Ladysmith Dragon Boat team paddles to first place

It was a golden day for Ladysmith paddlers at the Sproat Lake Dragon Boat Regatta on June 8, where two local teams made waves and brought home first-place finishes.

Sync or Swim, the women’s race crew from the Ladysmith Dragon Boat Society, placed first overall in the women’s division, finishing with the fastest combined time of the day across three heats.

“After a tough break in Victoria, Sync or Swim showed up on Sunday with something to prove, and wow, did we ever!” the team posted on Facebook. “Racing across the beautiful waters of Sproat Lake in Port Alberni, hosted by the wonderful folks at WCDBS, we didn’t just race…we brought the fire.”

Sync or Swim placed first in all three heats with times of 1:26.27, 1:28.50 and 1:27.62, for a total combined time of 4:22.39.

“Fueled by heart, grit, and undeniable teamwork, we left it all out on the water and walked away proud, grateful, and still buzzing with adrenaline,” the team added.

They weren’t the only Ladysmith crew to shine. Also celebrating on the water that day were the Sea Dragons, a second team from Ladysmith.

The Sea Dragons, a self-described “fun-petitive” team who race about twice a year, took first place in the women’s Silver Division.

The regatta featured a total of 16 women’s teams.

Both crews paddle under the banner of the Ladysmith Dragon Boat Society, a volunteer-driven organization that brings together passionate paddlers with a love for the water. The society is home to three distinct teams — Sync or Swim, Sea Dragons and 49th Dragons — each offering a unique blend of camaraderie, challenge and fun.

Interested in giving dragon boating a try?

The Ladysmith Dragon Boat Society is hosting a casual information session on Monday, June 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fox and Hounds Pub in Ladysmith. There you can meet members of the team, ask questions and find out if dragon boating might be for you.

An Intro to Dragon Boating course for beginners kicks off Saturday, July 5 at Oyster Bay Marina. The six-week program runs from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays, with a registration fee of $60.

The course offers a chance to get a feel for the sport, learn basic paddling techniques and experience the fun, fitness and camaraderie of dragon boating. 

For more information or to register, contact Janine Smith at ijapsmith@shaw.ca or call 250-858-7622.