What is Dragon Boat Racing?

Dragon boating is a fun-filled, adrenaline pumping, water sports activity. Teams compete in Dragon Boats, which are large canoe-like vessels fitted with ornately carved dragon's heads and tails.

Crews of up to 16 people sit in pairs and paddle to compete in races over distances of around 250m. Each boat has a drummer beating time to keep the paddlers in unison, and a professional helmsperson in the stern to guide the boat.

Originating in ancient China, Dragon Boat Racing is now the fastest growing water sport in the world and a favourite among charities and corporations for its fundraising and team-building benefits.

Who can take part?

Dragon boating truly is the ultimate sport for all abilities and no previous experience is required as full training will be given on the day.

From a safety perspective we must ask that a minimum age of 12 years old is observed but apart from this; if you can hold a paddle and sit in a boat you can take part.

It’s so popular even Prince William and Kate Middleton have had a go. Kate is a former member of the Sisterhood boat crew, and she raced against Prince William during a trip to Canada!

History

Dragon boat racing began more than 2000 years ago on the banks of the life-sustaining rivers in the valleys of southern China as a fertility ritual thought to bring good luck to the coming crop season.

Over the years a second story was introduced to give the festival a dual meaning. Legend has it that Qu Yuan, a great warrior and poet threw himself in the river Mi Lo, as a protest against the political corruption of the day. The people loved Qu Yuan very much and raced out in their fishing boats to the middle of the river in a vain attempt to save him. They beat on drums and splashed their oars in the water, trying to keep away the dragons that occupied the rivers.