On Saturday, July 25th dragons will invade Beaufort for the Annual Dragon Boat Race Day in conjunction with the 60th Beaufort Water Festival! There will be a maximum of 30 teams competing for medals during the day, with each team racing three times. The teams will be provided with a dragon boat, personal floatation devices and paddles.

Dragon boats originated in China more than 2000 years ago. They are about 42-feet in length and weigh roughly 2,000 pounds. The crew consists of 22 members: 20 paddlers two to a seat, a drummer and a steerer.

So what makes for a good dragon boat team? Ideally, it is having all 20 paddlers paddling in sync. The paddle speed can range from 70-90 strokes per minute, give or take a bit. Think great aerobic workout. A non-competitive boat will look like an old caterpillar going down the river and won’t move fast at all. But nobody really cares. It is just plain fun.

Teams can come from anywhere. Neighborhoods, clubs, dog park friends-- any group can all sign up and compete. This is a wonderful team building opportunity within your company and great way to support the local community at the same time.

Dragon Boat Beaufort is an organization helping cancer survivors hit the RESET button on their lives by providing a stimulus for them to take control of their body and mind by leaving “cancer on the dock.” How? They provide cancer survivors with the opportunity to heal and regain physical and psychological strength and wellness through the camaraderie and competition of dragon boat paddling and racing.

Money raised at the Dragon Boat Race Day goes to support cancer patients and survivors with needs not covered by usual means. Examples include paying for patients’ gasoline so they can afford to drive to medical treatments, delivering food to recovering cancer patients, paying for nutritional supplements, daycare, medical supplies, dental work and stipends toward medical insurance.

The Dragon Boat Beaufort Fund is housed under the prestigious Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, a 501(c) 3 non- profit organization. For additional information contact Dragon Boat Beaufort at 843-473-4477 or email them at info@dragonboatraceday.com.