Ron Spence photo

Penticton Paddling Season begins under new direction.

Local Dragon Boaters took to the water this past week for another season of paddling and competition. The three mixed teams, one a Senior’s and one a special needs team, and 6 women’s teams range from recreational to competitive in approach and are eager to once again get out on the water, improve their performance and meet new paddlers.

This season, the paddling scene is locally organized after Go Rowing and Paddling Association of Canada transferred its interests to a local not-for-profit society managed by Don Mulhall and Launa Maundrell.

Mulhall has been the local Head Coach for fourteen years and was GO’s “man on the ground” here in the South Okanagan.

The two big local Festivals, one on June 28 and the other on Sept 6 & 7 will be home grown affairs for the first time in years.

At the end of last season, Mulhall notes that all the local teams showed marked improvement over the previous year so coaches and teams are excited about further improvements this year. The Paddling Club are hosting a “Fun and Fitness Festival” at the Skaha Boat house next to Penticton Marina.