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Cancellation of the 2020 Vessi 500 Championship

VANCOUVER, BC – May 15, 2020 – 12:30 PM – Dragon Boat BC announces today that the Vessi 500 Championship is cancelled for 2020.

“While it is deeply disappointing to have to cancel British Columbia’s second largest dragon boat race, we have been guided throughout this process to ensure the community’s wellbeing,” says Alexis Gall, General Manager, Dragon Boat BC. “This cancellation represents a setback for the event, but we are also optimistic for the future as we continue working with Vessi Footwear to return with, and grow the event in 2021 and beyond.”

“During these times, it’s critical that we support our community and partners including Dragon Boat BC,” explains Tony Yu, Co-Founder, Vessi Footwear. “As part of our community support during COVID-19, we also are working to distribute 400,000 surgical masks to hospitals and communities, including 80,000 in Vancouver.” 

“We also are inviting our local community to #makewaves through our Vessi Community Fund which will award 10 microgrants of $100 every day,” continues Yu. Applications to the Vessi Community Fund are being accepted at vessifootwear.ca/makewaves.

At this time, the Championship has implemented the same refund and transfer policy as all other Dragon Boat BC races. Registered teams may request a full transfer of their registration fees from 2020 to a future year until the end of 2020, or may request a refund of 75% of their registration fee until June 1, 2020. Like many other event organizers, the event incurs significant costs in the months leading up to the Festival. Instructions on next steps will be emailed out to team captains, managers, and administrators. A FAQ to assist racers is linked here.

The Championship 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. Vessi Footwear has also donated 2,000 pairs of their patented waterproof sneakers to medical professionals to support them as they fight COVID-19.

The Championship notes the importance of continuing the fight against COVID-19 as British Columbia begins to reopen. 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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