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travel / adventure zone
| The Adventure Zone |
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In the Belly of the Dragon
It may not be the year dragon but it is the season of the dragon boat. This ancient Chinese
sport has captured the minds and muscles of participants everywhere. Outside Canada, more than
two million paddlers are competing in more than 50 countries. At home, some 1,000 teams are hitting
the water in races each year.
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Steeped in history, dragon boat racing reenacts the 4th-century Chinese legend of poet Qu Yan,
who jumped into the Mei Lo River in protest against governmental corruption in his home state.
Local fishermen recognizing their heros act of self-sacrifice raced to his rescue, a symbol of
community cooperation and support, which is recreated each time a dragon boat advances to the
finish line.
The flat-bottomed dugout-style boat measures 40 feet in length and holds 20 paddlers, plus a
drummer to establish the paddling rhythm and a steersperson to keep the craft on course.
Unlike recreational paddling, there is nothing leisurely about dragon boating. Rather, it
requires a powerful stroke driven by the entire upper trunk as the paddler reaches and pulls
big water in a synchronous, rhythmic pace with 19 other team members over the 500- to 600-metre course.
Despite the physical demands, the sport is no less exhilirating. Festivals maintain the fun atmosphere
by requiring mixed-gender teams of both recreational and elite calibre and guaranteeing at least two
qualifying races.
Some half-dozen significant festivals have been scheduled for September. Many serve as fundraisers
for local and national charities and most welcome pick-up teams by offering practice time and
information kits as part of the registration fee. Raising more than $500,000 for charity in eight years,
the Great White North Dragon Boat Festival, which is the premiere event in the East, will attract
150 boats and thousands of onlookers on September 7 and 8 at Ontario Place in Toronto. In the West,
the Regina Dragon Boat Race, which has been dubbed the fastest growing community event in Saskatchewan,
takes place on Labour Day weekend.
For dates and details of September festivals, check out the following links:
Barrie Dragon Boat Festival
Carleton Place Dragon Boat Festival
Great White North Dragon Boat Challenge
Kelowna Dragon Boat Festival or www.sportskelowna.com/kelownadragonboats/
Kingston Dragon Boat Festival
Regina Dragon Boat Race
Stratford Rotary Dragon Boat Festival
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