Dragon Boat
Originating in China over two thousand years ago, the popularity of Dragon Boat racing has expanded across the globe. The International Dragon Boat Federation is the governing body for the sport and oversees events in over 60 countries.
The long, open canoes are often ornately decorated with a dragon head, scales and a tail. In a large dragon boat approximately 20 paddlers sit in two rows using a single blade paddle. Small dragon boats contain around 10 paddlers, and both configurations use a drummer and coxswain. Events are held on flatwater with distances ranging from 200m to 2000m.