RETURN TO OUR MEDIA CENTRE HERE

ARCHIVED NEWS RELEASE

Cancellation of the 2020 Oddball 2,000 Challenge and Dragon Zone Youth Regatta

VANCOUVER, BC – May 15, 2020 – 12:30 PM – Dragon Boat BC announces today that the Oddball 2,000 Challenge and Dragon Zone Youth Regatta is cancelled for 2020.

“At the beginning of 2020, we were excited for our most exciting and largest racing season yet. Among them, we were excited to add the Oddball 2,000 Challenge among our roster of events. Many teams were also excited for this new event,” says Alexis Gall, General Manager, Dragon Boat BC. “However, in light of continuing developments around COVID-19, we have made the decision to cancel both events for 2020.”

The Oddball 2,000 Challenge is a new regatta providing teams of all competitive levels the opportunity to race in both 1,000 M and 2,000 M races. The Dragon Zone Youth Regatta is the only youth-focused dragon boat regatta in the region.

At this time, the two races have 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.

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. Oddball Workshop continues to help keep everyone safe, support local workers, and donate to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank through their manufacturing and sale of fabric reusable masks, available online at paddlevancouver.ca.

Dragon Boat BC 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.

-30-