Feel like a new challenge in your life … are you tired of going to the gym or pounding the pavements around Safa? Why not try Dragon Boat racing: a sport which is rapidly gaining in popularity in the region.
Last weekend saw Abu Dhabi host the 3rd annual Dragon Boat Festival. With ten amateur teams competing, over forty teams entered in the corporate competition, and twelve teams in the schools and university category, it was testament to the speed with which this sport is growing. So, what is dragon boat racing? Dragon boating is believed to have started 2,500 years ago in China. Folklore maintains that began because of the drowning of Qu Yuan, a Chinese poet, who went into the Miluo River with the intent of committing suicide in protest against political corruption. When the people heard of Qu Yuan’s suicide, they rushed out into the river in their fishing boats and tried to save Qu Yuan. They beat their drums and splashed the water with paddles to keep the fish and evil spirits away from Yuan’s body. The folklore goes on to state that dragon boat races are held annually on the day of Qu Yuan’s death. Today, dragon boat racing is among the fastest growing of team water sports, with scores of thousands of participants in various organisations and clubs in over 60 countries – 62 of which are IDBF members (as of 8 Jan 2009). The sport is recognised for the camaraderie, strength and endurance fostered amongst participants, and it has also become a very popular corporate and charitable sport.
Each dragon boat can hold up to 20 paddlers both male and female. Most competitions have 3 categories ‘Open Premier’ – put as many men as you can find on the boat!, ‘Mixed Open’ – you can have 12 men max on the boat and ‘Premier Women’s’ – chicks rock! So, at each festival you could find yourself rowing in each of the 3 categories (only if you’re female!!). Last weekend’s competition was intense. The amateur teams had been training hard, with sessions generally starting at 6am. Rivalry is rife, with each team determined to put to rest past defeats. The heats in the Premier Mixed competition were close, with Dubai Diggers, Dubai Flying Dragons, Dubai Falcons, Capital Dragons & Dubai Dawn Patrol making the final. So, on to the final … and those magic words … ‘paddles up … go!” It takes a lot of power to get 780 kilos of teak boat moving, believe me. Paddling into the wind and into the current, visibility was poor, but blind ambition won through. Dubai Diggers crossed the line first with Dubai Flying Dragons hot on their heels. With the prize giving in the grounds of the Shangri- La Hotel, spirits were high. A great bbq and party was enjoyed by all on the Friday night, with good team building in preparation for more races on the Saturday.
An intense, exhilarating, fun weekend with some great paddling and partying!
For more information go to: http://www.dubaidragonboat.com Email: uaedragonboat@gmail.com or Call: Jason 050 763 4008