After a few years hiatus, The Paddlefish signed on for the Finger Lakes Dragon Boat Festival on July 14. We fondly remembered their first festival and how welcoming the community was to our team. This day was hot and sunny and the venue was at beautiful Taughannough Lake, new for this race. As usual, the events ran a little off schedule but the P’fish had a wonderful time.

Lake Taughannock

The races were 200 meters, 440 meters, and a 2K. The course was tight and a “HOLD HARD” was imperative to avoid crashing into the docks. The teams were in good spirits and competitive. Hal was called into action when several members of the young team from Trinidad went down on the dock from dehydration. The Paddlefish took first in the minor division. We were especially pleased with our starts in the 200 which gave us a first place time of 56.62 seconds! And consolation first place in the 500 (440) with a time of 2:08.97. Our 2K time was 10:36.48 for third with the amazing Aquaholics taking first with 10:27.71. (humblebrag, we did all this with only 19 paddlers and 3 men). Thanks to Coaches Nat and Bob for relentlessly working us!

The Team minus Hal

Some highlights:

Dinner at Maxie’s Supper Club. Team Dinner at the Ithaca Beer Company and some hoppy Flower Power IPA. Ice Cream at Purity where one can get a $20 sundae! Breakfast at the Ithaca Bakery. Fun shopping at Wegman’s….the best grocery store. Hiking the falls.

Ithaca, we indeed have loved you for a long time!