The Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival will he held on Saturday, May 11. This event will include Asia Trend’s Asian Cultural Expo.
Dragon boat racing is a fun event to watch. Each boat has 20 paddlers, sitting in tandem in 10 rows, with a drummer at the bow and a steering oarsman at the stern. They use short, T-handle paddles, digging into the water, and teamwork and camaraderie are strong.
In what will promise to be a fiercely competitive Sport Division and widely attended Community Division, the event offers racing for established and entry-level teams alike looking to gain competitive experience by competing in a world-class sports facility. Nathan Benderson Park features a 400 acre lake built to FISA specifications. In 2017, the multi-use sports venue hosted the World Rowing Championships, so teams can expect the best racing conditions come race day!
Race distances include 200m and 500m events for Sport and Community Division teams, with the addition of the ever-thrilling 2k pursuit for Sport Division teams only.
Festival grounds offer something for everyone. Spectators can take in the action and follow the excitement of racing while learning about the sport of dragon boat. Another point of interest is the Health and Wellness Village, where participants and spectators can receive products and services to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. Families are invited to bring their children to come spend time at the races and enjoy the outdoors.
Heats and finals will be from 8 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., and categories include “community” and “sport” for women’s teams, mixed men’s-women’s teams and breast cancer survivor teams.
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