Harrison Race Day Recap
Harrison, You Were Unforgettable!
There are race days you remember because of the medals. Then there are race days you remember because of the experience.
Our first-ever Harrison Dragon Boat Festival was definitely the latter.
Some of our team arrived Friday evening, enjoying a chance to relax together, share some laughs, and soak in the famous Harrison Hot Springs before race day. It was a wonderful reminder that dragon boating is about more than racing—it's about the friendships and camaraderie we build along the way.
We woke Saturday morning to calm skies and beautiful scenery, but Harrison Lake had other plans. As the day unfolded, changing winds, lake currents, rain, and powerful gusts created challenging conditions that tested every crew—and especially every steersperson.
A huge thank you to our rockstar steersperson, Jason, whose calm leadership and skill at the helm guided us safely and confidently through everything Harrison threw our way.
Thank you also goes to our drummer, Trish, whose steady rhythm and reminders helped keep our crew composed, synchronized, and focused through the chaos on the water.
The Harrison Crew, minus several who spared this race.
RACE TIMES
Qualifier Race 11 | Lane 5, 5th place, 2:23.491
Semi-final Race 18 | Lane 3, 2nd place, 2:19.960
D Division Final Race 30 | Lane 6, 5th, 2:22.471
We're incredibly proud of our team's performance. For a new club competing at Harrison for the very first time, earning a place in the Division D Final against some very tough competition was a tremendous accomplishment. There may not have been any bling this time, but with so many newer paddlers in our boat, we couldn't be prouder of what we achieved together.
None of this happens without great coaching. Thank you to Coach Denise, whose emphasis on control, focus, and trusting the process prepared us for exactly the kind of unpredictable conditions we faced. When everything around you is changing, staying calm and paddling your race makes all the difference.
We're also incredibly proud of Niki, who was invited to assist on the race operations boats throughout the day. What a fantastic opportunity to experience dragon boating from a completely different perspective and contribute to the success of the festival.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our newest teammates who weren't racing but still came to Harrison to cheer us on. Your support from the shoreline meant so much and speaks volumes about the incredible community we're building together.
There's little time to rest. In just two weeks we'll be back on the water for another freshwater challenge as we head to Kamloops.
One race at a time. One paddle stroke at a time.
Harrison Lake photo by teammate, Steve.