Vandalia Health Dragon Boat Festival
ABOUT DRAGON BOAT RACING
The history of dragon boat racing is rooted in ancient Chinese folk traditions dating back more than 2000 years. The modern sport emerged in Hong Kong in the 1970’s and has grown in popularity to become one of the fastest growing team sports in the world. Nearly 50 million people competed in the sport last year and there is even a movement to make dragon boat racing an Olympic sport.
WHO BENEFITS
This inaugural Dragon Boat Festival supports Vandalia Health whose mission is to enhance the health of our communities through clinical excellence one person at a time; specifically the clinical expansions at Preston Memorial Hospital and Stonewall Jackson Hospital.
The event brings together the multiple communities for a unique experience that promotes team spirit, celebrates community, supports a wonderful cause and allows people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to compete. Paddles Up!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
- Become a sponsor
- Create a team
- Join a team
- Be a spectator
- Help Volunteer
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The sponsorship packet offers a range of sponsorship opportunities at various levels for you and/or your organization. Sponsorships are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If interested in becoming a sponsor, please download our sponsorship packet. Since this is a brand new event, we are open to creative and customized opportunities to meet your needs.
BUILDING A DRAGON BOAT TEAM
Each team consists of paddlers, a drummer, a steerer and a few alternates. The minimum number of paddlers is 16 while the maximum is 20. Each team is required to have at least eight female paddlers. No exceptions. Each team appoints a drummer to sit at the front of the boat to beat the drum to maintain the teams pace. The drummer’s role is crucial for team coordination, so choose wisely. The steerer stands in the rear of the boat and keeps the team on course. The steerer is provided by the racing company.
Each team can have a minimum of 17 crew members (16 paddlers and a drummer) with a maximum of 21 (20 paddlers and a drummer). It is recommended that each team have 2-3 alternates which would allow for a total of up to 24 team members per team. If a team cannot fill the boat or meet the female requirements, community partners can be added to complete the team.
THE DRAGON BOAT
The dragon boat is a long, narrow canoe with an ornately carved dragon’s head and tail. The boats are 46 feet long and seat 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer. The paddlers sit two by two on ten benches on the boat. They paddle in unison to the beat of the drum to “fly” the dragon across the water. The boats are rented through a company called Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing LLC who provides all of the boats, paddles, drums, and life jackets for the event.
THE RACE
The race will take place behind the Stonewall Resort at the Little Sorrel boat dock. The course is 200 – 250 meters and the average time for each race is about 2.5 minutes. The teams compete in heats, semi-finals, and finals to determine the overall winner. Each team will race two to four times. The winners will be recognized at the awards ceremony at the end of the event.
TENTATIVE RACE DAY SCHEDULE
7:30 AM Saturday morning practice for 2 teams
8:00 AM Registration begins
9:00 AM Opening ceremony
9:30 AM Round one begins - first heat of teams
10:30 AM Round two begins - second heat of teams
12:00 PM Lunch break
1:30 PM Final round begins
3:00 PM Awards Ceremony
INTERESTED?
If you would like to request more information, please contact Laura McCall at
Laura.McCall@VandaliaHealth.org or call
304-692-5896.