‘Fuelled’ at the 2023 Dragon Boat Festival!

Cupper's is sponsoring TWO Dragon Boat Teams!

Cupper’s has always been a community-minded place… it’s something we pride ourselves on. Usually we’re pretty quiet about it, but this time we’re going to be cheering pretty loud. Meet our women’s dragon boat team participating in the2023 ATB Financial Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival – Fuelled by Bad Coffee! And for the first time, we’re co-sponsoring a new team – Blind Ambition! 

We’re really excited about this! Blind Ambition is a mixed team of both men and women, some of whom are visually impaired. They are going to be sharing the Festival Tent with our Fuelled women. 

First, check out last year’s Jun 7, 2022 Global TV article on the return of dragon boating on Henderson Lake in 2023.

Bad Nitro Brew Coffee at the Festival

four bad coffee nitro brew black white cans

Nothing is better to wander around with on a hot day than an icy beverage… like a cold can of Bad Nitro Brewed Coffee. And now, for the first time, we’re going to be at the festival with all the cans you didn’t know you craved. Find our booth, grab a can, slake your thirst, and then kick some butt in a dragon boat race! 

What is a dragon boat festival?

The ATB Financial Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival is one of the biggest dragon boat festivals in Alberta… and definitely the most fun! Racing is the main focus of the event, with teams from all over western Canada and US participating.

Dragon head in front of a dragon boat
This year’s Dragon Boat Festival runs from Friday to Sunday, June 23 to 25th. There’s a whole listing of events you don’t want to miss! Things start Friday evening with a lion dance and blessing of the boats. There’s also special races and competitions held that evening. Make sure to make the Rose Ceremony at noon on Saturday… that’s a heart-tugger!
 
There’s a lot more to the Festival than just races though. Check out the market place of vendors, the many food trucks, and a beer garden. There’s also a full stage with entertainment all day on Saturday and Sunday, and a children’s area. Check out the race lineups and entertainment schedules!

What is a dragon boat?

Two dragon boats racing on a lake

A dragon boat is a long, narrow boat that has benches for 20 paddlers who paddle in sync together. There is a drummer/coach on a raised seat at the front (bow) of the boat who helps set the pace and coach the paddlers. At the back of the boat (stern) is a steers, who uses a long steering oar to control the boat. During practices, the boats are headless and tailless. During actual festivals or displays, dragon boats have a head, tail, and number attached.

Who is 'Fuelled by Bad Coffee'?

“Fuelled by Bad Coffee” is Cupper’s sponsored Women’s Dragon Boat Team. Several of the team are experienced paddlers, while some only have a bit of experience. There are also several who are in a dragon boat for the very first time! They’re all members of the Dragonboat Association of Southern Alberta (DASA).
BAD Coffee punch face guy with paddles behind him and Fuelled by Bad Coffee

Fuelled’s coach, Romina Senneker, is an experienced national level paddler and has the team training hard on Henderson Lake.  Fuelled’s drummer is Leanne Dumontier, and Cupper’s own Nancy Graham is the Steers. Both Romina and Leanne were featured in the Global TV article about the return of the Festival last year. Watch for the Fuelled by Bad Coffee team in their snazzy purple jerseys, and the Blind Ambition Mixed Team and be sure to cheer them all on at the 2023 ATB Financial Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival!

double rainbow over dragon boats at Henderson Lake
Scroll to Top