Boats from a Chinese myth
Traditional in Chinese culture, Dragon Boats are long boats built from a single hollowed-out tree trunk, and paddled by numerous crew members. With a dragon's head at the bow and a tail at the stern, they have been raced for centuries. Fishermen would gather for Tuen Ng, or Dragon Boat Festival, in a symbolic attempt to save a historical figure from over 2,000 years ago, Qu Yuan, a dignitary who committed suicide by throwing himself into the water to be eaten by fish after unfounded accusations of corruption. Every year around June, races are held to commemorate the event.
A well-defined federation and boats
In the 20th century, dragon boating began to take on a more structured form, attracting sportsmen and women from all over Asia and beyond. According to the International Dragon Boat Federation, founded in 1991, there are over 50 million participants in China, as well as over 300,000 in Europe and 90,000 in North America.
The racing rules define a gauge with different boat categories. These boats are compulsorily built without a clean bow, with sharp chines, minimum freeboard and pointed fore and aft shapes. Traditionally made of teak, they are now also available in composite. Ranging in length from 8 to over 18 meters, they can carry crews of up to 50 rowers, with single paddles, accompanied by a drum or gong to set the rhythm, and a coxswain using a long oar.
Festival in Hong Kong, and Paris...
The biggest dragon boat festival is held in Hong Kong, usually in June. It features impressive races, with hundreds of boats on the water.
For the first time in 2023, a festival is also being held in France, at the Boucle de Seine leisure island in the Yvelines region on June 25.
