York Dragon Boat Race
ENG1 Team 11 project
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ENG1 Team 11 project
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Dragon boat racing is said to originate from the legend of people paddling out on boats to seek the body of patriotic poet Qu Yuan (343–278 BC), who drowned himself in a river. Dragon boat racing is the most important activity during the Dragon Boat Festival. The wooden boats are shaped and decorated in the form of a Chinese dragon. The boat size varies by region, generally it is about 20–35 meters in length and needs 30–60 people to paddle it. During the races, dragon boat teams paddle harmoniously and hurriedly, accompanied by the sound of beating drums. It is said that the winning team will have good luck and a happy life in the following year.
Since 2003, York has its own annual Dragon Boat Challenge on the River Ouse, on the course from Scarborough Bridge to Lendal Bridge. Every year, many teams compete to be the fastest dragon on the river and win the gold medal. York Rotary Club has been running Dragon Boat Challenge for 14 years and raised over £940,000 for 170 York and Yorkshire charities.
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