BY CHERYL SHUMWAY
North Country This Week

HANNAWA FALLS — Fifteen dragon boats, each holding 20 paddlers, a drummer and steerer, moved together in sync with the drumbeats at Postwood Park on July 16.

The event, organized by Clarkson University Health Services Program, in conjunction with Potsdam Town Recreation, raises money to support mission trips, health initiatives and health education in St. Lawrence County.

“Last year we raised $13,000. We are hoping for $15,000 this year,” said Chris LaPoint,  event organizer and Assistant Clinical Professor of Clarkson University’s Physician Assistant Program.

“The money raised will fund new health initiatives,” said LaPoint. “Last year we did a fitness program, Girls on the Run,” for third and fourth grade girls. We are looking to add a yoga and mindfulness program in schools this year,” he said. To make a donation to a team or individual, visit: sites.clarkson.edu/dragon-boat/registration

“This event teaches Clarkson Health Science students how to organize events, and it gives them something fun to do,” said LaPoint. “It also helps promote local businesses and helps Postwood Park grow,” LaPoint said.

First place winners were “Clarkson Hockey”, a combined men’s and women’s team. Second place went to Ichor Life Sciences, a biotechnology company partnering with Clarkson University. St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers’ “Paddle to the Medal” team took third, and Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s “Stroke Protocol” took fourth place.

Highlights of the event included two Buffalo women’s teams made up entirely of cancer survivors, "Nina’s Hope” and “Nina’s Dream.”

Anne Kist, head coach and organizer, said, “Hope Chest runs support groups that show what breast cancer survivors can do. It’s a positive support group that started dragon boat racing in 2000. “The teams’ names honor their co-founder, Nina, whose spirit lives on with the 125 women who currently make up three Nina teams.

Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing, of Knoxville, TN, again supplied the boats and navigator for each competitor boat. Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing was the company which helped stage past events in Waddington.

Both LaPoint and Michelle Garrow, Potsdam Town Recreation Director, have plans to keep growing the festival. An inaugural youth team this year was made up of soccer students from Edward-Knox, Canton, Heuvelton and Norwood-Norfolk schools.They hope to engage more youth teams next year.

LaPoint is also looking for more business sponsors. Barstow Motors, Northern Tier Contracting, Leeward Physical Therapy and DeFelsko partnered with the Dragon Boat Festival this year. To donate, businesses can contact Christopher LaPoint: clapoint@clarkson.edu

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Two breast cancer survivor teams from Buffalo, ”Nina’s Hope” and “Nina’s Dream,” competed in Raquette River Dragon Boat races. Hope Chest runs support groups that show what breast cancer survivors can do, said coach Anne Kist. NCNow photo

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Three dragon boats launch from shore to prepare for the start of the Raquette River Dragon Boat Festival races. From left are “suPAhumans,” “Different Strokes,” and “Sustainable Dragon." NCNow photo

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An inaugural youth team made up of soccer students from Edward-Knox, Canton, Heuvelton and Norwood-Norfolk schools competed in the Raquette River Dragon Boat Festival. NCNow photo

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Two breast cancer survivor teams from Buffalo, ”Nina’s Hope” and “Nina’s Dream,” walk under paddles as they celebrate completion of their Raquette River Dragon Boat races. NCNow photo