Shuswap Dragon Boat Society - Friends Abreast

As our 2024  paddling season comes to a close, we can think back to the year so far, and look forward to several social events that are still to take place.

March & April

We had our annual Garage Sale on Saturday, April 15.  All monies ($904.00) from this event went to the SDBS/Friends Abreast team funds. 

Our usual 4-week dryland training at Blackburn Park directed  by Liz Burdeniuk and Linda Fraser, continued this year, with many members taking advantage of it.  Thank you to you both Liz and Linda for  leading us in this.  

We had our AGM and Annual General Meeting on Sunday, April 21st, held at the Legion who kindly donated the space.  Liz Burdeniuk and Gaye Clapperton were re-elected for another 2 year term , and we were pleased to welcome Heather King to the Board.

May

Our annual Garage sale was held in Centenoka Mall on May 4th, with all proceeds ($1600) going to team funds. 

Our coach, Dorothea, attended 2 coaching clinics - one in Penticton and one in Salmon Arm on May 6th organised by our team.  Unfortunately, due to an injury, Dorothea was only able to coach for a few practises;  but Barb Cruikshank from the Grey Grebes stepped in - for which we are truly thankful.  We are looking forward to Dorothea returning next year with all her new knowledge.

As usual we had a great turnout to help load and launch the boat on May 16th, which included several spouses - many thanks to you all.  For the first week, and now the last couple of weeks of the season, we have again shared a boat with the Grey Grebes, so that we can moor in the deeper water of the Sea Dog area.

After a generous donation from the Legion, and also the use of their hall, we have been for a Beer and a Burger there a couple of times - the least that we can do, and we get beer and a burger!

June

June 1st we had a Membership drive at the Farmers Market.  Liz Burdeniuk spearheaded the event along with the Membership committee.  We were able to recruit new members at the drive.  We want to welcome our new members - Alex (steersperson), Maria, Ric (steersperson), and Leanne.  You were all a great asset to the team, and we hope to see you all return next season.  

June 10th was our first social gathering, organised by the social committee - pot luck at Maureen Rettie's house.  Many thanks to her for hosting it.  Once again we had a great time and turnout.

On June 15th our team attended the Salmon Arm Dragon Boat Festival.  It felt so good to be in a festival again.  Thank you Barb, our manager, for rounding up the paddlers so we could participate once again.  Also thank you to Byril for stepping in at the last minute to steer for us, when Kevin was unavoidably detained. 

June 18th, we held our annual Awakening of the Dragon Ceremony.  Helen Hall  was our guest to dot the eye.  Again she is one of the founding members of the SDBS-Friends Abreast.   

 July

July 2nd a group visited Farmer John's in Grinrod, for a Mexican lunch and ice cream - not to mention shopping again and cows!

July 17th saw us visiting Sicamous for lunch at Moose Muligan's followed by browsing shops (and shopping!) and visiting Fruit World.  Janet and Suzie were our unofficial ambassadors!

 August

August 5th we took the boat out, but as mentioned earlier we are sharing with the Grebes until August 20th and going for a celebratory end of season drink after our final paddle!  Once again, a huge thank you to all who turned up to load and clean the boat - again many spouses too.

We are looking forward to our August birthdays celebration at Dorothea's on August 29th.

September

Coffee mornings are resuming on September 5th from 9:00am to 10:00am at the Underpass cafe at the Prestige, and then continue on the first Thursday of the month.

Once again our team will support the Terry Fox Run.  This year it will be held on Sunday, September 15.  Margaret Hinchliff has set up a Pledge page under the Friends Abreast team on the Terry Fox website for members who wish to make a donation.  We will not be gathering as a team for this event as we have in past years.  If you wish to participate, it will be held at Blackburn Park.  Registration is at 9:00 a.m.

October

Well this is the exciting one!  This year we are going bigger and better with the Breast Cancer awareness campaign.  The theme is "Dress the Town Pink", and we are decorating Alexander between Hudson and Front Street - including the treble clef area.  Stores are being encouraged to also participate.  We shall be giving out carnations from a market booth on October 5th, and also selling ribbons (funds going to the Hospital Foundation for their new wireless mammography technique), for people to tie on the wharf to remember people undergoing breast cancer treatment/in memorium.  We are also encouraging people to wear pink on that day.

November

Our book sale will be on November 23rd this year in Picadilly Mall.

December

Our annual Christmas party will be on December 2nd - details to follow. 

Note:  For all the above events, one can go to Gallery link on the friendsabreast.com website.  There you will find a more detailed account. Also, the homeslide show will show photos of the various events.  

Membership Information

We welcome new paddlers – survivors and supporters alike. No experience necessary – we will teach you to paddle.

If you are interested in joining the Shuswap Dragon Boat Society, either as a Paddling Team Member or Friend of the Boat, please email us at friendsabreast@gmail.com and complete our membership application and waiver form and review our safety guidelines.