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Dragon boat racing is
the second fastest growing outdoor sport in the world, according to
Paddler magazine. It combines tradition with modern day
teamwork, enthusiasm, and strategy.
They use traditional
Hong Kong style Dragon Boats for the festival. These boats measure
49 feet in length, 4 feet in width, and carry 20 paddlers, 1
drummer, and 1 steersperson. On average, these boats weigh 500
pounds.
Teams would race down a
250-meter waterway on the day of the festival. All teams are
provided with two practice sessions prior to race day.
No prior experience
is necessary to race dragon boats.
The important thing to have is a
competitive spirit and the ability to work together as a team.
The purpose of
the Houston Dragon Boat Festival is to promote the sport and
tradition of dragon boat racing, sharing this dramatic
aspect of
Asian culture with the greater Houston community during
Asian/Pacific American Heritage month. In addition, the Dragon Boat
Festival showcases the remarkable renovations happening along our
own Buffalo Bayou. Proceeds from the Dragon Boat Festival will go
towards promotion of dragon boat racing in Texas and toward
charitable activities. The Dragon Boat Festival is also a way of
encouraging Houstonians to become more physically fit, while
enjoying the outdoor opportunities of our city.
There
were different forms of entertainment
that everyone got to enjoy combining
cultural dancing, singing, instruments, and
martial arts throughout the day for a very
festive day.
And congratulations to Continental Airlines
for winning the Dragon Cup in the Houston
Dragon Boat Festival 2003.
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