WHAT IS DRAGON BOAT RACING?

Dragon boat racing originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and has grown into an exciting international team sport enjoyed around the world.

Modern dragon boats are long, narrow racing boats, traditionally decorated with a dragon's head and tail for competition and festivals — a colourful connection to the sport's Chinese heritage.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

A standard dragon boat crew can include up to 20 paddlers, sitting in pairs and working together to move the boat as efficiently as possible.

The front pair, known as the strokes, set the timing for the crew. At the back is the sweep, who steers the boat and is responsible for the crew's safety on the water.

During racing, a drummer sits at the front, keeping time with the crew — and providing a little extra motivation when it starts to hurt!

Dragon boating is all about timing and teamwork. Twenty strong paddlers doing their own thing won't get very far — the boat is at its fastest when everyone works together.

READY, SET, RACE!

Dragon boat racing includes a variety of distances. 200m and 500m sprint races are common at regattas, while longer-distance events test the crew's endurance, technique and teamwork.

Regattas are fast, colourful and noisy — with boats racing side-by-side, sweeps calling, drums beating and crews giving everything they've got to cross the line first.

Easts competes in women's, men's and mixed racing categories at regattas throughout the season, with opportunities for paddlers of different ages and experience levels to get involved.

A BIT OF HISTORY...

The traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival, is held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.

One of the best-known traditions associated with the festival commemorates Qu Yuan, an ancient Chinese poet and statesman. According to legend, after Qu Yuan drowned, local people raced out in boats in an attempt to save him and beat drums and disturbed the water to protect his body.

Dragon boat racing has since developed into an international sport, with clubs, regattas and festivals held around the world.

Today, dragon boating brings together tradition, competition, fitness and teamwork — and Easts is proud to be part of it.