Tag: nanaimo

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Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival launches anticipated summer events season

Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival launches anticipated summer events season

“The racing is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day and they leave the start line every eleven minutes,” Ages told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The 500 metre straight course starts at the southern edge of Newcastle Channel and ends at the Fishing and Walking Pier, often referred to as the crab dock.

Three teams compete at a time.

In addition to the races, all-day, on-shore entertainment takes over Maffeo Sutton Park, including live musical and dance performances, food trucks, a kids play area and beer garden.

Ages said dragon boaters from all over Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland are energized for the Nanaimo event.

“Its been really difficult for these athletes for the last two years…people are really excited to get together and congregate,” Ages said in reference to canceled local dragon boat festivals in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Funds raised from the event supports the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation and BC Cancer Foundation.

Back-to-back breast cancer survivor races are scheduled starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday.

Ages said successful dragon boat teams require a blend of strength, preparation and diligent teamwork.

“They achieve medals by behaving as one unit, as one organism and that takes a lot of practice and a lot plain hard work.”

Dragon boating consists of 20 paddlers, a steerer and drummer.

The theme for this year’s festival is Life’s a Beach Party which will undoubtedly inspire some wild outfits. Prizes will be awarded to the mixed and women’s teams with the most colourful, tackiest beach attire and accessories.

More details on the event can be found here.

This is the first year Victoria based Fairway Gorge Paddling Club (FGPC) is running the entire Nanaimo event after serving as race coordinator for many years.

FGPC is staging the Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series this year, involving five events in the spring and summer.

Apair of other high profile summer events are on deck at Maffeo Sutton Park, with the Silly Boat Regatta on on Sunday, July 17.

The Nanaimo Marine Festival takes place the following weekend, culminating with the world renowned bath tub race on Sunday, July 24.

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B.C. urges preparedness and strategy to fight extreme climate events

B.C. urges preparedness and strategy to fight extreme climate events

By Canadian Press

Jun 20, 2022 | 3:35 PM

VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government has released its new strategy to get the province ready to fight extreme weather that sets off heat, wildfires and flooding. 

Environment Minister George Heyman says the plan includes enhanced roles for the BC Wildfire Service to prepare and prevent fires. 

He highlighted the success of the community of Logan Lake, southwest of Kamloops, in its preparation that helped it avoid being overrun by an aggressive wildfire last August. 

Logan Lake Mayor Robin Smith says the community had 18 years to prepare for such a fire, and her advice is that it’s important just to start somewhere and take the first step to protect properties and communities. 

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City of Nanaimo offers free shuttle buses for Canada Day, three other summer events – Nanaimo News Bulletin

City of Nanaimo offers free shuttle buses for Canada Day, three other summer events - Nanaimo News Bulletin

Free shuttle bus service will be offered during four popular events in Nanaimo this summer.

At a Regional District of Nanaimo board meeting Tuesday, June 14, directors approved a City of Nanaimo request for use of two RDN Transit buses for Canada Day, Dragon Boat and Marine festivals and Vancouver Island Exhibition. Shuttle service would run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during one day of each event, according to an RDN staff report.

Jamie Rose, city manager of transportation, told the News Bulletin the actual days are still being determined. The plan is to have bus exchanges at Woodgrove Centre and Vancouver Island University as starting points for the direct service, but the city is still awaiting confirmation.

At a May 30 city council meeting, Lainy Stevenson, city active transportation project specialist, told council members that bike valet and secure bike parking will also be part of the service, with spots for 100 bikes initially.

“We’re going to start with Canada Day,” Stevenson said at the May 30 meeting. “This is the first time we’re doing this; we really don’t know how it’s going to go. Of course, we hope that all 100 spots are going to be used and events from there will be able add more capacity.”

The city will pay a maximum of $3,000 per day, with $20,000 of its alternative transportation education and marketing and ‘Healthamongus’ budgets, a May 30 city staff report stated.

The Silly Boat Regatta and Truth and Reconciliation Day were other days that were mentioned when service could be provided and Rose said the city would “wait and see” if it can provide the shuttle service to those events.

“This is another example of the city as a whole working together to find ways to support events and create opportunities for people to get out and have fun and given even more options to not use your car,” said Rose.


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City organizing group rides as part of Spring GoByBike Week in Nanaimo – Nanaimo News Bulletin

City organizing group rides as part of Spring GoByBike Week in Nanaimo - Nanaimo News Bulletin

The City of Nanaimo is encouraging people to go by bike for a week in an effort to get people out of their cars.

Spring GoByBike happens May 30-June 5 when Nanaimo’s cyclists can get in the saddle to reduce emissions, save on fuel costs and win prizes by participating in events and visiting celebration stations, noted a city press release.

Cyclists are encouraged to make the most of this year’s commuter challenge by registering online for Spring GoByBike where they can record all the kilometres they ride throughout the week for a chance to win prizes that include an adult bike and a kids bike, donated by Canadian Tire. Registration is free at http://gobybikebc.ca/nanaimo.

In Nanaimo, celebration stations hosted by sponsors will be set up at various locations, so riders might want to plan their routes to stop by and enter to win prizes. An updated digital cycling map will be available soon to assist with route planning.

Numerous biking events are planned, too, with a kickoff event May 29, a downtown heritage bike tour on May 31, a clean-up ride June 4, a “Nanaimo (Handle) Bar Ride” June 4 and a commuter challenge wrap-up event June 11.

Cyclists who don’t want to attend events can still participate virtually. The City of Nanaimo has joined bike tag, a game started by the cycling community that is now played all over the world. Bike tag is a photo tag game played on bicycles where riders find and create fun mystery locations around Nanaimo.

“Grease the chains, don your reflective vests and GoByBike Nanaimo,” said Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog in the press release. “This B.C.-wide event celebrates active and fun ways to get around and is for everyone, at every level.”


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Nanaimo’s Wastelands buzzing again after second event in VIMX racing series

Nanaimo’s Wastelands buzzing again after second event in VIMX racing series

Some weekend rain did little to dampen atmosphere at the Wastelands, however it did cause some operational challenges with heavy machinery used to help maintain the track in between races.

“We had to delay our practice to Sunday morning because of weather but other than that it went very well.”

Wastelands hosted three events in 2021 as regular racing got underway post-pandemic restrictions. Two races were part of the VIMX series while a March season opener served as a club race.

Wiltsey added many kids and adults turned to motocross throughout shutdowns in other sports.

“Our membership at the Wastelands almost doubled through the pandemic. A big percentage of those are new riders. It’s been great for our sport to see new people into it.”

A full list of results for the event is available on the VIMX website, with division winners from the central Island listed below:

  • Ramido Galdames (Nanaimo) – 1st, 50cc open
  • Baelen Macklem (Qualicum Beach) – 1st, 65cc Open
  • Dylan Ramirez (Qualicum Beach) – 1st, 85cc 12-16 years old
  • Lucas Evans (Nanaimo) – 1st, Beginner Open
  • Nick Syrotuck (Nanaimo) – 1st, Plus 30
  • Luca Mihoc (Nanoose Bay) – 1st, Tykes 4-8 years old

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