After four years of building their organization and competing against the best competition in B.C., the Triport Dragonboat Society is looking to take things to the next level.
And it's looking for your help.
The society this year will support a team of North Island paddlers in its effort to qualify for a spot in the Canadian National Championships, to be held Aug. 23-25 at Victoria's Elk Lake.
In order to qualify for the nationals the team will first need to attend three qualifying race events in Vancouver, Nanaimo and Victoria.
The society is asking the assistance of any residents, businesses or groups who are willing to provide donations to offset the cost of jerseys, equipment, travel and accommodation and entry fees.
The society began in 2009 with the purchase of a single dragonboat and a core group of interested paddlers from Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Sointula and Port Alice. By last summer it had grown to 140 members with four boats, including four competitive teams who earned medals in a variety of categories in last year's Nanaimo regatta and showed strongly in additional regattas in Vancouver and Victoria.
The group has also hosted its own regatta in Port Hardy Bay in each of the past three years.
To contribute to the effort to qualify for nationals, or for other information including joining the society, contact Irene Paterson at 250-949-0635. Cheques may be mailed to Paterson at Box 1273, Port Hardy, BC, V0N 2P0.