Dragon Boat Racing Comes to Buffalo Niagara on June 16, 2012
Article Date: May 21 2012
Related Document: Hope-Chest-Dragon-Boat.pdf
Dragon boating - the fastest growing international team water sport and in line to be an Olympic event - will debut at Buffalo's Gallagher Beach on Saturday, June 16, 2012. To date, 20 teams will take part in this intense competition that has 21 paddlers in each boat. Organizers are stressing the bi-national border location in the hopes that Canadians - many of whom are dragon boaters - will heighten the competition by entering teams.
"Dragon boat racing has a huge following so we jumped on the chance to host a bi-national competition in Buffalo, especially as our community celebrates the War of 1812 bicentennial. We've had a great response but we have room for more teams," stated Laurie Irish Jones, event chair and board member of Hope Chest, the sponsoring organization. Hope Chest provides exercise and paddling programs for breast cancer survivors and this event is its signature fundraiser.
Hope Chest is working with Mike Kerkman, a Canadian with a company now headquartered in Tampa, FL and an internationally recognized dragon boat organizer who produces races throughout the country. "This sport is on fire. Last year's IDBF World Championship in Tampa attracted 2000 competitors and tens of thousands of spectators. Prince Willam and Princess Kate's 2011 North American visit included each of them participating in dragon boat races in Prince Edward Island and California," stated Kerkman.
The Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival is open to the public and free of charge. The races happen two to six teams at a time. The day concludes with two finalists competing for top honors. US Congressman Brian Higgins will present the trophy at 4:30 pm at Gallagher Beach.
The following teams have enrolled: Buffalo Fire Department, L& M Financial, Wegman's, Larwood Pharmacy, Sun ORchard, Aquasol, Buffalo Police Department,
Buffalo Sports Commission, Tim Horton's, Sacred Heart Academy, The Gym, Insurance Club of Buffalo, CBRE and Stamm Law Firm. Interested teams can sign up by going to hopechestbuffalo.org or calling (716)-759-1176.
Team Race Entry Fee:
Corporate Team: $1,200.00
Community/Other Team: $850.00
Boats are provided
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8:00 AM |
Registration Begins |
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8:30 AM |
Blessing of the Boats |
|
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Morning Races |
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12:00 PM |
Awakening the Dragon Ceremony (Dotting of the Dragon Eyes) |
|
12:15 PM |
Breast Cancer Flower and Heart Ceremony |
|
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Afternoon Races |
Winning trophy presented at 4:30.
