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FCRCC & the Olympic Torch Relay

After covering 45,000 Km across Canada, the Olympic flame will be crossing the waters of False Creek on its final journey to BC Place for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The next-to-last leg of the Torch Relay, on February 12th, will be from Granville Island to Yaletown, escorted by a flotilla of Dragon Boats & Outriggers!

That a final-day leg of the Winter Olympic Torch Relay is on the water is a recognition of the importance which paddle sports have in many parts of Canada, especially in & around Vancouver and the Lower Mainland ... even in Winter!

That the leg is on False Creek is recognition of how many people see the Creek as the central hub of their training & racing & simple recreational-paddling activites - not just FCRRC, but all the other clubs & groups & individuals using it too.

(... and too, of how much the Creek has changed over the 25 years since 1985, the year of FCRCC's birth ...)

  • At 12:59 PM on February 12th, departing from the FC Ferry dock at the West end of Granville Island, the Torch will be carried in a Dragon Boat and a Voyageur Canoe to the Yaletown dock at the Quayside Marina, arriving at 1:37 PM.  Full details & map here, and in the Vancouver2010 Interactive map (go to Day 106 & select Vancouver)
  • Hugh Fisher, one of FCRCC's founders, and Kamini Jain, Head Coach of FCRCC's High Performance Dragon Boat Team, both former Olympians representing Canada, have been honoured by being chosen as Torch Bearers for the False Creek leg

So let's all get out to cheer the Torch's final voyage, and raise a hand in salute to Kamini & Hugh.

  • Suggested viewing points are Granville Island, the Granville Street Bridge, the North Seawall from the False Creek Yacht Club through David Lam Park & on to the Quayside Marina, the South Seawall from the live-aboard marina up to Heather Civic Marina, and Monk's deck.

Feb 7: it was thought that the Cambie Street Bridge would be good viewpoint, too - but we've recently been advised (by official Security personnel) that the bridge will be closed, to all vehicle & pedestrian traffic, from ~Noon until after midnight.  While there is other info elsewhere which says pedestrians will be allowed to use the bridge during the closure - it's probably wise not to count on it.

  • Eager to absorb all the Olympic spirit of the final day?  Come down to Granville Island earlier, and follow the torch as it makes its way through the streets before crossing the water (see the map for full details of the two days - 105 & 106 - that the Torch is in the city)

Two cautions:

  • Boat traffic (including canoes, kayaks, etc.) will be extremely restricted during this time!

... taking out your own boat (or one of the Club's OCs or Marathons or K/C-1s) to view the Torch Relay will likely result in being turned away and missing the view you can get from on-land viewpoints

  • Make sure you allow yourself lots of time to get there, and don't plan on parking on or anywhere near GI either (see News item for more on those topics)