Dragonboat: the "Red Dragon"

Dragonboat racing has become increasingly popular in recent years.  Dragonboat racing originated in China, but now is a worldwide sport with participants ranging from community and corporate teams racing locally, to highly practiced teams competing internationally.

The unique form of the Dragonboat is a result of the original boats being constructed of long planks, and the "W" shaped helped add stiffness to the boat, and facilitated joining the planks.  It was later discovered that the "W" shaped bottom helped trap air under the boat once it was up to speed, resulting in the boat riding on a small cushion of air, almost as if it were planing.  The air reduced drag and resulted in the boat going faster.

Dragonboats are crewed by up to 22 paddlers, and a steersman, and in a race, will also have a drummer sitting on a special seat in the bow, keeping stroke.  As the paddlers are sitting very close together, and low to the water surface, the stroke of a Dragonboater is short and choppy.  The paddle is kept nearly vertical throughout, being brought forward by the paddler leaning forward for the plant, and pulling with their back.  The paddles are short, "T" gripped, and have a small blade to enable a fast stroke rate.  A sloppy crew is a slow crew, a well coordinated team is a fast crew.  The steersman is critical to the success of a team.  The highly rockered ends of the Dragonboat allow it to go off course easily, and in a race, if this is not corrected immediately, the boat can veer off course in a catastrophic style.

Dragonboats are typically 44'-49" long, and 44"- 48" wide.  During races, the open end is used to hold a decorative Dragon head at the bow and a tail at the stern.  Races are held festival style.

For more photos of the building of this boat, please see the Dragonboat Building Photo gallery.