What is Dragon Boating?

As described in Wikipedia, “like running, horse racing and marksmanship, the racing of dragon boats is among mankind's oldest, organized competitions.” Although originating in China over 2000 years ago, it is unique today in its ability to attract a broad demographic from varying cultural and occupational backgrounds, age and fitness levels, then place them firmly within a rich fabric of ancient ceremonial and cultural traditions.

Dragon boat festivals commemorate the life and death of Qu Yuan (340 –278 BC), a political leader and respected poet of the ancient Chinese state of Chu who saw his home first weakened from the political hands of inept officials and then invaded by powerful neighbors. This saddened him so much that he drowned himself in the Mi-Lo River in despair.

In memory of Qu Yuan’s loyalty to the kingdom, and as a symbol to keep the fish away from his body, the people threw tzung-tzu, into the river from long narrow boats with the ferocious heads of dragons mounted on the prow to the frenzied, rhythmic beating of drums. Over time, this remembrance turned into an annual festival and then into a competitive sport symbolizing the need to maintain honor, continuously improve and always do ones best in the face of adversity.

The actual sport consists of teams of twenty plus people who compete by paddling long, narrow and very photogenic canoe styled, human-powered boats along short, set courses. Success is universally measured by the team spirit, the improvement over previous events and sometimes even by which team won the race.

Toronto has the most active and internationally competitive dragon boat community in North America, plus hosts the two of the world’s largest festivals (the Toronto International Dragon Boat Festival, which brings together over 200,000 paddlers/ spectators every June and the GWN Dragon Boat Challenge which attracts a similar amount each fall).

Dragon boat racing is organized at an international level by the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) and in Canada by Dragon Boat Canada.