Paddle for Life Dragon Boat races in Ridgefield

The Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Festival is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Port of Ridgefield Kayak Launch, 109 W. Division St., Ridgefield. This family-friendly fundraiser for breast cancer survivors features more than 50 teams from across the Pacific Northwest competing in two-team heats on a 250-meter racecourse, cheered on by hundreds of spectators. Teams consisting entirely of breast cancer survivors will kick off the day of racing at 8 a.m. Dragon boats, each piloted by 10 paddlers, a steersperson and a drummer, will compete throughout the day, culminating in the awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Catch-22 Ospreys, Clark County’s breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, in growing and sustaining a paddling community in Southwest Washington. Admission and parking are free. In addition to the dragon boat races, the festival features a variety of exhibitors and vendors. Those who can’t attend are welcome to make donations at paddleforlife.org.