National

Thousands of racers take to the water as part of Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Jun, 2024 10:22 AM

Racers took to the water for what organizers say is North America’s largest dragon boat festival in Vancouver.

More than 6,000 racers and 250 entries from across North America and Australia are expected to compete in the two-day event racing a special fleet of 12-metre, 250-kilogram boats for a variety of distances.

Today marks the beginning of one of my favourite Vancouver-False Creek traditions, the @Concord_Pacific #DragonBoatFestival! Thank you, @dragonboatbc, for inviting me to participate in the eye-dotting blessing ceremony to kick off the festival in a good way. pic.twitter.com/u9eGgbUMhy
— Brenda Bailey (@BrendaBaileyBC) June 17, 2023

The competition went ahead even after sewage leaked from a broken pipe earlier in the week into False Creek where the races are held.

Organizers set up hand-wash stations and mobile showers for racers to use.

They previously said that, after consulting with city and health officials, the leak would not have a significant impact on the race.

About 125,000 visitors are expected to attend the weekend festival, which also includes Vancouver’s first ever public drone show.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

BoC holds key rate at 5%

Governor Tiff Macklem says economic data since January has improved the central bank’s confidence that inflation will continue to slow, even as economic growth picks up. The governor says while the Bank of Canada is seeing the evidence it needs to begin lowering interest rates, it needs to see price pressures ease for longer to make sure the decline in inflation is sustained.

BoC holds key rate at 5%

B.C. announces one-time $430 rent relief benefit to low-income seniors

The British Columbia government is granting a one-time $430 benefit to the roughly 20,000 seniors in its support program for elderly low-income renters. B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says eligible seniors don't need to apply for the payment, which will be sent out this month.

B.C. announces one-time $430 rent relief benefit to low-income seniors

Two blows to B.C.'s credit status, as S&P cuts rating and Moody's turns negative

British Columbia's credit status took a double blow on Tuesday, with S&P downgrading the province due to the risk of "outsize" deficits, and Moody's turning its outlook negative. S&P Global Ratings blamed big government spending as it dropped its credit rating for the province and BC Hydro's provincially guaranteed unsecured debt from AA status to AA-minus.

Two blows to B.C.'s credit status, as S&P cuts rating and Moody's turns negative

B.C. makes it easier to salvage timber damaged by wildfires

The B.C. government says it's making it easier for forestry companies to salvage timber damaged by wildfires. Sustainable Forestry Innovation Minister Andrew Mercier says in a statement that changes to the price of fees for harvesting timber on Crown land make salvage "more economic," and will speed up forest regeneration.

B.C. makes it easier to salvage timber damaged by wildfires

B.C. moves alone on Surrey Police Service after mayor, council refuse to leave RCMP

British Columbia is moving ahead with the transition to an independent police service in Surrey after the mayor and council refused to part ways with the RCMP. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says a plan is in place for the continued transition to the independent Surrey Police Service, and he'll release more details next week on how that will work.

B.C. moves alone on Surrey Police Service after mayor, council refuse to leave RCMP

B.C.'s government buys land for transit-oriented housing development

British Columbia's government is spearheading a new public development project on Vancouver Island aimed at bringing more affordable homes closer to transit access Premier David Eby says the province has purchased two parcels of land for the Uptown development in Saanich, B.C., through the $394-million property acquisition fund operated by the Transportation Ministry.