Mortvedt, from Story City, was bailing water out of one of the boats.

“It helps keep your feet dry,” he said. “Makes it lighter too.”

The long sleek craft wasn’t going to reenact the Titanic on the lake though. The water comes from the paddlers; it’s simply splashed in there. No leaks, no worries.

Mortvedt is a sternsman for the Life is Bliss team. He’s responsible for steering. A drummer on the other end of the boat beats a drum to keep the paddlers synchronized. His team is based in Ames.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Bruce Mortvedt, of Story City, bails out some of the water that had splashed into one of the boats during the 26th annual Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. Mortvedt is the sternman for the Life is Bliss team from Ames.

“I love the camaraderie, the team spirit,” he said.

He’s been at it awhile.

“10 years, 12 years,” he said. “I don’t know.”

The Silver Bullet dragon boat racing team is based in Fort Dodge.

They are proud of their independence.

Peggy Cloud, of Fort Dodge, is their drummer.

“We’re your local nonprofessional team,” she said.

They got beat by a good boat length by the Cargill Corn Rowers.

“I don’t know how,” Cloud said.

The team was responsible for bringing a long Slip ‘N Slide to the event. It stretched from the top of the hill nearly to the bottom.

The idea for the team?

Have fun.

Collectively, they confirmed that they are indeed named after one of their favorite carbonated grain-based adult beverages.

After their last race, it was time for some of those.

“Probably,” Cloud said.

While the participants have lots of fun, there’s also a serious side to the event. It’s a fundraiser for breast cancer research and support.

Carol Phillips, of Rochester, Minnesota, is a breast cancer survivor.

“I’ve been paddling for 10 years,” she said. “I have 12 years as a survivor.”

She took part in the Survivor’s Ceremony.

“It’s always so empowering.” she said. “You remember what it was like when you’re first diagnosed. Being part of a community, I’m very grateful.”

Co-chairs of the event, Linda Donner and Barb Michaels, were also grateful. A call to the community for additional volunteers was answered, and they said the response was very good.

“We’re very appreciative,” Michaels said.

They said that 11 teams made it to this year’s event and that there were enough participants for a full boat in the Youth Team event.

One other thing also helped. “The weather gods smiled on us,” Donner said.

Dragon Boat Bash Race Results

BCS Finals

KC Pink Warriors: 1.612

Life is Bliss: 1.814

Fighting Angels Abreast: 1.864

Youth and Division C

Dragoniers: 2.596

Cargill Corn Rowers: 1.580

Jean Rice Family (Silver Bullet): 1.710

Division B

Cedar River Gang: 1.499

Slap Dragons: 1.515

Division A

Motely Crew: 1.506

New Coop Dragon Masters: 1.507

Flying Ears: 1.508