A team paddling sport raced in a long ornate canoe with a drummer, helmsman, and 20 paddlers stroking in unison.
Origin and rules
Dragon boat racing began more than 2000 years ago along China’s Yangtze and Pearl rivers, with origins tied to the death of poet Qu Yuan and the Duanwu Festival. The International Dragon Boat Federation was founded in 1991 and standardised the modern racing format.
How it plays
A 12.5-metre dragon boat carries 20 paddlers, a drummer at the bow setting the cadence, and a helmsman steering from the stern. Standard distances are 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 metres. Crews finish in synchronised power strokes, with the drum dictating pace.
Competition
The IDBF Club Crew World Championships, World Nations Championships, and major festivals in Hong Kong and Macau are flagship events. China, Canada, Germany, the United States, and the Philippines field strong crews. Dragon boat is not Olympic but is a Universiade sport.
Find more sports by letter
Dragon Boat Racing starts with D and ends with G. Browse other sports along the same letter.
Sports that contain a letter from "Dragon Boat Racing":