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A dragon-boat primer
By Michael Burke
RACINE - Very soon, more than 1,500 people will begin warming up their muscles for the second annual Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival.
With the event less than six weeks away, hundreds of participants will soon begin practicing with their team members.
Here are a few things to know about dragon boat racing and this year's festival, sponsored by Racine Rotary West: What are dragon boats? They are the largest flat-water racing canoes in the world. These traditional Hong Kong-style boats are decorated with dragon heads and tails.
A crew of 20 paddlers, paced by a drummer at the bow and guided by a steersman at the stern, combine power and rhythm to achieve acceleration and speed over a course of 400 or 500 meters.
When and where is the
festival? The Parade of Teams launches the event on the evening of July 8 on Pershing Drive.
How many teams and
people will participate? This year's festival has already grown by 50 percent from last year, when 42 teams competed. As of Wednesday, 63 teams were signed up.
With 25 people to a team - four are alternates - that totals 1,575 people.
Can I still join a team? The deadline has been extended, but only to June 14, when practices begin. People can sign up to be on a team via the Web site, http://www.midwestdragonboatfestival.com; by e-mailing
info@midwestdragonboatfestival.com; or by calling the festival hot-line, (262)632-0530.
How would I learn how to paddle in a dragon boat? Each team will get at least two one-hour practices. Each starts with instruction on land followed by actual practice in the water.
Moreover, two orientation seminars will be held for anyone involved, on June 7 and June 13 at St. Catherine's High School auditorium. Both start at 7 p.m.
What happens to the money teams pay to enter and that sponsors contribute? There are considerable expenses involved in putting together this festival. By far the biggest is hiring a Canadian company to come in with boats and run and time the races.
After all expenses, all money raised is used to support local projects. The current project will enhance the Rotary West Base Camp Pavilion at the Racine Zoo, so it can be used in foul weather. Past Rotary funds also paid for the pavilion.
Who else will benefit? The local American Red Cross chapter is this year's pledge partner. Paddlers are invited to collect pledges to raise money for Red Cross operations.
The top-pledging teams will receive trophies. Individual pledge-getters will compete for prizes including a kayak donated by Johnson Outdoors.
What is the Racine Dragon Boat Club? That club has been formed to allow people to paddle after the festival is finished, using a boat donated by Rotary West.
People can join with a full team or as an individual for $40 per person, or as a family for $75. Those fees include two one-hour sessions for a team or individual and four for a family.
For more information about the club, visit
http://www.racinedragonboatclub.org or call (262)995-7091.
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