With the Sudbury Dragon Boat Festival roughly a month away, teams are beginning to gear up for the big day, most notably those crews with visions of cracking the top five or so on race day.

The SCC (Sudbury Canoe Club) Phoenix grouping are back again this year, after finishing second to the Old Chiro Dragons one year ago. With about 50% of the rowers new to the boat this year, the Phoenix will have their work cut out for them, holding off the likes of Rio and Dragon R Oars.

Team captain Ian McIvor suggests that while a solid base of paddling skill is obviously quite helpful, it really isn't necessarily the one key element that newcomers to the team require.

"Mostly, it's dedication and commitment to the team," said McIvor. "Some people come as participants in the Dragon Boat Festival, and they have been doing it for a number of years, and they want to take it to the next level."

"Some people are just from out of town. And we get some new people just interested in trying. It really varies." For years, the Phoenix were essentially the "second" of the SCC competitive dragon boat teams, not looking at the same time commitment nor success that Team Chiro achieved, but still looking to participate in the Sudbury Festival and perhaps one or two other events.

This year, the team is eyeing a return to the Great White North dragon boat races in Toronto in early September. With that in mind, it's time to get down to work. "The main thing that we have really been emphasizing since being back on the water is the technical ability - proper blade position, length of stroke, engaging the correct muscles," said McIvor.

"Now we are starting to build up endurance and strength. That is the focus as we head towards Sudbury, increasing the high intensity pieces." The 2015 Sudbury Dragon Boat Festival is set for July 11th at Bell Park.

A total of 57 teams were entered in 2014, as the Festival now moves forward for the 16th time, with the primary beneficiary of the fundraising event being the Northern Cancer Foundation, more specifically the Sam Bruno PET Scan Fund.