Ottawa, known for its political heat, is gearing up for a bone-chilling event that will leave you breathless with excitement. The BeaverTails Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival is back, and it’s about to get even cooler! Not only will it be the largest ice dragonboat race in the world, but it will also proudly host the 2nd IIDBF World Club Crew Ice Dragon Boat Championships on Feb. 9-10, 2024, as part of Ottawa’s 46th Annual Winterlude celebration.
Imagine 1,200 competitors from 100 teams across Canada and around the globe, all ready to brave the cold on the Rideau Canal Skateway at Dow’s Lake. This unique East-meets-West experience combines the rich Chinese roots of dragon boating with Canadian winter sport culture. The frozen surface of the World’s Largest Skating Rink and UNESCO World Heritage Site becomes the stage for this thrilling spectacle.
“Typically 60 per cent of the people who come and participate are from outside of the Nation’s Capital. We’ve had people from all over the world participate and so many great experiences from the inaugural edition, which was the first-ever ice dragonboat race in North America, to the 2nd IIDBF World Ice Dragon Boat Championships in 2020,” says Antony Cooper, the festival’s director of operations.
Curious about ice dragon boating? Well, picture this: In this one-of-a-kind competition, boats are outfitted with blade-like attachments reminiscent of ice skates, and participants navigate themselves along a 100-metre race track using ice picks equipped with spikes.
“This ice dragon boating involves crews of 10 paddlers plus one drummer and one steers-person who race against other teams on a frozen river or lake course,” says Cooper. “Ice dragon boating is quickly emerging as a popular winter sport around the world.”
Top teams from the BeaverTails Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival’s qualifying rounds will advance to the prestigious 2nd IIDBF World Club Crew Ice Dragon Boat Championships. The registration for this exhilarating event opens at 12:00 PM EST on October 4th. Be warned, this event has sold out within minutes in the past, so act swiftly!
The festival also respects the cultural traditions of dragon boat racing with a performance by the Success Dragon Lion Dance, followed by the centuries-old eye-dotting ritual. This ritual breathes life and fire into the ice dragon boat festival, awakening the spirit of the dragon.
Adding to the international flavour of the event, the National Anthem will be performed by C5: The Chinese Canadian Children’s Choir of Canada, celebrating the deep connection between Ottawa and its sister city, Beijing.
But it’s not all about competition. The festival’s partners at the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation (ODBF) invite supporters to warm hearts this winter by raising funds through the ODBF Shiver ‘N Giver Fundraising Drive. To date, ODBF has raised an impressive $5.5 million in support of over 75 Ottawa-based charities. The 8th annual ODBF Shiver ‘N Giver fundraising races will be held on February 9th under the night sky on an LED-lit racecourse. Races will be held for the top fundraising teams in the Mixed Division and Women’s Divisions.
The action heats up with the ceremonial musket shot fired by members of the 100th Regiment of Foot before the start of races on Saturday, February 10th. After a full day of races, champions will be crowned in a closing awards ceremony at HMCS Carleton.
But wait, there’s more! Last year’s massively successful free indoor concert series, “Live @ The Rainbow,” returns from February 2-19, heating things up throughout Winterlude! The festival’s well-received free indoor concert series has previously featured performances by renowned artists like Amanda Rheaume, Bedouin Soundclash, Craig Cardiff, The Commotions, Dear Rouge, Dwayne Gretzky, Kira Isabella, JW-Jones, Pony Girl, Twin Flames, We Were Sharks, and more!
The BeaverTails Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival promises non-stop action and enhanced programming for participants and the public, all free of charge. It’s an event that brings people together from all corners of the globe to celebrate winter, sports, and culture.
So, mark your calendars and make your plans because the BeaverTails Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival and the 2nd IIDBF World Club Crew Ice Dragon Boat Championships are coming to the Nation’s Capital! Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the coolest event of 2024!
“The festival races have sold out each year due to unprecedented demand, attracting new participants from around the world,” Cooper says. “In addition to the unbridled passion for the sport, the festival’s well-received free concert series has grown to present artists throughout Winterlude, as part of one of Canada’s most prestigious winter celebrations.”
For more information about the BeaverTails Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival, please visit icedragonboat.ca.
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