Page 38 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 152
P. 38
38 Issue #152 September 2025 www.sportsenergynews.com
Cornwall Waterfest Dragonboat Race 2025
Record-breaking Day on the Canal
By Christine Ouellet Paddlin’ Hellfish with a time of
50.23
he most spectacular summer
3. Ladies Division 1st place:
T2025 event was undoubtedly Blades of Glory with a time of 55.53
the August 9th Cornwall Waterfest
Dragon Boat Race. Cornwall Rock the Boat Brigade
came in a third place finish in the
This year’s 13th edition was Community division—an excellent
nothing short of thrilling, featuring
result for a group emerging as a
twenty-three teams across three rising hub of paddlers, many of
divisions—Community, Clubs, whom were new to dragon boating.
and Ladies—battling fiercely for
first place and aiming to surpass The event drew a large crowd.
expectations. Fans lined the edges of the old
canal, sitting in garden chairs and
Local teams, along with crews shielding themselves from the hot
from across Ontario and Quebec,
35-degree heat while enjoying Sime Pinoy Floaters team members Photo by Christine Oullet
raced in heats of three boats over a
a front-row view of the action.
200-meter course.
Throughout the day, DJ Shellshock energy. you’ve ever considered joining a
The winners were: kept the music playing, while team, it’s a fantastic sport to try—
announcer Steve McDonald of Mikel Billard, president of
1. Community division 1st Cornwall Waterfest Dragon Boat we always welcome new members.
place: Emard Lumber with a time LOL Entertainment maintained Racing, shared, “It’s thrilling to I want to thank our volunteers.
of 53.92 the excitement, introducing teams watch and even more exhilarating We are so grateful to all the amazing
and announcing results with lively
2. Club Division 1st place: to experience. Waterfest continues people who make this event
to grow each year, attracting teams possible. We had approximately
from across the region, who bring 40 volunteers who worked to make
fierce competition and unforgettable this event possible. We’re already
energy to the Cornwall Canal. I planning the 2026 Waterfest for
started in 2022 as a board member the second Saturday in August. See
and became chair of the committee you there—it’s the best race for
in 2023. This is the second full event spectators!”
I’ve run, and it’s amazing this year—
For many, the race was about more
so much energy and so many teams. than just speed. Every participant
We had just under 500 participants,
23 teams, and countless spectators. was a winner, whether they placed
first or second, achieved personal
It’s a tremendous success for us.
goals, triumphed over illness or
We have an announcer who really any type of cancer, or overcame
knows how to get the crowd going, personal challenges. On August 9th
and many teams cheer for each other. at Power Dam Road Park, smiles
It’s a great team-building event, with and pride were everywhere.
several local businesses entering Organized by the Waterfest Board
staff teams. Dragon boating is a
sport set in a beautiful environment and supported by a dedicated army
of volunteers, the event left no detail
Chair of Cancer Survival society, Alison Bridgewater and Mikel Billard, within a wonderful community. If
President Waterfest Festival Photo Submitted Continued on page 39
