Cheers filled the air as people watched teams of paddlers race across Vancouver Lake in brightly colored dragon boats on Saturday. Cloudy skies were no deterrent.
“I don’t care if it’s raining or there’s thunder. I’m going to be out there,” said Karla Tovar, who spent the day paddling with the Golden Dragons.
Although she belongs to a different club, she said she wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to be on the water or to contribute to a good cause.
Hundreds gathered at the park Saturday for the third Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Festival, a fundraising event that benefits local disabled veterans. The two-day event had already raised more than $13,000 in its first day, surpassing amounts raised in previous years.
Jeff Campbell, Paddle for Life’s race organizer, said there were about 32 teams participating Saturday, and he expected about the same number today. Campbell, who’s been a paddler for about 20 years, said he enjoys watching the community teams at the event.
“The thing that keeps me going are these new teams. When they come off the water, they’re so excited. It reminds me of when I started. It keeps me going,” he said.
Rick McLaughlin, a coach for the Golden Dragons, said he likes that dragon boat racing fosters teamwork and camaraderie, which particularly benefits veterans.
“It gets them involved in the community. It gives them something to look forward to,” he said.
The races run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. The event is free for spectators, who can watch from Vancouver Lake Park.
