As many as 600 participants are expected on Vancouver Lake on Saturday and Sunday for the third Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Festival.
A fundraising event to assist area disabled veterans, the races are scheduled to run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. The event is free for spectators, who can watch the racing from Vancouver Lake Park.
Teams — even those with no experience — can register through Thursday for the Paddle for Life event. Teams will receive two practices and at least three races over the weekend.
Teams can range in size from 10 to 25 members. Companies, community groups and families are welcome to participate, according to Jeff Campbell, owner of Double Fifth Dragon Boating in Vancouver.
The proceeds from the event will go to support the disabled veterans water sports program at Vancouver Lake. The Vancouver Lake Aquatic Club program helps local disabled veterans access water sports. In two years this event has raised more than $15,000 to help purchase adaptive equipment and provide access to docks and boats to veterans with any disability.
For more information on forming teams or for information on on how to support the Paddle for Life non-profit, visit www.paddleforlife.org or contact Campbell at 971-222-3679 or send email to info@paddleforlife.org.
Wrestler wins regionals in Greco-Roman, freestyle
Dallas Goodpaster of Vancouver won a pair of regional USA Wrestling Junior titles in Las Vegas earlier this month.
Wrestling at 220 pounds, Goodpaster won both the Greco-Roman and the freestyle tournaments during the USA Wrestling Western Junior Regional held in Las Vegas.
He won the Greco-Roman title by technical fall (10-0). He won the freestyle title with a pin 20 seconds into the first round.
A junior at Evergreen High School, Goodpaster competes in club wrestling for Peninsula Wrestling Club of Portland.
COMMUNITY SPORTS NEWS is published each Tuesday. Submit items be email to paul.danzer@columbian.com or call 360-735-4521.
