Dragon Boating is an ancient sport, rich in culture and tradition; it originated in China over 2000 years ago. It began when the famous and much loved Chinese poet, Chu Yuan, threw himself into the Miluo River to protest against government corruption. When the people of his village saw this they jumped into their boats and paddled furiously to try and rescue him while beating drums to fend off evil spirits. Unfortunately they could not save him, but every year thereafter the people would commemorate this day by gathering in their boats and race in his memory. Today, Dragon Boating is the national sport of China. There are reportedly over 30 million dragon boaters who take part in races every year.

Dragon Boating in Canada

Dragon Boating was first raced in North America in Vancouver during the mid 1980s. Since this time it has seen an explosion unparalleled in any other sport and has been dubbed the fastest growing sport in the world.

Why so Popular?

Why has Dragon Boating become such a popular activity? Simple, it is easy to learn, the boats are extremely stable and once a paddler is in stroke, it doesn’t matter how big, small, old or young he or she is, they’re contributing to the team. It is an activity where 80 percent of teams feature men and women competing together in mixed crews. This quality has made it a favorite among corporations and organizations who use it as a team building activity. Finally, it is visually spectacular to see, and a great venue to showcase the different cultural aspects of your community. There’s always something for the whole family.