Lotus Sports Club

February 2026: Month of Love

Communications Officer — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 20:00:46 +0000

Team at Lotus V12 Icebreaker race. Photo by Tiffany M.

I love, love, love paddling, don’t you? The open waters, the ocean smell, the feeling of the watercraft surging and gliding. It’s so much more satisfying than running, right? Anyway, here are the highlights for February:

Another Icebreaker Success!
Outrigger Season Opener with Greg
Recap ERG Workshop & Upcoming Events
Rapid Fire with Elson Kung: Membership Officer
Reminders!

Another Icebreaker Success!

Big thanks Tara, our amazing Race Organizer who handled all the logistics and kept communication flowing with the teams. Special thanks to Grace, Val, and Steve for their many efforts in making the Ice Breaker happen! Thank you to the racers, volunteers, and everyone involved. It’s amazing what we can accomplish as a community.

If you haven’t heard, $1,920 will be donated to charities on behalf of the racers this year from the Icebreaker event!

➡️ More Icebreaker highlights and sentiments here.

Outrigger Season Opener with Greg ☕️

Lotus members! We’re kicking off the season with a casual chit chat session this Saturday.

When: February 21, 2026 (10:30AM, after practice)
What: Greg will be going over the upcoming race season, practice times, coaching plans, and what to expect in the months ahead. It’s a great chance to ask questions, share ideas, and get excited about what’s coming. There may be snacks!

Recap ERG Workshop & Upcoming Events

Ayden demonstrating how to use the ERG.

We had two insightful ERG (Ergometer) sessions with Ayden in January, giving paddlers a chance to explore different paddling styles and the opportunity for dryland training. Thank you Ayden, Tara and Grace for the pointers.

Just like in life, there’s more than one way to do things — and paddling is no different. The key is to observe, experiment, and find what works best for you and your crew.

Looking for more to do? Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Paddle Repair Workshop with Steve

When: April 4, 2026 (11AM, after practice)
What: Ever wonder how to maintain and repair your paddle? Join Steve on April 4th to learn how!

Lotus Spring Maintenance

When: April 11, 2026 (11AM, after practice)
What: Come help Lotus prepare for the spring season – cleaning, repairing, and whatever else needs a little care around the clubhouse. The more hands, the quicker it will be!

(I have to stress “after practice” because us newbies thought it was a full morning of maintenance last year and did not dress for practice…)

Rapid Fire with Elson Kung: Membership Officer

How long have you been part of the Lotus family and how did you get involved?

This is my second year but it will be my first full season! I joined in January 2025 because Tiffany and I needed to train for our 30km canoe leg of the Sea to Ski team relay.

What’s your most memorable race and why?

The V12 to V21 race in Victoria that just happened. It was my first away OC race. I loved the company on the trip and it felt great to beat all but one Team Canada boat in our heat! Bonus: learning to keep score at darts.

What do you love about being a Lotus Club member?

I love being a part of a club with my partner, in a sport that’s near and dear to her. What better way to connect to the past of your loved one.

What new ideas do you have for growing and maintaining a better number of Burnaby members?

I would like to get 100 Burnaby residents to attend an open house this summer. The club is supported by the City of Burnaby and growing Burnaby memberships helps us serve Burnaby residents better. I am looking for volunteers to plaster the city’s health and wellness facilities and businesses with Lotus posters and flyers!

Is there a question you want to ask the next board member? (Maintenance)

Maintenance is essential, yet it’s unseen and underappreciated. What keeps Steve motivated?

Reminders!

We’re taking race jersey orders and membership renewals. Reach out to board members if you’d like to get your race jersey order in! We’ll be using the same beautiful design as last year.

Stay Connected

We are on Instagram and Facebook. Don’t forget to follow us, like us, and share your thoughts with us!

January 2026: Warming up for the New Race Season

Communications Officer — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 02:00:03 +0000

Lotus Practice on New Year’s Eve, Photo courtesy of Rob V.

Welcome to 2026! We are kicking off the year with incredible energy and a packed calendar. Whether you are looking to test your limits in a race, support your club behind the scenes, or simply enjoy the winter waters safely, there is something for everyone this January. Also, don’t forget to check out Greg’s answers ⤵️ to our rapid fire questions.

