Registration is now open for one of the most exciting events on the water, River Cities Dragon Boat Festival, benefiting the Children’s Protection Center.
On Saturday, May 18, teams will compete at Burn’s Park’s Victory Lake for the champion title in Arkansas’ first ever dragon boat competition.
It may be cold outside, but now is the time to form teams and register with the Children’s Protection Center. Corporate and community teams can register online for a boat and a fundraising page at www.rivercitiesdragonboatfestival.com
Dating back more than 2,300 years, Dragon Boat racing features teams of 20 paddlers with a drummer and a steerer in authentic Hong-Kong style, 46-foot-long dragon boats. All skill levels and physiques can paddle, making it the ultimate team-building sport, requiring synchronicity and finesse, more than power to win.
Registration for a boat is $500 and team members are encouraged to raise $100 per person in pledges. Each team will have one on-water practice session before race day and are guaranteed to compete in two heats during the competition. Winning teams will go on to race in qualifying heats for the championship title.
Teams are encouraged to dress up, decorate their tents and bring as many spectators as possible for a festival by the river. Top prizes will be awarded to the fastest teams, the largest pledge contributions and best dressed teams.
The Children’s Protection Center, the only organization of its kind in Pulaski County, provides a child-friendly facility where professionals work together to protect and treat child abuse victims and their families. The CPC works directly with children and their families to help reduce the trauma of child abuse and the resulting investigation.
Here is a little video from Montana to give you an idea of the fun.
2012 Dragon Boat Races on Flathead Lake, Montana from GravityShots.com on Vimeo.
