Dragons have been typecast as villains for centuries. Sure, the fire breath isn’t the most cuddly of characteristics, but did anyone stop to think that they might just suffer from indigestion? Unlike Western fairy tale creators, Chinese culture reveres dragons as divine creatures that bring prosperity and good fortune. And what better way to celebrate a symbol of power and excellence than by mounting its head on a boat?
Dragon-boat festivals were first held on the fifth day of the Chinese calendar’s fifth lunar month to commemorate the death of poet and philosopher Qu Yang, who jumped in the Mei Lo River to protest the corrupt regime in the fourth century BCE. The festivals were re-enactments of local fishermen racing out to save Qu Yang.
Today, dragon-boat festivals have evolved into competitive races in more than 40 countries and, last weekend, 180 local and international teams competed in the 20th annual Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival.
Each team consists of 20 paddlers, one drummer to set the rhythm of the strokes and one person to steer the boat. “It’s about team work,” says Mary Liu, a coordinator of this year’s race who also competed. “You have to [move] together for the boat to glide.”
Liu explains that back muscles — rather than arm muscles — must be used to drive the paddles from front to back in the water. “The first time I did it I thought, ‘My gosh, when is this going to end?’” she says. “That two minutes and 34 seconds is eternity.”
But like any other physically taxing sport, Liu says, crossing the finish line yields a feeling of accomplishment.
Aside from cardiovascular and muscular strength, dragon boating requires commitment. Liu and her team gathered at Sunnyside beach for eight one-hour practices before the race, and elite teams will train year-round in indoor pools.
But dragon boating is not only for the strongest of backs. Every year the Toronto festival draws teams of seniors, mentally and physically challenged youth and cancer survivors.
“Anybody and everybody we have,” Liu says. “It’s a lot of fun.”
For those looking to get into it and start training for next year’s festival, The National Dragon Boat Club (1755 Lakeshore W., 416-533-0678) offers boat rentals, coaching and practice time bookings between April and September. For prices and race information visit www.nationaldragonboat.com.