No Draggin’ with these Dragon Boaters
By Celia Dyer
Looking for fitness, fun and friends? The GT Dragon Boat Society in Blind Bay has it all!
Dragon boating combines an excellent physical workout with the camaraderie of teamwork and best of all, the setting for this exhilarating sport is the incomparable Shuswap Lake.
Since 2011, the GT Dragon Boat Society has been providing this unique paddling opportunity in Blind Bay. The original members were able to purchase a used boat with major support from the Blind Bay Village Grocer and thus began the tradition of dragon boating in the South Shuswap. The club has since acquired two additional boats.
GT Dragon Boat paddlers during a practice in Blind Bay (photo credit: Celia Dyer)
GT Dragon Boat paddlers during a practice in Blind Bay (photo credit: Celia Dyer)
The group has launched their 2026 season and is happy to welcome new members. They paddle twice a week; on Monday evenings and Thursday mornings. The morning paddle is something new this year. Blair Goold, President of the Society, says this allows for calmer water and cooler temperatures. It’s the perfect way for newcomers to try the sport and even better, the club offers a free trial!
The club takes exceptional care of its paddlers. Drills, stretching and training are all a part of the experience and strict safety protocols are followed. Paddles and lifejackets are provided if needed. Trained coaches accompany every outing, ensuring safety and an enriching learning experience.
The GT Dragon Boat Society also has a kayak and canoe program. This group explores local lakes and rivers twice a month. Paddling and safety instructions are provided by the organization and participants provide their own boat and transportation.
GT Dragon Boat paddlers during a practice in Blind Bay (photo credit: Celia Dyer)
Dragon boating in Blind Bay is truly a community endeavour. The Society is very grateful for the support of its sponsors. The boats spend the offseason under cover and cozy at AquaTech Marine; in summer they are moored and ready for action at Bayside Marina. It’s worth the price of a burger at Bayside to watch the boats set off on their Monday evening paddle. Blind Bay Memorial Hall provides a meeting place and storage; other contributors are Backroad Gravel, Blind Bay Village Grocer, CSRD, Jeanne’s Printing, Launch Construction and Munro’s Pharmacy.
In turn, the dragon boaters have helped out at community events such as garbage collection at the Roots and Blues and participating in festivals and competitions.
Blind Bay paddler Eileen Foster will travel with over 30 local dragon boaters to France in August to take part in the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission Festival. This is a gathering of 4,000 paddlers from all over the world. There are races, celebrations, and learning opportunities. “The Festival is such a joyous time. We don’t care if we win, we care about being together and celebrating the victory of surviving and supporting one another,” says Eileen.
The connection between dragon boating and breast cancer survivors was forged in Canada in the 90’s when Vancouver doctor, Don McKenzie, proposed that strength-building exercise was safe for breast cancer survivors. Previously, it was believed that strenuous upper body exercise was harmful. He formed the first-ever breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, Abreast in a Boat. After months of strenuous paddling, none of the participants had lymphoedema, a debilitating side effect of treatment. Not only that, survivors found they were fitter, healthier and happier. What started as a 24 member team in Canada flourished into an international phenomenon. Today there are approximately 16,000 paddlers and over 400 teams globally.
Dragon boating is a great sport for everyone. GT Dragon Boat President Blair Goold says: “I know I have to be active and this is a great way to encourage fitness and good health.” Vice President KC Affleck adds: “For me it’s the love of the water, being in nature and the sense of community. I really enjoy the togetherness of my fellow paddlers.”
Interested in giving dragon boating a try or looking for a group to kayak or canoe with? Visit gtdragonboatsociety.ca or phone President Blair Goold at (604) 835 1883.
