P.E.I.'s Filipino community to host dragon boat festival in Charlottetown this summer
Teams now being recruited to paddle in August festival at Charlottetown's Victoria Park
The Filipino community in P.E.I. is bringing a piece of its heritage to Charlottetown this summer by organizing the province's first known dragon boat racing festival.
Dragon boat racing got its start in southern China about 2,000 years ago. One of the event's organizers, Vladimir Iscala, said it is also a major part of Filipino culture, and he's noticed its growing popularity across Canada in recent years.
Last year, he had the chance to join a dragon boat festival in Moncton.
"Everyone was having a blast there. We thought, 'Why not bring that event here in Charlottetown as well, as a way for the Filipino community to give back?' And, of course, to support a charitable institution," Iscala told CBC's Island Morning.
The festival is set for Aug. 9 at Victoria Park, with part of the proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of P.E.I.
Organizers are now calling on teams across the Island to sign up. Iscala said they're aiming to have at least 20 teams participate in the 200-metre competition. Those interested can find details and register through the festival's website.
How it works
Each team can have up to 20 members of any gender. Sixteen people will paddle during the race, while the other members will serve as substitutes in case replacements are needed.
Organizers will provide each team with a person to steer the boat, to make sure that is done by someone highly experienced in handling the bulky watercraft.
One member of each team will take on the role of drummer, sitting in the boat's prow to signal the paddlers when to dip into the water.
"Whenever the drummer beats the drum, that's a signal for the rowers to paddle. So the faster the drum beats, the paddlers have to, you know, sync with that tune to paddle faster as well," Iscala said.
Success in dragon boat racing relies a lot on working together, he said.
"Dragon boat signifies a strong symbol of teamwork. So everyone has to be in unison in terms of paddling together to achieve their goal to finish the race," he said.
The organizers will supply each team with a boat and all the necessary equipment, which will be trucked to Charlottetown by the Montreal-based company 22Dragons.
A licensed and certified coach will provide each team with one hour of training before the event.
The registration fee is $1,850 per team, to help cover event expenses and contribute to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Iscala hopes that if the event continues next year, organizers will be able to lower the fee to make it more affordable.
With files from Island Morning