18 Paddlers, A Drummer And A Flag Catcher On Board As Dragon Boat Races Begin Saturday

The Awakening the Dragon Ceremony at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 9 at Pottawatamie Park marks the beginning of these exciting races throughout the weekend. Races will be held continuously from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Race times may vary depending on race results, weather and other factors. The event will close with an Awards Ceremony on Sunday, June 10.

Teams are made up of 20 members, including 18 paddlers, one drummer and one flag catcher. Two boats at a time race down the 300 meter course on the Fox River. Teamwork is the key as the paddlers move to the beat of the drummer until the catcher captures the flag. Victory is often a matter of inches.  

The spirited team competition is officially sanctioned by the American Dragon Boat Association which provides the boats. 

According to the ADBA website, the boat races represent the Legend of Chu Yuan.

"Over 2000 years ago Chu Yuan, poet, warrior and loyal aide to the emperor, fell victim to plots and deception and found himself out of favor at court," the site says.

"When the old emperor died, Chu Yuan was unjustly banished and wandered the countryside composing poems he hoped would be heard and heeded by the new emperor. His inconsolable desolation grew until one day he threw himself into the Mi Lo River. His devoted followers, learning of his death, rushed to search for his body. Fearing the fish might devour the body; they beat their paddles on the water and banged drums and gongs to frighten the fish. Today, athletes from around the world meet to commemorate Yuan's sacrifice for honor and justice in the form of Dragon Boat Racing."