Kenosha Area Dragon Boat Festival

Dragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Over 50 million people around the world have participated in this unique cultural event featuring lots of action. All ages, skill levels and physiques can paddle, making it the ultimate team building sport, requiring paddling in sync, more than power to win.

This year's festival is expected to attract more than a 1,000 racers and thousands of spectators, drawing visitors from all over the area. This event is organized by Pan Am Dragon Boat. Pan Am has over 50 years of dragon boating experience between its owners and staff. Pan Am has partnered with the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin - Community Services. As a partner, Children’s is managing a pledging competition with great prizes.

At a glance:

• No experience necessary!
• 20 paddlers and a drummer are all you need to form a team
• Great for corporate team building
• Dragon Boat Racing dates back to a more than 2,300 year old tradition from Ancient China

FAST FACTS FOR FORMING A DRAGON BOAT TEAM:

THE DRAGON BOAT:

• Sport stems from an ancient Chinese legend
• Each Dragon Boat is 42 feet long
• 10 rows seat 20 paddlers
• A steersperson uses a 9 foot oar as a rudder, standing in the stern
• A drummer sits in a seat at the bow, facing the crew

ROSTER:

• 20 Paddlers, minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 female paddlers must be in the boat at all times
• 1 drummer
• 5 alternate paddlers allowed
• All participants must be 12 years of age or older

COST: $975 Corporate Team entry fee or $750 Club/Community Team entry fee includes:

• 1 practice
• Boat, Paddles, PFDs
• Steersperson

PRACTICES:

• Registration includes one practice
• Practices will include the basics of paddling, and the basics of racing
• Additional practices if requested are $100 each

ATHLETE’S VILLAGE:

• Each registered team receives a 10’x10’ space in the Athlete’s Village at Lake Andrea, included with their registration fee.
• Teams are required to provide their own refreshments, food and shade. Tents can be rented.

EQUIPMENT:

• Paddles, life vests, boats, drums, and steerspersons will be provided to each team at practice and on the day of the race
• Teams that bring their own equipment must use the regulation equipment mandated by the International Dragon Boat Federation

RACE DAY:

• Each team will race in 3 heats
• The course is 350 meters in a straight line with 4 lanes
• Each team will have 60-90 minutes in between heats
• An optional 2000m race will be offered to the top 6-8 teams at the end of the day

See video from the 2012 event: Clip 1 | Clip 2