Dragon boats make splash in Kal Lake

VERNON – Kal Beach in Vernon will host 22 teams competing in the annual Prospera Vernon Dragon Boat Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It's a competitive event on the dragon boat circuit with teams from around the province taking part. Along with the competitive racers there is also a recreation division.

The Prospera Piranhas are ready to dip their paddles into Kal Lake this year.

Not only are they team building and getting a good work out, the paddlers are raising money for Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

"The team of Prospera employees, family and friends have collected about $2,500 for the hospital," Vernon branch manager Darrell Oshiro says.

Last year the entire event raised about $8,000. This year they're hoping for $10,000. The money will go to the hospital's critical breast cancer diagnostic equipment.

"I am inviting the whole community to come down and cheer on the paddlers," Oshiro says.

There will be food vendors and other booths set up at Kal Beach for the day.

The event is organized by the Go Rowing and Paddle Association of Canada. They are providing millennium dragon boats for the festival. They also supply all the time keeping equipment and record keeping.

To contact the reporter for this story email halexander@infotelnews.ca, or call 250-309-5230.