The sport of dragonboat racing has its origins in China over 1000 years ago.Over the past 20 years has become one of the world's most colourful and fastest growing team sports. Dragonboating is a fun, social and competitive team sport that involves a 48 foot, 300Kg boat, 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a stern racing at 250, 500 and sometimes 2000 metre courses. Dragon Boating(video)
The goal of VCKC teams is to compete in nearby dragonboat festivals, including the Gorge Super Sprints(May), Portland Rose Festival (June), Vancouver/Alcan (June), Richmond (July), Vancouver Island Championships and Victoria (August), and Kelowna and San Francisco (September).
Teams start their practices in early March and finish the season either after the Victoria or Kelowna festivals. Depending on demand, the dragonboat program offers several different teams with different goals and commitment levels: Competitive, Recreational, Womens, Youth, and 50+. In 2009, VCKC had 6 teams in action - all recreational.
VCKC Teams are open to any member of VCKC. Competitive teams require strong commitment and require previous paddling experience and fitness.
Paddlers wishing to be placed on a team undergo a selection process to match their season's goals with a team of similarly minded paddlers. "Open" practices at 10 am are held on Saturday Mornings, starting in early April. This is the best place to start as a new member or new paddler.
Paddlers are placed onto teams in April with practices twice weekly to ensure top performance for the Victoria Dragonboat Festival in mid-August.
Instructional Resources
Useful links:
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