CORNWALL, Ontario – Rowers filed in to dragon boats and launched into the Cornwall Canal on Saturday, Aug. 10 to experience racing at the 10th Cornwall Waterfest Dragon Boat Festival.
With 19 teams, races featured competitors of a variety of different skill levels throughout the day according to Lea Emard, the event’s Chairperson.
“Every year we have so many people with different experience levels, it makes for an interesting competition,” said Emard.
Of the 19 teams, 13 of them were local while 6 had come from Ottawa. This year also has 4 entries in the women’s division, ultimately showing growth in that division in the festival.
“We have also had a lot of support from teams from Ottawa and the festival that they run up there has been great to us,” said Emard.
Teams also raised money to benefit Hospice Cornwall, according to Sandy Collette. Around $3,000 was raised last year from the festival.
“This coming year we’re looking at purchasing a van and money raised from this would certainly help towards that”, said Collette.
A van would be used to transport palliative patients in situations transportation is otherwise unavailable according to Collette.
