DC Dragons
Intrepid paddlers, the DC Dragons have participated in competitions in different venues across the US, as well as internationally in Canada, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore. The Dragons medalled at the World Dragonboat Championships in Philadelphia, PA in 2001. In addition to shorter-distance sprints, the team also participated in a long-distance 4000m race in 2003. All members of NCAWPA are continually challenged to become top-level competitors in sprints, as well as endurance races. The Dragons are excited about the 2009 season, which includes travel to some new venues, and welcome interested paddlers to join us for a fun and competitive year!
Modern dragon boat racing
Today, dragon boat racing is held all over the world and is one of the fastest-growing international sports. Contemporary folk tradition commonly attributes dragon boat festival and racing to the commemoration of Qu Yuan, a scholar and kinsman of Huai Wang, the ruler of the state of Chu (China), who lived over 2000 year ago. Qu Yuan was a folk hero who he had drowned himself in the Miluo River in today's Hunan province, to protest political corruption. Beating drums and splashing the water furiously with their paddles, the boatmen raced into the river to save him, but failed. This event gave rise to modern forms of dragon boat racing.
A dragon boat is a very long and narrow canoe-style boat that is powered by a paddling crew. Though it is one of the oldest organized sporting competitions, the modern form of dragon boat racing emerged in Hong Kong in 1976. The standard crew of a contemporary dragon boat is usually comprised of 22 participants: 20 paddlers 1 drummer, and 1 tiller at the rear of the boat. Dragon boats vary by size and length and crew sizes can vary accordingly. Festival racing distances are normally over 200m, 250m, 500m, 1000m and 2000m, though there are also long-distance, endurance events that are held annually.