Hundreds of paddlers from up and down the West Coast competed in Southwest Washington’s only dragon boat festival, Paddle for Life dragon boat races, on Saturday, Aug. 5 at Lake River Ridgefield Kayak Launch. Proceeds raised during the event supported Clark County’s only dragon boat team, Catch-22, to build and maintain a breast cancer survivor’s paddling community in Clark County, “a much needed resource and support because one in eight American women will get breast cancer in their lifetimes,” according to a release. The ancient Chinese sport of dragon boat racing has become a popular movement for breast-cancer survivors, allowing them to “feel empowered, build self-confidence and take back control of their lives thanks to the healing power of water, exercise, community and the unique camaraderie of connecting and competing with other survivors,” the release said. Hundreds of attendees’ cheered on the teams as they paddled in unison to propel the boats down a 250-meter course to the finish line. For more information, go to paddleforlife.org/ or vancouverlake rowingclub.com/catch-22-dragon-boating.
