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Photos | Dragon boaters close out 12th annual Paddlers Cup
Dozens of Dragon boaters took to the waters of Gig Harbor for the second day of the 12th annual Paddlers Cup races on April 27, 2025.
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Volunteers and Dragon boaters alike turned up early to fuel up, warm up, schmooze, and visit vendors before the race began. After the opening ceremony — the Awakening of the Dragon — boaters hit the waters in several different heats, before returning to shore to watch their comrades compete against each other.
The pre-awakened dragon sits in the pavilion at Skansie Brothers Park in Gig Harbor, Washington, on April 27, 2025, during the Dragon Boat Race. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Paddlers and race volunteers wait for the race to start. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
A dragon head waits to be attached to a boat. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Jeanne Winding organizes paddles. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Deborah Hoy can be seen through the front of a boat named, “Dragon Lady.” Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Deborah Hoy, center, smiles, as Tacoma Dragon Boaters exit their boat. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
The race’s first wave of Dragon Boaters warms up. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Paddles frame boaters waiting to race. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Two Gig Harbor Dragon boaters perform the Awakening of the Dragon ceremony. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
A Gig Harbor Dragon boater shakes water-laden lilacs over attendees, as part of the opening ceremony. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
One of the first teams heads to the water. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Dragon boaters suit up. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Linda Hume wears dragon earrings. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
A Tacoma Dragon Boat Association team waits to push off. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
A member of a Tacoma Dragon Boat Association team can be seen reflected in the water. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
A Tacoma Dragon Boat Association team pushes off the dock. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
A Tacoma Dragon Boat Association Dragon boat team starts paddling out. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
The City of Gig Harbor Dragon boat team paddles out. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Gig Harbor Mayor Mary Barber, right, watches Dragon boat teams race. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
The One Hope Church Dragon boat team returns to the dock, after winning the first heat. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
The painted design of a hummingbird and a flower graces the drum of a Dragon boat. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick
Teams competing in the second heat descend the ramp to waiting boats. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick