On Aug. 10, Highlands Medical Center and Nourish One Child hosted Scottsboro’s first ever Dragon Boat Race at Goose Pond Colony Resort. It was a day full of fun and community bonding for a charitable cause.
There were 21 Dragon Boat teams competing in the event to raise money for Nourish One Child and the Highlands Medical Center Foundation. Not only were the teams judged in races, they were judged by spirit and best tent decorations. Most teams came with matching shirts and several came with costumes. Elaborate tent decorations added a spirited flair to the atmosphere. From Vikings and Pirates to Storks and Flamingos, the crowd showed an abundance of enthusiasm for the event.
The teams all had different themes. The themes reflected team members’ workplaces, schools, faith, fun and even important causes. One team, Save Lake Guntersville, was united in bringing attention to the lake’s ongoing eelgrass issue. The Drunken Vikings brought a spirit of fun to the event that was entertaining to witness. The winning team, Stork Squad, donned stork hats, had a drummer dressed as a stork and a couple team members dressed in inflatable baby costumes.
Piloting the Dragon Boats themselves took teamwork. The most successful boats were the teams working together and paddling in unison.
“We feel our call first and foremost is the engage the community with love and service and this goes to a good cause. It’s a nice team sport and reminds us all about the power of unity,” said Corey Burns of First United Methodist Church in Scottsboro.
Sonni Hood of Unclaimed Baggage said, “When Unclaimed Baggage first heard about the Scottsboro Dragon Boat Races, we thought it would be such a fun event for our team members. It is a great team building experience. Nourish One Child is also one of our charitable partners, so we were eager to participate to benefit Nourish One Child and the Highlands Foundation. Our team may not be the fastest, but we are having a blast! We are taking notes on how we can be even better next year and are excited to participate in the next Dragon Boat Races. Let’s go, Oar-Phaned Treasure Hunters!”
While it took teamwork to pilot the boats, immense coordination carried out by the 78 volunteers made the Dragon Boat event a success. The volunteers took teamwork to another level. The event itself was well-organized. It had been planned months in advance. Volunteers worked tirelessly just to make the Dragon Boat Race event happen. It was the collaboration of caring people working together to improve our community that accomplished running the event with smooth precision.
“From the volunteers to the fans, everyone has been so enthusiastic. It doesn’t seem like the first dragon boat race ever held here. It looks like something that has been going on here for ten years or more with the organization, support and enthusiasm. The venue—it’s almost like it was designed to race dragon boats. People came here smiling before 6 a.m. getting ready for this and there wasn’t a glitch at all,” said Kelly McGinnis of Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing.
A key player in organizing the race, Mary K. Carlton of Nourish One Child, was unable to see the result of her hard work due to an accident that landed her in the hospital. While other volunteers were saddened about Carlton’s absence, they took the reins of her leadership and carried the event through all while eager to pass the reins back to Carlton when she recovers.
Even though she missed the race, Carlton kept up with it. She saw lots of pictures from friends and supporters. Carlton said Susanna Sivley, Highlands Executive Director of Support Services, paid her a visit at the hospital and brought her a medal and a tee shirt from the winning team. Carlton was glad the event went well and said she was thankful for all of the volunteers, paddlers and sponsors.
“I’m so proud to see all the members of the community come out and support it. To everyone involved, I want to say thank you for supporting our first Scottsboro Dragon Boat Race and raising money to feed children on the weekends. We have been very blessed by tremendous support in Scottsboro,” Carlton said.
FAQs
Dragon boat racing began more than 2000 years ago on the banks of the life-sustaining rivers in the valleys of southern China as a fertility ritual thought to bring good luck to the coming crop season.
How many people are on the dragon boat Team? ›
The crew of a standard dragon boat typically consists of 22 team members: 20 paddlers in pairs facing toward the bow of the boat, 1 drummer or caller at the bow facing toward the paddlers, and 1 steerer standing at the rear of the boat.
