
Annual event raises funds and awareness for breast cancer survivors
RIDGEFIELD – The Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Festival returns to the Port of Ridgefield this Saturday, August 2, for a full day of racing, community connection and family fun, all in support of breast cancer survivors in Clark County.

More than 50 dragon boat teams will compete in fast-paced, head-to-head heats along a 250-meter course on Lake River. The festival kicks off with opening ceremonies at 8 a.m., followed by a special breast cancer survivor heat that honors the strength and resilience of those impacted by the disease. Races continue throughout the day, culminating in an awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m.

Off the water, guests can enjoy an expanded vendor village with food, artisan goods, wellness services and cancer awareness resources.
Proceeds support the Catch-22 Ospreys, Southwest Washington’s only all breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, helping provide access to paddling and funding outreach that fosters healing, connection and early detection awareness.
Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Festival
- When: Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Where: Port of Ridgefield Kayak Launch, 109 W Division St, Ridgefield, WA 98642
- Admission: Free | Family-friendly | Free Parking Available
The event is made possible by generous community partners, including the Port of Ridgefield, the City of Ridgefield and Compass Oncology. Donations are welcome online or in person at the festival.

Also read:
- POLL: Did the Clark County Council make the right decision by rejecting the auditor authority proposal?The 3-2 council vote rejected giving the auditor’s office power to write financial impact statements for ballot measures.
- Low sockeye salmon returns lead to fishery changes in the Columbia RiverWDFW projects sockeye returns to Bonneville Dam at less than half the pre-season forecast of 275,000 fish.
- WA employers added jobs in May, but unemployment rate stayed stuck at 5.2%Washington added 10,600 jobs in May — its best month this year — yet unemployment held at 5.2%, up from 4.5% a year ago.
- Opinion: Hospital price transparency is good, but its impact will be limitedWashington still shields hospitals from competition through certificate-of-need laws other states have repealed.
- Evergreen Public Schools and Teachers Union agree to a five-year contractEvergreen Public Schools reached a five-year deal with its teachers union, covering 22,000 students across 38 Vancouver schools.
- Vancouver amends municipal code, banning pedestrians from staying on traffic islands, mediansVancouver’s new ordinance targets people who remain on medians, not those crossing legally at crosswalks.
- Tri-County SAR Teams conduct joint training exercise to enhance emergency
response readinessSix Southwest Washington SAR teams trained together in a simulated aircraft crash requiring day and nighttime rescue operations.







