Racers brave rain for annual benefit
Overcast skies, threatening rain and real wind gusts didn’t discourage some 4,000 to 6,000 canoe-racing enthusiasts from taking in the second annual Dragon Boat Race Festival on Saturday at Bringle Lake.
The festival, which raised about $10,000 to benefit HandsOn Texarkana last year, likely took in twice as much this year, said Julie Collins, HandsOn Texarkana board chairwoman.
During the event, which lasted nearly seven hours, 24 teams with names such as the Cajun Invasion, the Domtar Donimators and the Wadely Water Warriors competed in six divisions. They included the women’s, men’s, best time and youth champion divisions, along with the most creative and most spirited.
Kathey Graves, HandsOn executive director, said the idea for the festival grew out of the desire to change the sporting events which supported the organization.
“We had golf tournaments for 18 years, so we decided to look for something different for fundraising,” Graves said.
Graves added that David Carter, former HandsOn board president, had a daughter who lives in Conway, Ark., involved in Dragon Boat racing.
“That is what gave us the idea,” Graves said.
Each dragon racing board is 42 feet long and holds 20 paddlers—10 for each side of the vessel.
Since the number of teams grew from 14 last year to 24 this year, Graves said they plan to continue the annual festival and try to hold it in the late April to early May period. This will allow for high-schoolers to participate. This year’s festival included three youth teams—two representing their high schools at Redwater and Pleasant Grove.
Collins said holding the festival in late April to early May also will allow for more pleasant and mild weather. Last year’s festival fell on June 11— too hot and humid for many lake-goers
Along with having corporate sponsors, Graves said selling festival oriented T-shirts, hats, beverage cups and other souvenirs also raises funds. Those seeking to buy leftover souvenirs can call Collins at 903-7983211.
The 300-meter races proved to put all the strength and endurance training the all-female Barbell Butterflys to good use, said Lynn Cofield, the team’s leader and Barbell Butterflys proprietor.
“Everything we do in the gym prepares these ladies for this event,” Cofield said. “We plan to have three team boats next year.”