The Blazing Paddles Dragon Boat team is having a kick-off picnic on Sunday April 29 @ 11:30 a.m. at Mother's Beach in Long Beach. All are invited to come and join the team, or just mingle and find out what it's all about.
The team practices for one hour each week at Mother's Beach in Long Beach. They hope to start practicing May 20, maybe the 13th, depending on finances and group enthusiasm. In addition to weekly training, the team has fun community gatherings such as a post-season party and a Chinese New Year Party. This Kick Off Picnic will start the events for the season.
On the day of the picnic, there will be a spring race happening in the Marine Stadium so new people will get a chance to see what they are in for. Parking shouldn't be a problem, but If the Mother's Beach lot is full, there is a free lot over by the Boy Scout building. Bring your check books so we can register and if necessary pay for extra practices.
Blazing Paddles is an non-competitive dragon boat paddling team open to families with children of all ages, waiting families, siblings, friends and extended family. The original members are families that have adopted children from China. Over the years the team has recruited extended family members and friends. The extended team ranges in age from 3 to 75. They have a mixed coed team and a women's team. One day they hope to have a kids' team.
The culminating event is the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival which takes place the weekend of July 28-29 and involves the larger pan-Asian community. In addition to the races, an assortment of cultural events are held throughout the weekend. The festival is free. If you are unable to become a member of the Blazing Paddles team, you are still encouraged to come cheer them on during the festival.
WHEN
This coming Sunday, April 29, 2012 - 11:30am - 1:30pm
WHERE
Marine Park (Mother's Beach)
Appian Way below 2nd St
Long Beach, CA, 90802
Map and directions: http://1.usa.gov/ID29Z9
Contact Debbie Henderson (debjhender1@aol.com) or Maggie Davenport (pdavenport10@cox.net) for more information.