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WHAT IS DRAGON BOAT RACING? |
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A dragon boat dashes
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Dragon boats are slim, traditionally
teakwood (often now fiberglass) racers with
a hand-painted dragon's head at the prow and
a flashy tail at the stern.
Decorated in brilliant Chinese colors, each boat holds
a crew of 18 sitting side by side, a
steersperson at the rudder, a drummer whose
beat sets the pace for the crew and a
flag-catcher at the head of the boat. Dragon
boat racing is unique for the speed of fast
paddling.
Dragon boat racing originated from China
some 2 300 years ago as a traditional
ceremonial sport; today, it is being raced
worldwide to test sportspersons' physical
strength, challenging spirit and group bond. |
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NEWSLETTER May 2006
The 2006 South Africa Chinese Dragon Boat Festival will be
held on our home water at Florida Lake, Johannesburg, Gauteng
Province of South Africa on
Saturday 20 May and Sunday 21 May 2006.
For those who enjoy lots of action in a group fashion,
or simply want to spend a day or two by the lakeside, watch
the excitement and have
fun in the sun, this is something not to be missed!
Colourful boats, pounding drums and challenging spirit, fierce
but friendly, dragon boat racing has become one of the fastest
growing water sport in the world.
The 2006 festival marks the eighth annual action dragon boat
racing in Gauteng since it's first competition in 1999 on
Bruma Lake, Johannesburg, the cultural sport festival draws close to 1 000
paddlers and many more in number the spectators to the water
edge every year to enjoy the cultural atmosphere.
In South Africa, Gauteng and Western Cape are the two of the most
active dragon boat racing provinces under South African Dragon Boat Association (SADBA)
affiliated with International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF).
The nine competition classes in the upcoming event include: Mens Open, Mixed Open, Junior Mens, Junior Mixed, Corporate
competition, Chinese community challenge as well as a
specially staged mentally and physically challenged kids
competition, an endeavor GDBA has cultivated in the past three
years to develop the rural area.
On Saturday 20 May, knock-out rounds will be on for the whole
day, where on Sunday 21 May a traditional opening ceremony with
dragon dance and marshal art display will be held at 9am,
followed by semi final and final races in all classes until
5pm. There will be lakeside fete on both days.
Bring your family and friends to enjoy the fun!
It's never too late to enter,
click here
Media enquiry:
Mr Gino Feng,
Chairman, GDBA Cell: 082-821 1555
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