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Dragon boat racing, is an ancient Chinese tradition and sport with over 2000 years of history. Today there are two forms of Dragon boat racing; sport (held under IDBF rules) and festival (a much more informal type of race).

Popularity
Since the formation of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) Dragon boat racing has become amongst the fastest growing of team water sports, with tens of thousands of participants in around 60 countries across the world.

Location
Dragon boat racing can now be seen all over the country on canals, reservoirs, lakes and docks on most weekends in the summer.

Age
Dragon boat racing has a junior division for ages of between 12 and 18 years, this division is actively being encouraged. Younger children may paddle on mixed age boats, when accompanied by a responsible adult.

Ability
Dragon boat racing is recognised for its team building crew camaraderie, and the strength and endurance fostered amongst regular participants, It has also become very popular as a corporate and charitable event.

Description
Dragon boats are characterized by a dragons head on the bow and tail on the stern of the boat. Also the rhythmic beating of a drum, by a drummer to indicate the timing and frequency of paddling strokes. Although a dragon boat is not a type of canoe, they are both paddle-craft. Dragon boat paddlers sit, crouch or stand facing the direction of travel. Crews can be either or mixed sex and contain between ten and fifty paddlers plus a drummer and helmsman. depending on the size of boat,

Dedication
Although to many dragon boat racing is a one off social or corporate team building event or even an annual fun festival event. To others it is a serious sport with all of the training disciplines and dedication of other competitive team sports.

Potential
The British dragon-boat association runs a national league with two divisions Premier and Standard plus a junior division. The BDA runs a two day event for the national cup, held at the end of the season. All crews that have competed are invited.

Closely Related Activities
Kayaking and Canadian Canoeing 748.

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

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