• Home Page
  • Home Page
  • Search
  • Gala 2008
• Search Our Site
• About Us
  • History
  • Mission and Vision
  • Board of Directors
  • Operations Committee
  • Honorary Chair 2008
  • Honorary Patrons 2008
• Racing
  • Racing Main Page
  • Race Registration
  • Race Divisions
  • Featured Teams
  • History of Dragon Boat Racing
  • DRACO
  • DB101: Racing for Beginners
• Marketplace
  • Marketplace Information
  • Exhibitor Vendor Registration
  • Food Vendor Registration
  • Featured Food Vendors
  • Featured Exhibitors
• Performing Arts
  • Featured Performers
• Poster Contest
  • Contest Information
  • Featured Winners
  • Exhibit Location
• Cultural Education
  • Cultural Unity
  • Dragonland
  • Explore Asia
  • Gateway to Asia
  • Featured Artists and Organizations
• Cuisine and Customs
  • Year of the Rat
• Employment
• Volunteers
  • Volunteer Main Page
• Sponsors
  • 2008 Supporters
  • Sponsorship Information
• Media
  • Press Releases
  • Newsletters
  • Photos
  • Logos
• Map and Directions
• Greening the Dragon
  • Greening the Dragon Main Page
  • 2008 Partners
• Links
• Contact Us
• Thank You

History of Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon Boat Racing is an ancient Chinese sport that's catching on internationally today. The sport of dragon boating is over 2,000 years old and is steeped in tradition. In ancient China, Chu Yuan, a poet, warrior, and loyal aid to the Emperor, fell victim to plots and deception, and fell out of favor with the Court. When the old Emperor died, Chu Yuan was unjustly banished and wandered the countryside writing poems he hoped would be heard and heeded by the new Emperor.

Despondent, he finally threw himself into the Mi Lo River. His devoted followers, learning of his death, beat their paddles on the water and banged drums and gongs to frighten away the fish from Chu Yuan’s body. In Yuan's honor, athletes the world over still meet to commemorate his sacrifice for honor and justice.

The sport has grown into an international event, with Dragon Boat Races held around the globe from Hong Kong to Sydney, and San Francisco to London.

AWAKENING THE DRAGON

A tradition since the first Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, the Awakening the Dragon Ceremony is a beautiful and spiritual ritual during which Buddhist monks chant as special guests carefully “dot the eyes” of the racing boats as well as a 75-foot Dragon which comes to life for a Dragon Dance. The ceremony takes place as part of the Welcome Ceremony on Saturday and awakens the spirit of the dragon within the boats and blesses all the athletes who will compete.

This year’s Awakening the Dragon Ceremony is carried out with the help of the Chung Tai Zen Center of Denver. The Dragon Dance is performed by the Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu Association of Boulder.

ENTER THE DRAGON BOAT: Dragon Boating 101

If the dragon boat racing bug is biting you, Dragon Boating 101 is your solution!  For the second year, DB 101 offers festival-goers the opportunity to buckle on a life jacket, grab a paddle, and get into the action! For only $20 you (and 19 other introductory racers) will get a chance to race an official dragon boat. The Dragonboat Racing Association of Colorado (DRACO) will provide on-shore training, personal floatation device, and paddle.

Registration is for adults (18 years of age and older) and youth (ages 13-17, with permission from a parent or guardian). This year we're offering two opportunities to participate in DB101, with sessions on both Saturday and Sunday to choose from. Sign up online at www.CDBF.org/DB101.htm, or before 1:00pm on the festival days at the Team Registration tent.

The DB101 schedule for both Saturday and Sunday, July 26-27 is:
1:00pm–2:00pm       On-shore safety and training
2:00pm–3:00pm       Equipment distribution, on-water practice and warm-up
3:00pm                       RACE!

Website Development By Timothy Web Design - 562.367.5750