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May 15, 2020

Summary of Dragon Boat BC Announcements for Friday May 15, 2020

VANCOUVER, BC – 12:30 PM – Dragon Boat BC announces the following updates for its programs, events, and operations as a result of COVID-19. Please click on the following links to see full details of each statement.

• Cancellation of 2020 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival: Originally scheduled for June and tentatively postponed to September, the Festival is now cancelled this year.
• Cancellation of the 10th anniversary of the Steveston Dragon Boat Festival: Previously scheduled for August, the Festival is now cancelled this year.
• Cancellation of 2020 Vessi 500 Championship: Previously scheduled for June and tentatively postponed, the Championship is now cancelled this year.
• Cancellation of 2020 Oddball 2,000 Championship and Dragon Zone Youth Regatta: Previously scheduled for May and tentatively postponed, the regattas are now cancelled this year.
• Dragon Zone Paddling Club program and membership adjustments: May 2020 Update: Individual boat use passes to be extended to cover closure period (11 weeks), team boat use passes to be extended to cover closure period (length TBA), all previously scheduled Intro to Dragon Boat programs and steering clinics cancelled for this year.
• Dragon Zone Paddling Club Stage 1 reopening tentatively scheduled for June 1: New measures including masks, enhanced sanitation, modified hours of operation, and mandatory reservations to be put in effect, only individual boat use allowed at this time; team boat use not allowed.

At this time, Dragon Boat BC’s offices are expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future and until Creekside Community Centre fully reopens. Please continue to request assistance through our email at info@dragonboatbc.ca. 

The Board of Directors and staff of Dragon Boat BC recognizes and thanks the first responders and essential workers who have served the community and helped protect our community against the brunt of COVID-19. We also note the importance of continuing the fight against COVID-19 as British Columbia begins to reopen. 

Dragon Boat BC is pleased to have been able to assist front-line non-profit organizations protecting the most vulnerable members of our community in the Downtown Eastside with donations of supplies originally intended for its volunteers. We continue to work behind the scenes with our partners to help contribute vital resources and materials to communities across North America, but especially in our home province of British Columbia.

For links to information on mitigating the risk of spreading COVID-19, emergency government funding measures, and ways to contribute to the fight against COVID-19, please visit dragonboatbc.ca/covid19. 

About the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society

Community, culture and competition, all in one boat. The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society (dba Dragon Boat BC) is the non-profit operator of North America’s flagship dragon boat festival – the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, and runs Dragon Zone Paddling Club – Canada’s largest paddling club. Through their All Access and youth programs, supported by the Milton K. Wong Legacy Project, the Society makes sport accessible regardless of barriers to participation.

Media Contact
Dragon Boat BC Main Office
Email: info@dragonboatbc.ca
Please note that the office remains closed, and is only able to take questions via email.

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