Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Autumn Escape
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Autumn Escape
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Dragon boating on ice? It’s coming to Central Alberta this February!

An Ice Dragon Boat racing event in Ottawa. Photo submitted

Dragon boating on ice? It’s coming to Central Alberta this February!

December 27, 2022 //  by Mark Weber

Share this:

When you think about dragon boat racing, it will likely include summer days and teams digging deep with their paddles into warm waters.

A new event for Western Canada is turning that whole scenario on its head. Yes, dragon boating is for winter, too!

Ice Dragon Boat Racing is coming Feb. 10 and 11 to Sylvan Lake, in Central Alberta. Held in only three other Canadian communities, this will be the first time the event will be held in western Canada, said Monique Pummings, the town’s director of recreation, culture, tourism and economic development.

The town is working with the Montreal-based Mission Dragon Boat to plan the event.

“We are super excited to be bringing it to Alberta,” Pummings says.

READ MORE: Peggy’s Cove meets Central Alberta: Lighthouse stands tall on the shores of Sylvan Lake

Each team will consist of eight to 10 ‘paddlers’ plus a steer person and a drummer, with racing along a 100-metre track.

On the 10th, teams will have an opportunity to book a practice time, and then the actual races are slated to run Feb. 11.

“Each team will have an opportunity to participate in two races,” she says, adding that there’ll be trophies and medals for the various categories, too.

“This event is really open to anybody who wants to participate – it doesn’t have to be a Dragon Boat team; it can be a business or company that would like to do some team-building activities, or just a bunch of friends who would like to have a good time,” she says.

The event is open to anyone over the age of 13, with parental consent required for those under 18.

READ MORE: ‘Ultimate Alberta Bucket List’ features adventures across the province

“There is truly a place for everybody. There will also be prizes for things like the best-dressed team or best team spirit – those types of things, too, to make it even more fun and engaging,” Pummings says.

“We are working on getting a big tent to put up on the ice, and to just have a really good time with some bands and music – it will be lots of fun and really great for the community.

“Our ice slide should also be completed just a couple of days prior to the event, so that will be set up as well. It’s also happening a week before our Winterfest activities, so February will really be a super-fun month around here,” she says.

The event was originally planned for 2020, but was sidelined by the pandemic.

READ MORE: NatGeo puts Alberta tourist spots in top 25

Pummings had even visited Ottawa to check out their event. “It was absolutely fantastic – they do such a good job. And we thought that we just needed to do this in Sylvan Lake,” she says.

Ice Dragon Boat Races are also a tremendous opportunity to showcase Sylvan Lake in a whole new and unique way, she says.

“Anytime we have a chance to show off Sylvan Lake, we want to take those opportunities. We expect to see a lot of visitors coming into town for the races, and also visiting the restaurants, shops and hotels. That’s something that is really exciting for us, too.”

Organizers are on the lookout for sponsors to help make the event even bigger and better, plus volunteer help as well.

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Canada, Places to Visit in Alberta, Sports, Things to do

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!

Touted as the ‘Greatest Show on Earth,’ the 2023 Calgary Stampede celebration promises to be…

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!Read More

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summer

By Pam Kragen, The San Diego Union-Tribune And they’re off. Theme park season is officially…

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summerRead More

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island anglers no longer need to travel to the B.C. Mainland to fish for…

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver IslandRead More

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd year

The Chilliwack Mural Festival is going to be bigger, bolder and more beautiful than ever…

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd yearRead More

Victoria International Airport increases accessibility with autism resource kit

The Victoria International Airport is increasing accessibility with the launch of an autism resource kit.…

Victoria International Airport increases accessibility with autism resource kitRead More

Visiting Mount St. Helens is inspiring and alarming all at once

‘This is it.’ In March 1980, Washington’s Mount St. Helens rumbled awake. A series of…

Visiting Mount St. Helens is inspiring and alarming all at onceRead More

Guided June hikes explore old-growth forests in seven Kootenay communities

Wildsight, a non-profit working to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities, is offering guided walks…

Guided June hikes explore old-growth forests in seven Kootenay communitiesRead More

Parks Canada plans major rewrite of more than 200 historic site plaques

They’re affixed to old buildings where someone important used to live. Or they’re mounted on…

Parks Canada plans major rewrite of more than 200 historic site plaquesRead More

Victoria International Airport welcomes new airline with Friday Harbor route

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) has welcomed a new airline. Kenmore Air now provides the only…

Victoria International Airport welcomes new airline with Friday Harbor routeRead More

Previous Post: « Weather ruin your holiday plans? Here’s what to do if your flight was cancelled
Next Post: Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition brings the world to the Royal BC Museum »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!

June 7, 2023

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summer

June 7, 2023

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver Island

June 6, 2023

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd year

June 6, 2023

Recent Posts

5 fun ways to celebrate the 2023 Calgary Stampede!

June 7, 2023

Ticket to ride: Southern California theme parks roll out new attractions for summer

June 7, 2023

2 kokanee lake fisheries come to Vancouver Island

June 6, 2023

Chilliwack Mural Festival returns bigger, bolder in its 3rd year

June 6, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved