Eugene, Ore. - Community teams are registering now for the 3rd Annual Heroes to Oregon (H2o) Dragon Boat Paddle Challenge on Saturday, October 15, 2016. You don't need any experience to participate, just 10 people 14 years or older who are willing to paddle their hearts out for a minute and a half.  

This event is design as a fun paddle for people who have never set foot on a dragon boat, but would like to try the sport and have a fun day on the water. The event is unique in that corporate/community division teams are assigned an experienced coach/caller for the day who will instruct the novice team on basic dragon boat technique and usher them through the event.  

This annual community event is a fundraiser for the Eugene Parks Foundation Veterans Adaptive Sport Project, which "provides funding for injured, ill and disabled Veterans to be able to engage in adaptive sports all year long and encourage veterans to stay active and live a healthy lifestyle." 

The Paddle Challenge is sponsored, in part, by Guaranty Chevrolet and RV Services, and is organized by Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports, Emerald City Dragon Boat Club and the City of Eugene Adaptive Recreation.

For people who don't have a team, but want to paddle, there is a $35 Free Agent registration option. This means you sign up and are assigned a team.  A practice boat is also available for rent, and every registered team gets one on water orientation with an experienced coach.  

People interested in participating can find out more information at EugeneDragonBoating.org/h2o or email Erin Zysett. 

• Early Bird Cost: $250 per team (ends May 15, 2016)
• Regular Cost: $350 per team (ends August 24, 2016)
• Late Registration Cost: $450 per team (registration closes Sept. 7, 2016)
• Course: 250 meter out and back. Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 3 races.

Divisions include mixed or women's novice/corporate and mixed or women's experienced. Mixed teams must include a minimum of five women. 

Contact:  Erin Zysett, President, Emerald City Dragon Boat Club
(503) 999-2360; info@eugenedragonboating.org

Andy Vobora, Vice-President of Stakeholder Relations, Travel Lane County
(541) 743-8770; (800) 547-5445; Andy@EugeneCascadesCoast.org

 Travel Lane County markets and promotes the Eugene, Cascades and Coast region as a destination for travel, conventions, sports, meetings and events. It serves as a private, nonprofit association dedicated to economic development through visitor spending, which pumped more than $609.9 million into Lane County, Oregon's economy in 2014. EugeneCascadesCoast.org

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