What is Dragon Boat Racing and Why is it coming to Punta Gorda this April 23?

Dragon Boat Racing dates back over 2000 years to the Chinese legend of Qu Yuan, a 4th-century statesman, poet, and advisor to the king.   Qu Yuan was exiled to a remote area of Hunan Province in southern China after giving advice to the King that was misinterpreted as self-serving. Dishonored and ashamed, he threw himself into the Milou River, and saved by fishermen who wildly beat their drums and splashed the water with their paddles to prevent the water dragons and fish from eating Qu Yuan.

In modern day China, Dragon Boat Racing  is based upon a re-enactment of the race to save Qu Yuan. And Dragon Boat Racing is one of  fastest-growing water sports in the world.  The World Championships of Dragon Boat Racing have been held annually in Hong Kong since 1976.  In 1991, the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) was formed.   Based in Hong Kong, theIDBF boasts over 100 member organizations in more than 40 countries. Since 1995, World Championship events have been awarded to Canada, China, New Zealand, England, Australia and the United States.

Because people of various fitness levels can participate, the activity has become one that corporations and local groups have become involved with, encouraging local clubs, businesses, etc. to form teams and participate in the race.  It  is a team sport, 20 people paddle the 40' long dragon boat 400 meters (in approximately 2 ½ minutes!) to a fast and furious finish. 


And starting this year, dragon boat racing is coming to Punta Gorda.  The Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and the Charlotte Harbor Paddlers, a local dragon boat club, plan to make this fun activity an annual event showcasing Punta Gorda's waterfront and  a water sport in which co-ed teams of all ages can join in. In  addition to being  fun sporting event, it will support a charity right here in Punta Gorda.

Particulars: 

An SRDBA points race, bringing Dragon Boat paddlers from all over the state of Florida and beyond. 

Racing starts: Saturday, April 23, 2011 - 9 AM (Awards ceremony at the end of the racing around 3 p.m.)

Where: Laishley Park in downtown Punta Gorda. 

Registration due; by April 1, 2011
Other: Music by Cheeky Monkey at 3:30 p.m., Food and Libations 

To learn more about participating in this event see information on the chamber's website.