Opinions on which are the key festivals to attend in 2006 aside from CCWC which many of can't be part of anyway?

Base your replies on price, organization, which big crews show up usually and course fairness. Can be either East, West or US based.

Pickering,Toronto or Ottawa, and Montreal.
The teams that qualified should coordinate there races so they meet in 3 of them for the best competition leading up to WCCC.

I say forget the Islands, boycott that damn event.Its a cash cow. They charge to much and dont give enough back to the competitors.Try and meet at the other events.

Alcan in Vancouver, a must-do event for every paddler.

If you're from the East, you'll never look at another festival the same way again. Strong teams, 8 lanes, salt water and huge crowds. Not cheap but worth every penny.

only thing w/ alcan is you need to be able to adapt to different style boats 6-16 & gemini . Who knows we may also see BUK's next yr as well as BC just got a bunch of them .

It is a tough race though w/ some very good teams and big mens and womens divisions as well

Kelowna but the big teams are usually geared down somewhat for this event but competiton is still tough

Calgary has 1 of the best courses and awards are the best

Edmonton is advertising a $10,000 purse next yr to attract the teams .I imagine if its true the competiton will be tough w/ ringer teams thrown in .Same weekend as the clubs though I hear .

NYC Hong Kong Dragon Boat
2 day event
250m, 500m, 1000m
$50k in total prizes
Crazy Lanes, color water
Good Competition
750 USD entrance fee, but any Canadian B through D finalist can earn their entrance fee back and more
Is actually getting better every year.

other pluses:

The city never sleeps
Bars and clubs open all night long
sex in the city