Dragon boat club's seven boats lost to surging river

The Edmonton Dragon Boat Racing Club is scouring the North Saskatchewan River for seven racing boats after their dock broke free from its anchors Monday night.

Edmonton has received almost 200 mm of precipitation this June — more than double the expected amount. The river is now flowing at twice the level considered safe for boats on the water, according to the River Watch Institute.

"We're really just hoping that the boats are found somewhere," said Troy McLeod, the club's vice-president. "If they're in great shape, great. If they're not, then what stage are they at? Can they be repaired? So we're hopeful that even if they're far from the city, we can get them."

The club has over 200 members. If the seven boats cannot be recovered, the losses will be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Two or three boats stored on land may be repairable, but McLeod said current river conditions make any formal search too dangerous. Club members spotted debris moving downriver around 10:30 p.m. Monday, possibly debris that struck and dislodged the dock.

Anyone who spots a dragon boat downstream should email the club at info@edbrc.club.