On Saturday, Aug. 5, Ridgefield will host the “Paddle For Life” Dragon Boat race on Lake River.
Hundreds of dragon boat racers from teams up and down the West Coast will travel to Ridgefield to compete in this fast-growing international sport that celebrates community, cultures, camaraderie and competition.
Paddle For Life’s proceeds raised during this year’s dragon boat races will support Clark County’s only dragon boat team, Catch-22, to build and maintain a breast cancer survivor’s paddling community in Clark County, a much needed resource and support because one in eight American women will get breast cancer in their lifetimes.
Participation in the ancient Chinese sport of dragon boat racing has become an international movement for breast cancer survivors, positively benefiting the health and wellbeing of tens of thousands of survivors worldwide.
“The fun and rigorous sport helps those who have experienced breast cancer feel empowered, build self-confidence, and take back control of their lives thanks to the healing power of water, exercise, community and the unique camaraderie of connecting and competing with other survivors,” a release for the Paddle For Life dragon boat festival stated.
Attendees are invited to cheer on the teams as they paddle in unison to propel the boats forward down a 250-meter course.
“At this level, dragon boating becomes a sport of inches and tenths of seconds at the finish line,” the release states.
The event will be free and family friendly in Ridgefield on Saturday, Aug. 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will occur at the Lake River Ridgefield Kayak Launch at 109 West Division Street in Ridgefield. For more information, visit paddleforlife.org.
