History
The legend of the dragon boat springs from the centuries-old tale of Qu Yan, an advisor to the Emperor in the Chinese Kingdom of Chu. Qu Yan was falsely accused of treason by his political rivals, and he was banished for his “disloyalty.” Filled with despair — and, perhaps, as a final protest — Qu Yan threw himself into the Mi Lo River and drowned.
His supporters raced their boats from the shore and unsuccessfully tried to recover his body. Many believed that Qu Yan became a water spirit, surrounded by dragons, who are the lords of all the forms of water. The Chinese people never forgot his heroic act, and the racing of dragon boats became a way to honor him. From these beginnings, the sport of dragon boat racing was born.
Festivals
Today, dragon boat racing is a global phenomenon. Festivals are held all over the world, from local and regional regattas to international competitions. The International Dragon Boat Federation establishes the standards for modern dragon boat racing.
Breast cancer survivors
The sport is particularly powerful among breast cancer survivors, thanks to the revolutionary research of sports doctor Don McKenzie (3-page PDF) in the 1990s. Today, breast cancer survivors across the world participate in the sport.
Dragon boating has many benefits for those who are recovering after breast cancer treatment, including:
- Reducing lymphedema;
- Increasing strength and stamina; and
- Providing a support group, among others.
Every four years, this bond is jubilantly celebrated at a festival organized by the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission.
We participated in the Commission’s international festivals in Florida in 2014 and Italy in 2018. And we are going to New Zealand in 2023!
About the boat
Our Club has two dragon boats. Each boat weighs about 650 pounds. They are 48 feet long from head to tail, 4 feet wide at the middle, and 8 inches wide at the bow and stern. During races and festivals, we attach the colorful dragon head and tail.
There are 22 team members on a full dragon boat:
- 1 drummer in the front to keep the pace
- 1 steersperson in the back to control the boat
- 20 paddlers (10 rows of 2)
The whole boat keys off the front right paddler, the stroke. The front three rows of paddlers are called the stroke seats. The middle four rows are called the engine room. The back three rows are the jets.