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Flaming Dragons
Edmonton's only LGBT dragon boat team needs paddlers
Edmonton's first and only LGBT dragon boat team, the Flaming Dragons, is one team that isn't just splashing around.
A short year after the team formed, the Flaming Dragons placed in the top ten out of nearly 50 teams at the 2010 Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival. Quite a feat, considering that many of their paddlers had never set foot inside a dragon boat before joining the team. This year, the Flaming Dragons have their sights set on gold, and there is room in their boat for more!
The team is a mix of guys and gals who know how to have fun on and off the water. Many joined the team looking for a new recreational activity, and in addition to making new friends in the LGBT community, have gained a love of the sport. One of the fastest growing team sports in the world, dragon boat racing requires endurance, strength, skill and impeccable timing.
A dragon boat is a long human-powered boat that can hold up to 24 paddlers, depending on the size. During the festival, teams paddle 500 metres upstream against other dragon boat teams in a race to the finish line. Although 500 metres upstream seems like a relatively short distance, getting to the finish line is not as easy as it looks and requires considerable strength and endurance. A good race time is typically two and a half minutes depending on river conditions.
The Flaming Dragons practice on Monday and Wednesday evenings at Rafter's Landing, on the south side of the river, beside the Edmonton Queen's docks. Practices start in June as soon as river conditions allow. If you're interested in joining the team or becoming a sponsor, please e-mail dragonboat@teamedmonton.ca.
Now in its 15th season, the Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival is one of the biggest dragon boat festivals in Canada, and takes place this year from August 19-21. |
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