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MAKING WAVES: 180 crews of all levels hit the waters of False Creek for the annual Pacific Concord Dragon Boat Festival. An unusual heat wave greeted this year’s competitors in the three-day regatta, including nine teams that contested for the first Barrier Free Canada Cup. Teams with punning names such as Abreast in a Boat (Breast Cancer), Butts in a Boat (Prostate Cancer), Blind Sided  (B.C. Blind Sports and Recreation) and Many in Motion (Rick Hansen Foundation) kickstarted the festivities to raise awareness around their respective charities. Their race also headlined the fifth Dragon Boat B.C. Gala, chaired by Peter Wong. Several hundred guests filled the Concord Pacific Presentation Centre to take in the race and imbibe in an evening of food and drink, while raising $100,000 for the Milton Wong Legacy Project, a charity named in honour of the festival founder dedicated to ensuring underserved youth have the opportunity to access opportunities to enjoy recreation sports including Dragon Boating.  

RECORD HOLE: 136 players hit the fairways of Point Grey Golf and Country Club for Arts Umbrella’s annual golf tournament. Presented by Nicola Wealth Management and chaired by Lawson Lundell’s Angela Austman and Goldcorp’s Randall Chatwin, this year’s outing saw a first in the history of the two decades old tournament — a special hole in one that saw one lucky participant, Steve Verhoeff, drive away with a luxury vehicle valued at more than $100,000. Verhoeff’s winning ways continued as his foursome would post the day’s lowest score. The celebrations would continue back at the clubhouse where players and friends gathered for the charity dinner, opening their hearts and wallets to ensure the performing arts school continue to provide high quality arts education to children regardless of their financial, geographical or cultural barriers.

INSPIRING KIDS: The 12 North Sports Classic literally offered something for everyone; from a 9-hole golf tournament, to a fantasy football draft, youth football camp and fishing excursion in Haida Gwaii with Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson. With a strong desire to give back and help other kids get onto the gridiron, the 27 year-old Winsor, Ont. native enlisted a group of fellow NFL players and alumni including legendary Hawks player Steve Largent to participate in the inaugural staging north of the border. The multi-event extravaganza was recently held in Tsawwassen, Vancouver, Burnaby and Haida Gwaii. Chaired by Greg Keith, owner of Dueck, and a group of NFL football enthusiasts, fans convened at various stages of the weekend to rub shoulders with Wilson and his Seahawks teammates, while also raising funds and awareness for three worthy beneficiaries: the B.C. Special Olympics, Skidgate Haida Immersion Program and Luke Willson Foundation.

ROLL WONDER: Credited with popularizing Japanese cuisine on the West Coast and Canada, Hidekazu Tojo, or simply Tojo to fans, was recognized for his California roll, a game changing creation that enticed a nation to try sushi. Noticing that customers were reluctant to try sushi with seaweed visible, he added rice to the outside of the roll, inspiring what has become known as the California roll worldwide. In marking the country’s 150th, Cadillac Canada set out to identify the 150 daring moments that have defined our country’s past and future. From instant replay to the pacemaker for the heart, and the inside out sushi that won over foodies, Cadillac released the list of Canadian moments that have driven our nation forward. Cadillac officials recently hosted a delicious display of food and drink at Tojo’s West Broadway restaurant to raise a glass to our country’s birthday and Tojo’s contribution to Canada’s culinary scene. Cadillac Canada is also searching for the country’s next Daring Moment: an innovative Canadian project that dares to push the boundaries in its field. The winning idea will be brought to life with a $25,000 contribution from Cadillac Canada, along with a mentorship from a leader in the field.