Esca’s 2014 Paddle for Cancer Dragon Boat Festival will be held on 31 August on the shores of the Lac de Joux in l’Abbaye. 
This is a high energy event (most of all for the competitors) who paddle furiously around this beautiful lake. The first race starts at 09.20 and there’s one every 10 throughout the day which ends at 17.30 after the prize-giving. There are some very high profile teams under starter’s orders this year. Medtronic, IMD, the Beau Rivage Palace, MCI, Bunge and Eaton to name a few.
There is a kids race – mini regatta (places are still available and you can register online). And if you want your kids to do more than spectate they can clamber into a canoe and enjoy a free ride along the shoreline.
This event is nothing if refreshingly quirky. There are various stands with food and drink, books and intriguingly, a silent auction offering an eclectic selection of great deals ranging from holiday cottages to therapies.
Organised by the English speaking cancer association (esca), the Dragon Boat Festival is its annual cancer awareness raising and fundraising event. If you can’t make it on the day then you can still bid at the auction or even better donate at www.paddleforcancer.ch. But do go. The atmosphere is light-hearted and this popular event has all the makings for a great excursion à deux, with friends or for the family. Getting there is easy. There’s plenty of parking and public transport takes just over an hour from Lausanne and 90 minutes from Geneva.
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