Help Van Island dragon boat athletes Go For Gold at the CCWC

At the Canadian National Championships in 2023, seven Vancouver Island dragon boat teams won the right to represent Canada at the 2024 Club Crew World Championships this September in Ravenna, Italy. Unfortunately, there is no national or provincial sport funding for dragon boating in Canada. This means each athlete is responsible for all the costs incurred for training, equipment, registration fees, travel, etc. – costs which can average $5,000-$10,000 per year and make it impossible for some to realize their dream of representing Vancouver Island on the world stage.

Your donation can make the difference! Gifts made through GoFundMe will help cover competition fees, paddle transport costs, transportation costs within Italy, and other team-wide expenses that will make it possible for all seven teams to compete at this prestigious event, and for the very best athletes to represent our country regardless of their financial circumstances.

Thank you for your support!

The teams:

• Gorging Dragons Premier women (athletes 18+)

• Gorging Dragons Senior B open, women, and mixed (athletes aged 50+)

• Gorging Dragons Para 1 and Para 2 (athletes of all ages who compete with various mental and physical challenges)

• Flat Out (breast cancer survivor team)

About VI Paddling:

VI Paddling is a non-profit dragon boat club that supports paddle sport athletes all across Vancouver Island. The club currently operates from docks on Victoria’s Gorge Waterway, on Comox Lake in Cumberland, and at Comox Marina, with athletes ranging from 12 to 85, and teams from beginner to our Gorging Dragons and Flat Out high-performance programs.