Are you ready to paddle?  Come and have a go at a unique blend of sport, culture and celebration on Wellington’s waterfront.

Dragon boating is easily one of the most popular activities on the waterfront – and one of the most visible. Most week-nights during summer the Lagoon area is full of dragon boaters and their boats preparing to get on to the water.

Dragon boating’s origins date back to 400BC when according to legend, the Chinese Statesman and revered poet Ch'u Yuan drowned himself in the Mi Lo River to protest the corrupt regime of the Ch'u Dynasty. Local Fisherman raced out in their boats to save him, but were too late. To prevent his body being eaten by fish they beat their paddles furiously on the water and threw rice as a sacrifice to his spirit.

Today his death is commemorated each year by the racing of dragon-headed boats at spectacular festivals around the world.

Dragon Boat racing is a dynamic, interesting and challenging sport which has survived the rise and fall of many a corporate team-building activity! It increases fitness, provides a great opportunity to meet new people, get fit and bond with your team-mates – plus it’s heaps of fun.

Wellington’s spectacular Dragon Boat Festival is held annually in March . During the weekend over 40 open and corporate teams and more than 30 schools race to determine the champions and more than 30,000 spectators regularly turn up to cheer them on.

For more information on the Wellington Dragon Boat Festival and how you can join a team, please contact:

Jan Domney
Festival Manager
Wellington Dragon Boat Festival
C/o Fergs Kayaks
Shed 6
Queens Wharf
Wellington

Ph: (04) 471 0205
Fax: (04) 471 0495

Email: webmail@dragonboat.org.nz
Web: www.dragonboat.org.nz