Dragon Boats
PADDLERS, CALLERS, STEERSPERSONS AND COACHES WELCOME
Paddlers Needed!
The following teams are now recruiting for the upcoming season. If you know someone – friend, neighbor, co-worker – who’d like to learn to paddle, they can contact these teams directly, or email dbrep@fortlangleycanoeclub.ca
TITANIUM - women's team 59+, practicing Friday 5:00
- to find out more email Cheryl
WOW – women’s team, practicing Tu 6:45 and Th 5:30
- to find out more email Cheryl
Fort Fury – women’s team, practicing Mon 6:45 and Wed 6:45
- to find out more email flashmob Dev
Fraser Dragons - women's team, practicing Mon 5:15 and Wed 5:15
- to find out more email Cathy
Paddle Pushers – women’s team, practicing Th 5:30
- to find out more email Pam
Dragon Flies – women’s team, practicing Tu 6:45
- to find out more email Brenda
Team Vengeance – mixed team, under age 23, practicing Sat. 10am
- to find out more email Ethan
SOAR - mixed, practicing Mon and Thurs at 6:45
- to find out more email Carol and Murray
11 teams entered the Penticton Festival in 2012
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A Brief History
The roots of dragon boat racing date back to the 4th Century B.C. in China.
According to legend Qu Yuan, a revered poet and statesman, hurled himself into
the Mi Lo River to protest the corrupt regime of the reigning Chou Dynasty
emperor. When local boatmen saw Qu Yuan disappear beneath the water, they raced
out to save him. Sadly, they were too late. Fearing
that his body would be preyed upon by fish and evil spirits and of the river,
the boatmen beat their paddles furiously upon the water. It is said that they
also threw rice dumplings into the river as a sacrifice to his heroic spirit.
Qu Yuan’s death is commemorated each year on the fifth day of the fifth lunar
month (Chinese Calendar) at Dragon Boat Festivals around the world. Before the
festival, ancient blessing rituals such as “Awakening the Dragons” (rousing the
dragon boats to life by a special eye-dotting ceremony) are performed.
Head
and Tail Carving Workshop
with Eric Neighbour
(at
the Roundhouse, Vancouver) February
2005
This carving project was offered at the round house in Vancovuer.
It was a LOT more work than WOW anticipated, but the team got it done in time for display at the Alcan Festival.
The original crew, Joanne, Sue E., Barbara, and Kathy were helped out by Bhree, Verla, Terry, and a few
others who weren't even on the team.
They sweated over it for a good five
months, and eventually became the only group from the workshop who actually finished their
carving.
Something to be proud of!
Click here for the photos