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As the weather gets warmer and the flowers threaten to bloom, most Charlestonians’ thoughts turn to boats. This year a different type of watercraft will be plying the Ashley River. The Holy City will host the Charleston Dragon Boat Race and Festival May 3 to benefit the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University. Based at Brittlebank Park, over 700 competitors are expected. What a spectacle!

Originating in Southern China over 2,000 years ago, the use of dragon boats for racing is thought to have begun on the Yangtze River. Although theories of its origin abound, it was an important part of the celebration of the harvest season in agricultural China. Serving as the focus for water rituals and festivals, the tradition honored the Asian dragon water deity. Hopefully, with his appeasement, misfortune could be averted and the rain would come, leading to a successful harvest.

Today, modern dragon boat racing is among the fastest growing team water sports worldwide, with tens of thousands of participants in various clubs in about 60 countries. The sport is recognized for its camaraderie, team building, the strength and endurance of its participants and as a popular charitable sport.

“Hollings Cancer Center is pleased to be the beneficiary of pledges raised from the first Charleston Dragon Boat Festival,” said Andrew S. Kraft, M.D., Director of the Hollings Cancer Center. “We established our team in 2003 as a unique and supportive alternative for cancer survivors, and now the rest of the city will know what an exciting and rewarding sport it is.”

Present day dragon boats are about 40 feet long with ten seats for twenty paddlers facing forward. Using a single-blade paddle, the lead pair of paddlers sets the pace for the team. It is critical that the strokes are synchronized to channel all the energy into moving the boat forward. The drummer is considered the heartbeat of the team. The cadence of the beat regulates the pace of the paddlers. Race management supplies the trained steerer to control the tiller.

Race coordinator Penny Behling of Dynamic Events invites all groups to register for the race. “It will be a good mix of experienced teams and new groups looking for an exciting way to get some exercise while having a good time for a good cause,” she explained. And don’t think that you have to be heavily muscled to be a good paddler. “One of the best things about dragon boat racing is that people at any fitness level can compete. It engages all the muscles, legs for pushing off the stroke, arms and especially core muscles. We always tell those interested in forming a team that if your arms are sore from practice, you’re doing something wrong”

Groups of friends, co-workers or groups of any kind are urged to register. Paddlers are asked to raise money for the Hollings Cancer Center by setting $100 as a minimum fund raising goal. Each team is allowed two on-water practice sessions with a trained coach prior to the race. There is a youth division for ages 12-17 and the adult division starts at 18 and goes right on up. Plenty of sixty year olds around the world compete. Registration deadline is April 21, 2008. You can call Penny Behling at 1-877-580-RACE to register your team.

On May 3, Brittlebank Park will be filled with thematic booths and entertainment. There will be lots for children to do, food and the traditional Lion’s Dance will be preformed. Masters Studios in North Charleston will provide martial arts demonstrations.

One ritual called the Awakening of the Dragon involved a priest dotting the bulging eyes of a carved dragon head, revitalizing its spirit or Qi (pronounced chee.) Modern day festivals usually begin with a VIP invited to step forward in this role. A brush dipped in red paint is dabbed on the ceramic figurehead to reanimate the creature’s bold spirit for the competition to come.

So round up some friends and co-workers and get involved. It’s seldom that doing a good turn for a worthy cause can be so much fun and so good for you at the same time.

Filed under: Around Town on March 15th, 2008