From Northumberland News
Event brings Northumberland together
Dragon Race challenge a huge success
Oct 01, 2009
By Jason Chamberlain
NORTHUMBERLAND -- Dragons filled the waters in Cobourg last weekend.
The tenth annual Cameco Challenge the Dragon boat race for the Northumberland United Way attracted 760 paddlers to the Cobourg Marina on Saturday, Sept. 26. Teams from across Northumberland, including a team sent by the Brighton Dragon Club, clashed with paddlers from as far as Ottawa in divisions for both recreational and competitive races.
The day’s weather made things a tad difficult for the racers and the event organizers. High winds buffeted the Cobourg water front throughout the morning, causing delays and ultimately necessitating the cancellation of each team’s customary third race. Instead, each team raced only twice, and the annual Community Spirit Race, featuring handicapped paddlers, had to be cancelled due to safety concerns.
The wind creates difficulty in keeping the boats on course. It’s a challenge,” said Helen Walsh of the Northumberland United Way, who credited volunteers, many of whom were from the Cobourg Dragon Boat Club, with keeping the event going.
“They dug in and did the best they could,” she said. “They were amazing. They really worked hard and didn’t get any breaks.”
In the crew (competitive) division, Son Powered Paddlers won first, edging out Fleet of Foote from Oshawa as well as the Belleville Paddling Club.
COBOURG -- Rough water and strong winds weren’t enough to stop the tenth annual Cameco Challenge the Dragon boat races at the Cobourg Marina on Saturday, Sept. 26. Teams like the Shelter Valley Folk Festival (pictured) competed hard in recreational and competitive divisions while raising money for the Northumberland United Way.
In the recreational division, the YMCA Northumberland Y Water Wings took home the United Way Dragon Trophy. Second place went to Team Resurgence and third to Pine Ridge Vet’s Dog Paddlers.
The Northumberland United Way’s own ‘Where’s Waldo’ team won their third consecutive best dressed title, just edging out the Northumberland Hills Hospital Surgical Strokers who came dressed as Snow White and 18 dwarves.
Bev Anderson, president of the Brighton Dragon Boat Club and a team member of the Brighton Bombers, was thrilled that her club was able to take part in the event.
“It was our last event, and a great way to end the year,” she said. “We ended on a high note, so we’re really pleased.”
The official fund raising tally isn’t complete, but Ms. Walsh estimates total pledges will hit the $40,000 mark before all is said and done. The Community Spirit racers, though they weren’t able to participate, still raised $25 in pledges. The top pledging team was Team Resurgence with $4,787, and Scott Jenkins of that team was the top individual pledger. In second was his teammate Anne Downing and third was Karen Chalovich of Where’s Waldo.
Despite the weather troubles, which ebbed at mid day only to pick up once more in the late afternoon, Ms. Walsh considered the event an unbridled success, and, as always, is looking forward to next year’s event.
“We give our heartfelt thanks to everybody who came out and made it great. It’s the community working together for the community,” she said.
“It’s a win win day.”
