Battling wind, waves, and a long road back from the pandemic, the Kootenay Robusters Dragon Boat Team came home with hardware from the Harrison Lake Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, July 26 – third-place finish in the D Division.
Held under clear skies and gusty conditions, the one-day festival drew large crowds to the waterfront. Each team raced three times, with the final heats matched by skill level, raising the stakes and the energy at the finish line.
For the Robusters, the medal meant more than just a podium photo. Since COVID-19 disrupted training and team numbers, rebuilding has been slow. But Saturday’s performance felt like a turning point. “Getting that third place was huge for us,” said a team representative. “It showed that we’re finally heading back in the direction we know we’re capable of.”
Racing is only part of the story. For the Robusters, camaraderie is key.
The journey to Harrison included a team road trip on the Beaver Valley Night Hawks bus, a ride made better by their longtime driver, Steve, and a shared stay at a lakeside hotel capped off with a team potluck.
The team is actively recruiting and welcomes women of all ages and experience levels to give paddling a shot.
For more information, visit kootenayrobusters.com.