The Sydenham Challenge Dragon Boat Festival originated in 2001, with the inaugural event initially planned for the autumn of that year. However, due to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the first year's festival had to be postponed until the following year, specifically in the early summer.
In 2000, Don Verhaeghe, an enthusiastic dragon boat paddler and member of our community, introduced the sport of Dragon Boat Racing locally. He was also a member of the Raging Dragons of Chatham Kent. Don approached the Wallaceburg Breast Cancer Support Group with the aim of expanding the sport within their group. Their initial challenge was to find twenty-two or more breast cancer survivors who were interested in participating. To achieve this, they reached out to other Breast Cancer Support Groups in Chatham and Sarnia, which led to the formation of the Breast Buddies Dragon Boat Team.
Brian Armitage, who had previous experience organizing community events, took on the task of organizing the Sydenham Dragon Boat Festival. However, he had no prior experience with dragon boats. Fortunately, Don Verhaeghe offered his expertise, knowledge, and guidance. The Raging Dragons of Chatham Kent also provided support for the event.
In the first year, due to budget constraints, the teams raced in "The Tin Tubs" (The Raging Dragons practice boats) using borrowed life jackets and paddles. Eight teams participated in the inaugural year. By 2004, the event had grown to include fourteen teams, indicating a promising trend of continuous growth.
To further advance the festival, the organizers decided to seek sponsorships. Eternity's Touch, mPower, Subway, and Southwest Regional Credit Union came on board as sponsors and have remained supportive to this day. This allowed the festival to acquire official dragon boats, which are lightweight and measure forty-two feet in length, accommodating a crew of twenty-two individuals.
Thanks to our sponsors, we have been able to keep the registration fees for the Sydenham Challenge at a minimum. To this day, we proudly claim to have the lowest registration fees among all Dragon Boat Festivals in this area.
From seasoned veterans to enthusiastic newcomers, our event is ready to make a splash! Each crew brings their own unique flair and competitive spirit to the water. Get ready to cheer on your favorites and witness the power of unity in action. See you on the historic Sydenham River in beautiful Wallaceburg Ontario.