Frequently Asked Questions

In order to join Hope Afloat Canada, you must be a woman who has had a diagnosis of breast or any other form of cancer. You are welcome to try dragon boating up to three times before deciding to join – we have a “Welcome Paddle” usually held mid- March. Our annual membership fees are $150.00 per year.

If you or someone you know is ready to enjoy the challenge of getting fit from paddling and embrace the camaraderie of others who have experienced cancer, Hope Afloat Canada would love to hear from you. No experience necessary. Please contact us for more information.

Our annual membership fees are $150.00 per year.

• Wooden paddle, PFD, team shirt and team jacket (all on loan for duration of membership)
• Coaching on paddling technique to prepare for racing at festivals
• Annual mandatory water safety in the pool
• Festival fees – There may be some costs involved to attend festivals but the team fundraising helps to subsidize these events

• Mid-March to April: Saturday mornings 8:00-9:00 on the water, weather and numbers permitting. (After Saturday practices we like to go for breakfast.)
• April: Practices vary, though typically we add a Tuesday practice.
• May to September: practices change to Tuesday and Thursday nights 6:00 to 7:00 on the water. We also have coaching nights and that time frame will be 6:00 to 7:30 pm.

We meet at the Comox Marina parking lot near the gazebo and washrooms. The practice involves a warm-up on land, followed by a one hour practice in the boat, and a stretch after on land.

Check your email for notification from team the Captain or Membership Committee  for the first practice and for any other changes.

Typically, we meet at the harbour to make the weather call. If there is a howling wind the practice will be called off so check your emails for notifications on those days. On Saturdays, we still like to go for breakfast and enjoy the social time.

Dress in layers; wear non-slip shoes; bring an extra change of clothes (you may get wet during the practice – it’s a water sport!), a water bottle and waterproof gloves (ex. lined garden gloves) if possible. Paddles and PFDs (lifejackets) will be provided at the marina and will be assigned on joining.

We attend several one- day festivals held locally and the team decides if we attend any overnight, two day festivals.

Practice with the team at least 50% of practice days to improve their skills, increase their level of fitness as able, paddle in at least 50% of festivals the team enters (as decided by the team), participate whenever possible in team meetings, committees, socials and gatherings and be the best they can be, and remembering to have fun.

Comox Valley Dragon Boat Society (CVDBS) is a non-profit registered charity. If you decide to join the team you may attend our regular meetings and engage in a variety of activities outside of paddling as a dragon boat team. We have an executive and committee structure. Meetings are held regularly. A confirming email is sent out by our president to inform you of the agenda, date, time and place.

There are several committees which would welcome your participation: Membership/Social, Safety/Fitness, Equipment/Merchandise, Fundraising, Bursary and Publicity.

When you become a member, you will also have access to a “Members Only” section which gives more detailed information about the team structure and what we do as a society for Cancer Awareness. We use a group email list to communicate information about practices or other team activities.

If you would like to join, the membership fee is $150.00 for the year. A cheque (or cash) should be attached to a membership form. This includes free dragon boat rental, and the equipment loan of PFD (life-jacket), team uniform and paddle. You will be coached on paddling techniques to help prepare us to enter into races at festivals. There may be some costs involved to attend festivals but the team fundraising helps to subsidize these events.

We welcome a limited number of Associate Paddlers (people who have not had cancer themselves but due to personal reasons wish to paddle with us and support our team,) to enjoy the sport of Dragon Boating and be part of our team!