California Travel Tips
Dragon Boat Races
Published on: July 09, 2013
Dragon boats in the simplest terms are long boats embellished with dragon head and tail designs. For more than 2,000 years dragon boats have existed in China, popularly used for team paddling and competition. In California dragon boat racing is not a very large sport by the numbers, but there are a handful of clubs throughout the state that travel and compete both in California and regionally in Washington, Canada and other places that host events.
About dragon boat racing in California:
- Usually 20 paddlers in pairs facing toward the bow of the boat, plus 1 drummer or caller at the bow facing toward the paddlers, and 1 sweep (a steerer) at the rear of the boat.
- Components to dragon boat stroke cycle include release and catch, pull, releases and recovery.
- The first international dragon boat festival in the western hemisphere was held in San Diego in 1983.
- United States Dragon Boat Federation is the governing body that most California races are affiliated with.
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