Dragon Boat Racing dates back over 2,000 years to the Chinese legend of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan, after being exiled from the land he loved, threw himself in the Milou River. In an attempt to save him, local fishermen wildly beat their drums and splashed the water with their paddles to prevent water dragons and fish from eating his body. The modern Dragon Boat Race is based upon the reenactment of the race to save Qu from the waters terrors.

   Today, Dragon Boat Racing is one of the fastest growing athletic events in the world! In a relatively short period of time, North America has proved to be a forced to be reckoned with!  The U.S. Premier Open Crew has won a World Championship at 1000m, and is continuously striving harder for gold each year. As a testimonial to the explosive growth of the sport in the United States, Philadelphia hosted the 4th World Championship of Dragon Boat Racing in 2001. 

   What is most exciting is the growth of the sport at the grassroots level. Dragon Boat Racing is great fun for anyone, young or old. Although most international crews are either all male or female, national and regional events attract primarily mixed teams from corporations, public service groups, clubs sponsored by small businesses, high schools, and colleges and universities.

   In Tampa, BuK Hong Kong style dragon boats are used.  The boats are 42' in length, 4' wide and seat 20 paddlers in 10 rows.  A drummer sits facing the crew elevated in the bow, and a steersperson stands on a raised platform in the stern to guide the boat with a 10' oar. 

   Typically 4-6 teams race at a time down a standard 500m or 250m course in a straight line.  At some festivals a 1000m course is also used.  Teams race against the clock, placing themselves in a division with other teams of their caliber, and eventually vying for a divisional championship!

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