The Squamish Dragon Boat Association's (SDBA) Team Chawanda competed against the best in a wild weekend in Victoria at the annual Victoria Dragon Boat Festival.
Some of the best women's teams on the West Coast attended the event and Chawanda finished an impressive fourth among 22 teams.
Action got underway for Chawanda on Saturday (Aug. 17) and the local paddlers won both of their races to advance to the Platinum Championship semifinals on Sunday (Aug. 18).
In the semifinal, Chawanda battled with festival favourites FLCC Fast and Furious and narrowly beat them to move into the final four.
But the Cinderella run ended for Chawanda in the finals as they placed fourth. Despite the letdown in the finals, Chawanda team member Cathie Greenlees said the team has a lot to be proud of.
"It was a disappointing ending to an amazing weekend for the ladies but our training and dedication showed through," she stated in an email. "We can hold our heads up high as we gained great respect from the other teams and once again reinforced that Team Chawanda is a force to be reckoned with."
The team will return to its regular practice schedule on the Cattermole Slough and all those interested can call Greenlees at (604) 815-3506 or visit the team's Facebook page ,Squamish Dragon Boat Association.
