WALLACEBURG – The sounds of drums beating and shouts of encouragement rang out across the Sydenham River here Saturday as teams competed in the 20th Sydenham Challenge Dragon Boat Festival.
The event returned with 18 teams participating after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as organizers pushed it back to August from when it is traditionally held in early June.
“It’s just been great,” said event founder Brian Armitage about having the dragon boat festival return.
“It’s such a fun day, that’s what it’s all about.”
Armitage was looking to create a new activity for Wallaceburg then his wife Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer. He said his wife became a founder of the Breast Buddies dragon boat team made up of breast cancer survivors then he thought of organizing event around that for Wallaceburg.
“So we formed the Sydenham Challenge Dragon Boat Festival,” he said. “That’s how it all began it was all about supporting breast cancer survivors.”
Karen Armitage was onboard from the first time her husband suggested it.
“I thought it was an awesome idea and he’s done an awesome job every year,” she said. “He works very hard doing this.”
Karen Armitage said it has also been awesome being part of the Breast Buddies dragon boat team.
She said the team also has members from Chatham, Sarnia, Petrolia and Oil Springs.
“We’re all in the same boat,” she quipped.
Not only is being part of the team a great support system, Karen Armitage said a British Columbia doctor also discovered rowing was a good exercise for breast cancer survivors.
She said rowing is excellent for helping those who get lymphedema in the arms from breast cancer.
Brian Armitage said the event has grown a lot from the six teams that participated in the first festival.
He said as demand to participate increased, they moved to the professional dragon boats.
Armitage noted the local Raging Dragons semi-pro is a big part of the event, by running the races.
“I organize everything up until the day of the event then they take over,” he said.