [lap] again at high intensity,” said Ages.
Those competing in the longest distance spent from sunrise to sunset on the water.
“There's a 48-kilometre crew here from Vancouver that started this morning and they'll finish this afternoon so they just keep going,” Ages said.
The race organizer explained that the event started over a decade ago and was created to offer something unique while raising funds for men’s health.
“Paddle sports, like dragon boats for example, have traditionally focused on breast cancer survivors,” said Ages. “[But] we wanted an end-of-season outrigger race different than dragon boats.”
This year's competition raised $11,500 for the BC Cancer Foundation through the Make Every Second Count campaign.
“It’s a chance for paddlers to have fun and give back to the community,” said Ages.
To learn more about the event or to see this year’s results, visit fgpaddle.com/races/outrigger-canoe
