Heike Helbig’s design has been selected for the official Dragonboat Race Day 2016 commemorative shirt by DragonBoat Beaufort and the Beaufort Arts Council.

Her innovative design celebrates Beaufort and the Lowcountry while paying homage to the dragon, the symbol of the upcoming Dragonboat Race Day on Saturday, Sept. 3.

Dragonboat Race Day will be held at Henry C. Chambers Park in downtown Beaufort.

Over the last three years, this event has become increasingly popular among locals and out-of-towners alike.

The 2015 Dragonboat Race Day drew nearly 700 paddlers, 32 teams and thousands of spectators to the Beaufort seawall. This will be the fourth annual event for the nonprofit organization.

Anyone can form a dragonboat team to compete at Dragonboat Race Day 2016. A dragonboat team consists of 20 paddlers, two alternates (recommended) and one drummer. All teams will be trained on how to safely and successfully paddle a dragonboat with experienced coaches and boat steerers.

On race day, teams will paddle in three races competing for medals.

In the past, teams have included civic clubs, community neighborhoods, local businesses, cancer-survivors, schools and hospitals.

Last year, teams raised over $65,000, which is used to support those impacted by cancer in Beaufort County.

DragonBoat Beaufort awards outreach grants to local cancer patients to assist with specific needs they are unable to afford or for which they lack coverage.

For more information or to register a team, visit www.DragonboatRaceDay.com or email info@DragonBoatRaceDay.com.

<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dragonboat.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-29086"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-29086" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/dragonboat-1001x1024.jpg" alt="dragonboat" width="1001" height="1024" /></a>