Dragon Boat Races
Dragon boat racing is the fastest growing team sport in the United States, and boasts over 50 million annual participants worldwide. The sport is over 2400 years old. We race canoes 46 feet long paddled by twenty (20) people, with a steersman, and a drummer. Boats are intricately carved and colorfully decorated with the head and tail of a dragon. Many cities in the United States have Dragon Boat Clubs and hold competitions that are often International in scope.
Pateros Apple Pie Jamboree will host this 1 day event on Saturday of Jamboree weekend, with practice held during the week before. Each team is required to attend at least one practice session. There will be two courses -- a 250 meter and a 500 meter. Races will he held on Lake Pateros (Columbia River). All equipment, steersman, and training sessions will be provided. Life jackets will be worn during each race.
Your team must have between 21-25 participants. 21 team members will be in the boat at one time - 20 to paddle and 1 to drum. We encourage you to use all of your team members throughout the day-everyone should paddle once! Usually the smallest person is the drummer, they provide less wind-resistance. Drummers still need to be at practices. A certified steersman will be assigned to your team.
Community team registration is $500, which includes advertising in the Apple Pie Jamboree Dragon Boat Races Magazine and local newspaper. Deadline for magazine entry will be announced next year. Individuals can register for $25 each.
We encourage YOU to challenge other friends, family, towns, businesses, and organizations to put together a team to race. This is not only a fun event, but also an excellent team building experience that people of all ages can participate and excel in. Mixed teams should have at least eight (8) females on the team.
So start forming your team now! We are limited to 28 teams, so teams will be accepted on a first come basis.
For more information contact Joni Parks at 509/670-8185, or e-mail heraldads@qcherald.com / jlparks@genext.net.
Registration Forms will be available online in 2010.
