Boat on the Severn River during a partial solar eclipse at sunrise
After staying out of the boats for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we returned to the water!
We kicked off the 2021 season with two special paddles.
Our first paddle of the season occurred on May 25, 2021, when we enjoyed watching the Blue Angels fly over Annapolis from the water.
A few weeks later, on June 10, we paddled into the Severn river at 5:30 a.m. ET to watch an incredible celestial event — a partial solar eclipse at sunrise. Devoid of its usual boat traffic, the river was unusually calm and peaceful. A great blue heron flew right in front of us as ospreys soared overhead.
We reached the mouth of Severn River a few minutes before sunrise. The few clouds in the sky reflected beautiful pink and orange hues as the eclipse-occluded rising sun rolled back the purple twilight. We placed our paddles in the boat and floated in place as the gentle swells of the river lapped at the hull.
Coach Peter distributed eclipse glasses for us to share as he steered us into place for a viewing that can only be described as breathtaking and visceral.
It was an incredible way to start the day and the 2021 dragon boat season!
