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World’s Top Dragon Boat Club Teams Coming to Toronto

IDBF World Championships Now Only Three Weeks Away

TORONTO, July 21, 2006 — Well over a hundred teams – coming from as far away as Russia, South Africa and Australia - have registered to compete in the upcoming International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) Club Crew World Championships, taking place in Toronto this August.

As of today, 2,335 athletes are confirmed for the championship races – a number which is expected to continue to rise as the race deadline approaches.  With the addition of the community and diversity races, including breast cancer survivor teams, the numbers of athletes and supporters will exceed 3,000.

Many of the world’s best dragon boat crews are coming from across Canada and the U.S., as well as from Australia, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, Netherlands, Russia, the Philippines, South Africa and Ukraine and region of Macau.

“We are very pleased with the strong response we have had from the international dragon boat community,” said Organizing Committee Chair Sharifa Khan.  “These numbers put us in a great position to build on the success of past IDBF Championships in places like Shanghai, Berlin and Cape Town.  We are now working very hard with our partners, sponsors and volunteers to ensure that Toronto puts on the best ever Club Crew World Championships. We look forward to the communities of these countries in Canada to come out to the Championship to cheer their teams on,” said Khan.  

The Championships were the catalyst for the building of a beautiful new watercourse - the Western Beaches Watercourse, off Marilyn Bell Park.  Practice runs will be held on August 8 and 9, and official competition will take place from August 10-13, 2006.  Admission is free for all.  For more information, and for a full schedule of events, visit www.2006ccwc.com.