Introducing your Board of Directors
2026 CORA Race Schedule & Sign-Ups
Volunteer: We Need You!
Safety First: Winter Wisdom
Rapid Fire with Greg Bodin: Outrigger & Safety Officer
What’s Next?

Introducing your Board of Directors

First, we extend a huge thank you to all our former leaders for their incredible service and passion, and are thrilled to introduce your dedicated 2025-2026 Board of Directors!

President – Caroline Dagg
Past-President & Secretary – Tony Vukasovic
Vice-President – Ayden Mikita
Treasurer – Marcus Milde
Membership – Elson Kung
Outrigger & Safety Program – Greg Bodin
Youth Program – Tyler Lee
SUP Program – Kate Zubick
Maintenance – Steve Pither
Burnaby Liaison – Tara Loo
Social Media – Mika Asano
Communications – Tiffany Mark

2026 CORA Race Schedule & Sign-Ups

The 2026 CORA Race Schedule has been released! You can view the full list of regional events here.

We are thrilled to host three major events right here in Burnaby:

January 31, 2026: Lotus IceBreaker V12 Race (OC12)
July 25, 2026: Lotus Iron (CORA Cup, OC6)
September 12, 2026: Lotus Poker Paddle Race (OC6)

How to get involved

Head to the clubhouse and check the Lotus Race Binder on the main table. Sign up to indicate your interest in specific races. Once there’s enough interest, talk to your fellow paddlers to form a team as soon as you can. Then speak with the Board to coordinate canoe usage and transportation.

➡️ For more info, see pages 23-24 of the Lotus Handbook on Races.

Volunteer: We Need You!

Our home races are 100% volunteer-run, and their success depends on our amazing members. If you plan to race in a Lotus home event, we ask that you volunteer for the full day.

We have roles for everyone:

On Shore: Setup, registration, timing, and cleanup.
On Water: Marshalling and safety boat support.
Creative: Photography or bring food to share with volunteers!

Sign-up sheets are at the clubhouse. If you have questions, reach out to your coach or any board member. Let’s show the paddling community our Lotus spirit!

Safety First: Winter Wisdom

As we embrace the colder months, safety and equipment care are our top priorities. Here are a few reminders from Greg, Our Safety Officer:

Layer Up: Please wear appropriate moisture-wicking layers and inclement weather gear. If you’re short on gear, check the “lost and found” bins for usable items!
Watch the Equipment: Be extra mindful when moving the coach boat or maneuvering around the racks. Our small canoes (both club and privately owned) are delicate—please ensure they aren’t bumped or moved without consent.
Speak Up: If you see a teammate who looks underdressed for the cold or notice a safety hazard, use your voice! We look out for one another.

➡️ Want a refresher? Read pages 7-10 of the Lotus Handbook for Winter Paddling and Safety Protocols.

Rapid Fire with Greg Bodin: Outrigger & Safety Officer

How long have you been part of the Lotus family and how did you get involved?
I joined Lotus in October of 2014, along with Tara. Tara was a paddler in years past and we both felt the tug of being on the water. I had always kayaked or canoed, owned both, and with quitting Oldtimers rugby needed something competitive to replace it.

What’s your most memorable race and why?
My most memorable race is the 2018 Napali Challenge as it saw 16 Lotus paddlers partake in a grueling 60 km change race. We had one full 12 person Lotus team, and four of us old guys joined up with folks from Oahu to forge another team. Such a crazy challenge for all, and great togetherness and Ohana was shared.

What do you love about being a Lotus Club member?
Lotus is the epitome of club Ohana. Though we have had struggles we are always there for the paddling community within the club and within CORA. We host the best races at the best location! LOTUS people are the best!

What is the one piece of winter gear you think is a total game-changer for someone paddling in the winter?
Goretex waterproof pants with booties! A life saver in a huli, and I have huli’d in the winter so I know.

Is there a question you want to ask the next featured board member (Membership)?
Hmm…this is one of the most important jobs on the board. So much rides on promoting our club within Burnaby, so I guess a query is: have you new ideas on how we can grow and maintain a better number of Burnaby members?

What’s Next?

Can’t wait to hear from our Membership Officer next month! Plus, mark your calendars for our Season Opening on February 21! Stay tuned for more.

Pssst…Are You On Social?

We are! Lotus is on Instagram and Facebook. Don’t forget to follow us, like us, and share your thoughts with us!