The 2019 Save-On-Foods Dragon Boat Festival here in Nanaimo featured fast-paced paddling from over 60 teams at Maffeo Sutton Park from July 5-7. For the first time Guts and Glory races were on the itinerary. 8 teams racing around a 1,500-metre long course with 5 turns. Guts and Glory is a challenging race that needs a really good steersperson who knows how to manoeuvre 850 pound boats around the buoys.

The first Guts and Glory champions are the Nanaimo Paddling Centre’s Nusa’Lon Dragons Women! They won the women’s race in a time of nine minutes, 51.66 seconds. The FCRCC Saggin’ Dragons were second and the Snapping Dragons came third. 

And there’s more: Nusa’Lon Dragons Women won Silver in the Platinum A division. The Nusa’Lon Dragons Mixed team won Silver in the Diamond A division.

Overall a very successful weekend of racing for Nusa’Lon Dragons!

Check out the coverage from our local newspaper here.

Check out the final results here.

If you are interested in paddling with the Nusa’Lon Dragons visit our Teams page for more info. We have both Womens and Mixed teams.

We train all year round and racing season runs from March through September. Both Women’s and Mixed teams compete in dragon boat festivals all across the Island. (Warning: Racing is addicting!)

Calling All Corporate Teams! If you would like to join the festivities and compete in Nanaimo’s Dragon Boat Festival, check out our Build Your Corporate Team page to get started!

Our Head Coach, Holly Wylie, offers various courses and clinics including dryland training, skills & stroke development, fitness routines and more during the off season. Check out our Upcoming Courses & Clinics page for future sessions.

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