A dragon boat is a very long and narrow canoe-style human-powered boat that is now used in the team paddling sport of dragon boat racing which originated in China.
Dragon boating has a rich fabric of ancient ceremonial, ritualistic and religious traditions.
The use of dragon boats for racing are believed to have originated in southern central China more than 2,500 years ago along the banks of such iconic rivers as the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) during the same era when the games of ancient Greece were being established at Olympia.
Dragon boat racing as the basis for annual water rituals and festival celebrations, and for the traditional veneration of the Asian dragon water deity, has been practised continuously since this period.
The celebration is an important part of ancient agricultural Chinese society, celebrating the summer rice harvest. Where there were rice paddies, so were there dragon boats.
While competition has taken place annually for more than 20 centuries as part of folk ritual, it emerged in modern times as an international sport in Hong Kong in 1976. Like running, horse racing and marksmanship, the racing of dragon boats is among mankind’s oldest organised competitions.
Source: Wikipedia
Hervey Bay Dragons paddle at 4pm Wednesdays, 4pm Saturdays and 9am Sunday mornings.
Dragon Boat paddling is suitable for all ages and is a great way to get fit. Every part of you body gets a good overall workout, including your smile muscles, and it beats spending hours in the gym.
It is safe for kids and a perfect sport for the ladies, building upper body strength and reducing waistlines while paddling around the pristine waters of Hervey Bay. Come alone and join us or bring the family for a Sunday morning on the water.
Hervey Bay Dragons will 'perfect the art' of paddling for a minimum period of 12 months, allowing time to build the fitness and skill levels required for competitive racing, before entering in Dragon Boat Regattas.
Expressions of interest are invited by contacting us on one of the options below with your contact details.
Rachel Young: 0438159374
