Here are some words of wisdom from Coby Crowley of the CDBF Race Committee, about being in shape for dragon boat racing:
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So now that paddling season is in full bloom, it is time to get yourself ready for the fun!
You might want to check your fitness inventory. But, before you start any fitness program check with your doc to make sure all is well.
And if you have access to a personal trainer she can guide you to make sure you are doing the exercises properly.
Seasoned paddlers know what it takes “physically” to paddle: Think Cardio, Cardio, Cardio! Do some interval training to get that heart rate up. Remember, you want to be able to keep paddling to the finish line!
Stretching is also very important for rotation. Core strength is core :-). Your abs will wake up for sure, when you're paddling.
But most of all, have fun! And, remember the Race Committee is always here to answer any questions you may have.
Stay tuned for information on “what do I bring on Race Day?” next month!
Paddles Up!

Congratulations to Erin Yoshimura, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival's Executive Director! She was named one of five Livingston Fellows for 2014 by the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation.
The prestigious Fellowship provides $25,000 for Erin to use toward personal development to increase her impact within CDBF and the broader Asian American Pacific Islander community. She was a CDBF volunteer from the first year, 2001, and was asked to take the Executive Director role in 2010.
Erin is the first person of Asian descent, out of 50 recipients, to receive this nonprofit executive fellowship from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation. Previous Fellows have traveled nationally and internationally, attended elite academic programs, met with prominent leaders in their fields, and championed causes including homelessness, aging, mental health and the arts.
Read more about the Livingston Fellowship and learn about the other Fellows, past and present via our press release

Edward Nance lets out a yell as he brings a thick, wooden drumstick crashing down against the taut surface of the massive drum in front of him. A rolling rumble resonates in the ribcages of audience members as the thunderous rhythm builds.
Nance, a 20-year veteran of the iconic Japanese taiko drum, is no stranger to the excitement and thrill of performing on the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Main Stage. A member of Denver Taiko, Nance has been performing at the festival since he was 17 years old.
“Right before I play it is nothing but butterflies.,” Nance said. “You would think after doing it so long I would not get this feeling but, it is still there.”
Coming from a mixed-racial background, Nance, who is part Japanese and part African-American and Caucasian, understands the importance of being part of one of Colorado Dragon Boat Festival’s perennial powerhouse performances.
“The Dragon Boat Festival has been around for so long and I feel it is important for residents of Colorado to know the beauty of all of the different Asian cultures represented in this beautiful State,” Nance said.
“To me the Dragon Boat means so much,” he added. “Without it, summer just would not feel the same. It would be a crime if Coloradans were not able to experience such amazing exposure to Asia.”
Taiko drums were originally used by Japanese samurai to intimidate their enemies and coordinate battle movements, as well as in religious exercises and to dispel evil spirits. Modern group-based performance taiko dates back to the 1950s.
Denver Taiko, a non-profit ensemble founded in 1976, is one of the country’s oldest taiko groups and has performed at the Dragon Boat Festival since its inception in 2001. Nance has participated in all except three of their performances at Sloan’s Lake.
“Denver Taiko always has a great crowd and I am proud to be at least a small part of an amazing summer festival,” Nance said. “Just looking out there and seeing the excitement and anticipation in each face is a rush I cannot describe."

Kathy Geitl (in window) of A Taste of Philippines will be cooking Filipino specialties for you again this year.We're thrilled to announce the lineup of 2014 Taste of Asia Food Vendor, who will serve you from two food court areas once again this summer!
We had lots of applications, and feature more vendors than last year, including newcomers like the popular Boulder restaurant Himalayas, Hot Wok Cafe from Fort Collins, Knights of Columbus serving food from Pho Bowlevard and Koneko Ice Cream's custom Asian flavors.
We'll feature Hmong cuisine once again from the Hmong Alliance Church, plus the return of Japanese food from Kokoro. Last year's newbies Little India and A Taste of Philippines will return, Dae Gee is back with its Korean fare, and old favorites will serve you including Queen of Vietnamese Martyrs Church, Denver Thai Lion's Club and of course, "Monkey Balls!" from Thai Pepper -- visitors wait all year to eat the yummy meatballs (no, there's no monkey parts involved).