What is Dragon Boat Racing?
Named for boats adorned with elaborate dragon heads and tails, the sport dates back more than 2,000 years. According to Chinese legend, patriot poet Qu Yuan threw himself into the Mi Lo River after being exiled from his native land. The local fishermen, upon learning of his suicide, paddled into the river banging on drums to keep the dragons from eating Yuan’s body. Today, the sport involves a 22-member crew – 20 paddlers, a drummer in the bow and a sweep, who steers, in the stern. Races are short – between 250 and 1,000 meters. Dragon boat racing will be a possible exhibition sport at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. For information about the Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Club, visit www.tampabaydragonboats.com or contact Christine Boudreau at 471-1548 or info@tampabaydragonboats.