Is the Dragon Boat Festival a race? ›
In commemoration of Qu Yuan, people hold dragon boat races yearly on the day of his death according to the legend. They also scattered rice into the water to feed the fish, to prevent them from eating Qu Yuan's body, which is one of the origins of zongzi.
Where are some of the largest dragon boat races held each year and how many teams race? ›
The Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is an annual festival of dragon boat races in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Begun in 1994, the festival attracts 5,500 paddlers, 200 teams and over 75,000 spectators from all around the world. It is one of the largest dragon boat festivals in North America.
What is the spiritual meaning of the dragon boat? ›
Originally Dragon Boat was used for religious purposes as a way to appease the rain gods. Each boat has an ornately carved dragon's head at the bow and a tail in the stern. The boat is painted with scales. The paddles symbolically represent the dragon's claws, the drum represents the heart. .
What is the symbolism of the Dragon Boat Festival? ›
The Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a patriot poet during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), who committed suicide by flinging himself into the Miluo River in Hunan province after his mother kingdom fell into enemy rule.
What qualities make a successful dragon boat team? ›
Many sports have specific physical requirements to succeed, but in dragon boating all you need is an unwavering work ethic, grit, and drive. Diversity is a huge advantage since anyone can join the team and become a great paddler in a reasonably short time, enabling them to contribute to better performance by the team.
What are the rules for the dragon boat race? ›
All paddlers must be at least 14 years of age. All callers and tillers must be at least 14 years of age, but need not meet the age or sex requirements of the division. Every dragon boat on the water must have a caller and a tiller. Only experienced tillers should be used at this race.
Why is it called a dragon boat? ›
The first people to participate were superstitious Chinese villagers who celebrated the 5th day of the 5th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Dragon boating was held to avert misfortune and encourage rains for prosperity. The main object of their worship was the dragon, hence the name 'dragon boat racing'.
How long does a dragon boat race last? ›
During races, a colorful dragon head and tail are attached at the ends of the boat. Races vary in length from 250 to 2,000 meters. However, a standard race is 500 meters and can last two to three minutes, depending on the efficient paddling and timing of the crew.
THE COLORADO DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL!
The LARGEST Dragon Boat Festival in the US. FREE Admission!
What is the most important thing about the Dragon Boat Festival? ›
Origin of the Dragon Boat Festival
Despite many speculations around the origin of the festival, one of the more well-known ones is that the day is to honour Qu Yuan, a Chinese patriotic poet and a beloved state servant who gave his life for his country.
What does a dragon boat cost? ›
We have 7 boats. Each boat Includes boat drum seat oar. $9500 each.
Where is dragon boat most popular? ›
The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is undoubtedly one of Hong Kong's most popular events, drawing thousands of spectators and racing teams from across the globe. The popularity of this event is growing at a surprising rate throughout the world but especially in the USA, Canada and Europe.
What is the legend behind the Dragon Boat Festival? ›
Dragon Boat Legend
The most popular one is that the holiday is for honoring Qu Yuan, an ancient Chinese poet and loyal politician who drowned in the Miluo River on the fifth day of the fifth month. Qu Yuan was so loved that people quickly paddled boats on the river to rescue/recover him.
Why do Chinese people race dragon boats? ›
The first people to participate were superstitious Chinese villagers who celebrated the 5th day of the 5th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. Dragon boating was held to avert misfortune and encourage rains for prosperity. The main object of their worship was the dragon, hence the name 'dragon boat racing'.
What is the meaning of dragon boating? ›
Dragon Boating is a fast and furious, paddle driven water sport that originated in China over 2000 years ago. The modern sport sees crews of up to 20 paddlers (10 for small boats), plus a sweep and drummer, train and race in fiberglass boats with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails.
What is the theme of dragon boat race? ›
Beyond the legend of Qu Yuan, the Dragon Boat Festival also touches on themes of nature and the lunar calendar. The festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, a time traditionally associated with warding off evil spirits and disease.
