What is Dragon Boat Racing?
Dragon boat racing is a water sport and recreational activity that originated in ancient China. It involves paddling a long, narrow boat with rowers on each side of the boat.
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Dragon boat racing |
The boats are made of light wood, usually in the form of a dragon's head and tail. The paddlers use their strength to propel the boats to speeds over 6 knots (12 km/h; 8 mph) for competition races.
Dragon Boat Festival
Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese festival that is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. It commemorates Qu Yuan, a patriotic poet from the Warring States period.
Dragon Boat Festival is also known as Duanwu Festival, and it falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. It’s one of China's four major traditional festivals, along with Lunar New Year, Lantern Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.
Why do they race dragon boats?
On the banks of the rivers that nourish life, in the valleys of southern China, dragon boat racing first appeared more than 2000 years ago as a fertility rite that was considered to bring luck to the upcoming agricultural season.
How long is a dragon boat race?
Festival races are often short sprints, with 500 meters being the most popular distance. In international competition, races lasting 200, 1000, and 2000 meters are other common distances.
Benefits of dragon boat racing
Dragon boating has many benefits in the form of social inclusion, physical fitness and mental health. The Dragon Boat is open to all fitness levels and allows you to gradually improve your fitness. A full-body workout that improves cardio, endurance, stamina, and coordination.
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Dragon Boat Racing |
Dragon boat vs Crew
What are the positions in dragon boat?
22 people make up the crew of a conventional dragon boat: 20 paddlers facing the bow in pairs, one drummer or caller standing at the bow facing the paddlers, and one steerer standing at the back of the boat.
Steersperson
The person who steers a dragon boat is called a Steersperson. He or she located at the stern of the boat who steers and gives commands to the crew, preferably someone with sailing or boating experience. To learn how to steer a dragon boat, you must practice at least two times.
What does a dragon boat drummer do?
Drummers play an important role in the Dragon Boat Team. He or she is the "heartbeat" or "drumbeat" of the team. The role of the drummer is functional. The drummer sits at the front of the boat and helps the steersperson/coach communicate with the crew by relaying commands to the front of the boat.
How long is a 20-person dragon boat?
The Dragon Boat is a racing craft with a length of 12.40 meters and a width of 1.16 meters. The Standard boat seats 20 paddlers in pairs side by side, a sweep (steerer), and a drummer when racing. The boat weighs some 250 kg.
