Dragon Boat Club of Boston Seeks New Participants - Triathlon Week

Bob Lee · 04-24-2003, 09:56 AM

Dragon Boat Club of Boston is seeking new participants. Our 2003 Novice practice schedule is attached below. Men and women of all ages welcome. No experience necessary. Any physical sizes, strength and condition accepted.

Racing is a not a mandatory requirement by our club and we welcome any members/non-members of any physical shape or conditioning to race or practice with us. In 2003, we will be racing in Washington, DC, Boston, Montreal, New York and Hartford.

Our club has about 60 members whose ages are about 20-40. Most are working professionals in and around Boston with several grad students from MIT and Harvard. More information about our club and photos of us are available at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Please let me know if you have any other questions and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Kind regards,

Bob Lee
Clerk
Dragon Boat Club of Boston, Inc.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DRAGON BOAT CLUB OF BOSTON 2003 SPRING/SUMMER NOVICE PRACTICE SCHEDULE

To RSVP for Novice practice, please email Bob Lee at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] or call at 617-413-8360. Limit of 22 persons on the boat.

DATES

After Sunday April 20, 2003, every Sunday (2:30 PM – 4:00 PM)

LOCATION

Hatch Shell, Esplanade, Charles River, Boston, Massachusetts

COST

Members: Free
Non-Members: $5/Practice

RECOMMENDED APPAREL/EQUIPMENT

Swim suit/trunks
Tank Top/T-Shirt
Towel
Bottle of Water
Biking/Paddling Gloves
Hat
Jacket/Fleece (if weather still cold)
Sweatpants (if weather still cold)
Sneakers/Sandals
Spare change of clothes
Sunscreen

WHAT’S INVOLVED

Practices will consist of stretching and reviewing paddling technique on the land before working on practice pieces on the boat to develop technique, timing, strength, conditioning, etc. Post-practice stretching.

DIRECTIONS

By T:

Get off at the Charles MGH Station on the Red Line. Exit the station going towards Beacon Hill/Charles Street. Cross over the road/rotary on the walkway and climb down the stairs to the street. Re-climb the other stairs to your right that bring you onto the pedestrian footbridge that crosses over Storrow Drive towards the Esplanade. Take a left at the other end of the footbridge, descend onto the sidewalk and walk straight. Pass Community Boating on your right. The dock we will be on is several hundred yards straight ahead on your right after the Union Boat House (on your left). You will know you're there when you see the 41-foot long white and blue dragon boat either at the dock with the green metal railing or by the island just off the Esplanade on your right.

By Car:

If you're driving, and you want to pay for parking, there's the Mass Eye and Ear parking lot that's just at the start of the westbound Storrow Drive onramp at the rotary of Longfellow Bridge/Cambridge Street/Storrow Drive where the CVS is. Park your car, cross the rotary and go underneath the Red Line overpass towards Beacon Hill/Charles Street. Climb onto the pedestrian footbridge that crosses over Storrow Drive towards the Esplanade. Take a left at the other end of the footbridge, descend onto the sidewalk and walk straight. Pass Community Boating on your right. The dock we will be on is several hundred yards straight ahead and on your right just after the Union Boat House (on your left). You will know you're there when you see the 41-foot long white and blue dragon boat either at the dock with the green metal railing or by the island just off the Esplanade on your right. You may also want to try parking around Beacon Hill or on Beacon Street and cross Storrow Drive on foot at the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge. If so, take a right after getting off the footbridge and the dock will be just behind and to the left of the Hatch Shell.

CULTURAL HISTORY OF DRAGON BOATING

2,300 years ago in China, a well-respected social reformist was banished by the government. While in exile and in protest, he threw himself in the river and drowned. Over the centuries, the festive celebrations of the dragon boat races have turned into a tradition, commemorating this patriotic poet, Qu Yuan.

WHAT IS A DRAGON BOAT?

A dragon boat is a 39- to 45-foot long canoe-like boat, made from materials such as fiberglass or teak wood. It is decorated with a dragon's head at the prow and a tail at the stern. These brightly colored boats seat a crew of 20, a steersperson and a drummer who sits at the dragon head and beats the paddle rhythm for the team.

WHAT IS DRAGON BOAT RACING?

Dragon boat racing is an ancient Chinese sport that has become a global phenomenon. It is an annual event held in over 40 countries around the world.

Traditionally, it is celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, but today the races are held on various dates throughout the summer. Many countries around the world have embraced this water sport and have formed dragon boat racing clubs in their own countries.

In the U.S. alone, there are a few hundred clubs and associations dedicated to the sport of dragon boating.

According to Paddler Magazine, dragon boat racing is the fastest growing water sport and the second most popular water sport in the world. Enthusiasts of all ages can participate at all levels of physical fitness.

Dragon boat racing requires a great deal of teamwork, as the crew has to paddle together using technique and timing. One of the great attractions for this sport is the camaraderie that is formed. Enjoy networking with new friends as you travel to different cities across North America to compete.

HISTORY OF DRAGON BOAT CLUB OF BOSTON

In July 2001, 20 dragon boaters from Boston paddled in the 6th Annual Montreal Dragon Boat Festival. They were impressed by the spirit, teamwork, and athleticism of the Canadian teams and returned to form the largest New England organization dedicated to supporting and promoting dragon boat teams and races.

The club runs daily practices from the dock by the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade between April and October. Its members have competed at races in Boston, Norwalk, Hartford, Montreal, Toronto, Pawtucket, New York and San Francisco.

Dragon Boat Club of Boston, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

psynch · 08-23-2005, 10:37 PM

Living Root Dragon Boat in Boston seeks men and women to race in Pawtucket,
Rhode Island on Saturday September 10, 2005 and in Hartford, Connecticut on
Saturday September 17, 2005. No prior experience necessary. For more
information, visit [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

psynch · 10-17-2005, 10:53 AM

Living Root Dragon Boat, a Boston dragon boat club, wants you today! Train to race in Boston, Montreal, Pawtucket and Hartford!

No prior dragon boat experience necessary. Athleticism, good overall fitness or prior triathlon, swimming, crew, sculling, rowing, paddling, canoeing, outrigger, kayaking experience a plus.

Visit [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] or contact Bob Lee at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] for more information today!