We enclose the following update for you on all the amazing comings and going that will be happening in Vancouver July 25-31st 2011. With a Human Rights Conference, 18 sports offered, and many cultural and social events all happening the same week as Vancouver’s Pride celebrations, there is sure to be an event that fits your interest!
Stay tuned for the upcoming POP Tour, details to follow!
SPORTS:
Walk
Sign up for a 4 km or 10 km walk at Stanley Park, (this is not a power walk competition). Enjoy the mountain and ocean view walk on a paved surface. Hosted by Vancouver Frontrunners Club, the 7th Annual Pride Run & Walk will morph into the 10K Run and 4K Walk events during Outgames on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 9am. Both events will start and end at Lumberman's Arch and take runners and walkers along scenic routes in world famous Stanley Park. As in previous years, this Run/Walk event will continue to be a fundraiser for the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, an organization that provides a Day Health program and a 24-hour nursing care Residence. Note that there is a 200-participant limit so please register soon to secure your spot.
Dragon Boating
If you wanted to try out dragon boating, one of the fastest growing team water sport, this is the time to do it. A lesson will be provided in preparation for a 200 metre race. Each boat holds ten paddlers. Gather your friends and your team-mates for a fun event in the downtown harbour. If you’re an individual or your team doesn’t have enough paddlers, we’ll arrange for drop-ins!
Poker Join us at Vancouver’s hottest Poker Room for the Outgames Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament. Kick off is Tuesday, July 26 where you have an option to get a one hour poker lessons or if you’re already a pro just pick up your seat assignment. The real fun starts during the first round of play, you pick either Wednesday, July 27 or Thursday, July 28. Play down to the winners for the big money is Friday July 29. The poker fee is now $125. The prize pool is $22,000 if sold out at 220 players!
Edgewater Casino has 500 state of the art slot machines to choose from and a variety of table games such as blackjack, roulette and baccarat. For more serious players, the High Limit Room is the place to take your game to the next level. Edgewater also boasts the only poker room in Vancouver.
Soccer
There will be teams from all across North America including San Francisco, Long Beach, Seattle, and New York! Athletes will be playing for the IGLFA North America cup. There are different levels in the men’s and women’s divisions. Spots are still available for your team to enter!
Ten Pin Bowling
Ten Pin Bowling runs for 4 days and is broken into two categories – league tournament and social tournament. You can play as singles, doubles or teams.
Badminton Preparations are underway for a great badminton tournament! We have just secured a fantastic venue at the Roundhouse Community Center. With four courts and great high ceilings, it is a great Badminton venue. It is in the trendy Yaletown area of Vancouver - down on the waterfront with great restaurants, a gorgeous seawall to walk along and lots to see and do.
With the 4 courts, the tournament entry will fill up quick so secure your spot by registering early. There are three divisions of skill level (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced) each with the standard five events (Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles). Events and skill levels may be combined depending upon the entries received. As best as we can, we will match the skill levels of the players
Stay tuned for more information to be posted at the Badminton Page! We welcome already registered participants from Vancouver, Montreal, Southern Alberta, California and Australia.
Swimming
A contingent of swimmers from Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto will be setting the stage for a strong Canadian showing at the swim meet. Space is available for competitors from outside Canada to come and give the Canadians a run for their money!
Softball
Play softball during the Vancouver 2011 Outgames! The Softball tournament will be held Wed July 27 to Friday July 29 at the world renown Softball City in Surrey. The tournament has divisions for recreational and competitive players, and there is recreational women's division. NAGAAA rules apply. Join as an individual or a team. If joining as an individual, you will be placed on a team of a similar calibre.
Dance Sport
Country & Western, cha-cha, swing, line dancing, waltz, and tango are some of the events organized during the 2 day Vancouver Queer Dance Classic during the Outgames. Couples from Montreal, Germany, New Mexico have registered and will be vying for the dancing title!
Volleyball
Teams from Toronto and Houston are getting ready for a three day volleyball tournament at the Harry Jerome Sports Centre. With a maximum capacity of 96 teams, the tournament is spread over 6 days. Two women’s and four men’s divisions are available. With the high ceilings and synthetic flooring, this is a great venue to play volleyball. This event marks the beginning of the Volleyball Cup, which will follow future GLISA Outgames events. Produced by Volleyball BC.
There is still space available in each division; however, once capacity is reached the event will be sold out. Come join us for one of the most popular sports as either a participant or spectator. All spectators are welcome free of charge. For more information please check out the website. http://vancouver2011outgames.com/Volleyball.html
Tennis
The Vancouver International Pride (VIP) tennis tournament has taken on an international flavour as players from Australia, Canada, Germany and USA have registered to play in this six day tournament. Singles, doubles and mixed events are offered. There are 5 skill levels. The event will likely be moved to a more convenient location in downtown Vancouver. More information will be provided on the tennis web page.
Alpine Marathon and Half-Marathon
Runners from New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles are picking up their training as they prepare for the alpine marathon and half marathon taking place in North America’s biggest ski resort at Whistler, B.C., home of the 2011 Winter Olympics.
Running
A record number of runners have pre-registered for the 10k run walk. Participants from Ottawa, Germany, New York, Texas, and Wales will appreciate the scenic course around Stanley Park.
Track & Field
The event schedule will be posted on the track and field page shortly. Competitors from Edmonton, New York, Houston, Indiana, North Carolina, London, and Vancouver have set their eyes on a medal winning performance!
Golf
Golf has been moved to the Langara Golf Course in Vancouver. It is easily accessible by light rapid transit. The event is scheduled for July 25 and 27. The fee is expected to be approx. $170. Final confirmation is expected at the beginning of April. Built in 1926, this course was redesigned by Canadian architect Thomas McBroom, and now features top notch greens, well protected by bunkers. The large rolling greens make scoring a challenge and with its narrow fairways, accuracy off the tee is paramount. The contoured, tree-lined fairways are easy to walk and make this challenging par 71 course appealing to players of all levels.
The Early Bird Registration Rate has been extended through to the end of April.
To find our more about the human Rights Conference, the 18 sports, and the week-long culture activities during the Vancouver Outgames, Visit http://www.vancouver2011outgames.com. For regular updates on all the amazing events happening during the Games visit our Facebook page at: http://facebook.com/OFFICIALVancouver2011Outgames (or) twitter: http://twitter.com/2011NA_Outgames 