There are over 900 members in the California Dragon Boat Association cdba.org and many competitors and participants.  From young to old, all ages can participate in the exciting water sport. All you need is a dragon boat.

Dragon Boating-  For racing events, dragon boats are always rigged with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails and are required to carry a large drum aboard. At other times the decorative regalia is usually removed, although the drum often remains aboard for training purposes. The most common competition includes 20 paddlers per dragon boat that has a drummer and a steers person. The goal is simple: paddle to cross the finish faster than the competition. It's a team sport in its purest form that  encompasses the elements of power, speed, synchronization and endurance. The popularity comes from the fact that the sport can accommodate a wide spectrum of skill levels ranging from novice to competitive. Youth dragon boat races and teams over age 70 compete. It's great fun, even if you don't win.


Races 2012:

2011 San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival Sept.15-16, 2012,  10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Treasure Island, San Francisco sfdragonboat.com

Said to be the largest dragon boat festival in the U.S., in addition to dragon boat races, the event includes vendors, foods, characters, choo-choo train rides for kids and entertainment all day.

CDBA College Cup Championship
Lake Merced, San Francisco  sfdragonboat.com


2012 Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival July 28-29, 2012
Time: 10 a.m.
 Marine Stadium, Long Beach, CA  ladragonboat.com

In addition to hosting one of the largest dragon boat competitions in California, there will be Chinese traditional art demonstrations, Chinese Acrobats,  traditional dance, hip hop, music and martial arts performances.  Come join the fun, food and excitement.

2nd Annual ICDBF International Collegiate Dragon Boat Federation Championships  July 27, 2012

10-man boats,  ladragonboat.com
Marine Stadium in Long Beach

Lake Gregory, Crestline Dragon Boat Races August 18-19, 2012

Races go from 10 a.m. to 3:30. Cost is $10 per boat / person, teams of 12. lgdragonboat.org

San Diego Dragon Boat Race October 20-21, 2012
Mission Bay, San Diego, CA. sddragonboatrace.com
20 team races

Clubs:
DragonMax is a Dragon Boat Club that practices year-round in Berkeley, California. It is sponsored by the Berkeley Racing Canoe Center (BRCC) dragonmax.org

LA Harbor Dragon Boat Club laharbordragonboat.org

Cancelled:  Dragon Boat Races at Lotus Festival in Echo Park, Los Angeles in July due to lack of participation and funds.

Dragon boat racing is one of the earliest known forms of boat racing and is celebrated at festivals and races throughout the world. Californians not only race on their home shores and in California's lakes, but the more serious paddlers also compete in national and international contests.  The roots of dragon boat  racing go back over 2,000 years to the southern provinces of China.

The most popular legend that is recognized in many celebrations surrounds Qu Yuan, a scholar and advisor to the emperor of the Chu Kingdom, who jumped into the Mei Lo River in despair and protest against  government corruption. Local fishermen raced out in their boats to save him. They beat drums and pounded their paddles on the river's waters and threw rice dumplings wrapped in lotus leafs into the river to distract the fish from eating from Qu Yuan's body. Dragon boating evolved from the re-enactment of this legend at annual festivals.