Dragon Boating: What IS That?

If you weren’t born with a dragon boat paddle in your hand, or into a family of dragon boaters, chances are when you heard about it or became involved in this world of sport, community, and fun, you didn’t know a lot about it. There is so much more to it than just a great day on the water.

There are different and contrasting ways you might get introduced to the sport: a festival/race or regatta, through a club team, or because some crazy brave soul saw one docked and decided to take it out for a spin. No matter how you got involved, you love it.

What exactly is it?

There are different dragon boat manufacturers out there. Traditional Hong Kong-style dragon boats are about 41’ long, with 10 seats where 20 people fit. A drum seat in front of the first two paddlers (seated beside each other) holds a drummer—you want the smallest, loudest, most rhythmic person you can find. A steersperson guides with the steering oar in back. These 22 people make up a dragon boat team.

The stroke is unlike any other (the most similar is outrigger canoe). Practice sessions are recommended for teams competing.

What is the catch?

Except for the catch actually being a step in the stroke technique, dragon boat participants are passionate about this sport. People love it—the thrill, the teamwork, the adrenaline, the sore rears, everything. It makes for great exercise and interaction through a special bond. You are drawn to this sport, to each other in a setting that exemplifies human connectivity on a level comparable to nothing else.

People who never thought of themselves as athletes can thrive in a dragon boat. People who are athletes discover a challenging alternative to general sports.

One family of dragon boaters who are connected on a level that changed their lives is growing in numbers—the cancer survivor dragon boaters. Clubs made up of dragon boaters who are cancer survivors are forming regularly.

This movement began in 1996 when Dr. Donald McKenzie, a Canadian physician, wondered what would happen if he put 24 breast cancer survivors ranging in age from 31 to 62 years in a dragon boat. The idea of such vigorous upper body exercise in this population flew in the face of conventional medical wisdom.

Dr. McKenzie proved paddling in a dragon boat helped improve strength, flexibility, and overall well-being among these survivors. It also created a network for emotional support, information, and camaraderie.

Dragon Boat Festivals bring the teams and community together in a display of competition, culture, and excitement! They also can serve as successful fundraisers.

Details on festivals and other dragon boat related services are at www.racedragonboats.com.