Introduction

Dragon Boating is the fastest growing water sport in the world, and is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get a tremendous workout, and make new friends. The sport began in China nearly 2,500 years ago; however, it wasn’t until Hong Kong held the first international dragon boat race in 1976, that the sport began to spread internationally. Today, it is estimated that there are over 50 million people worldwide in over 60 countries who participate in dragon boating.

The boat is a 40-foot, canoe-like vessel that holds 20 paddlers. Quite often, especially at races, you’ll notice that each boat is adorned with a dragon head and tail. The dragon is a reflection of Chinese belief that dragons symbolize protection from evil and disease.

About the ORC-Dragon Boat Club

Since its first paddlers and club teams were organized in October of 2009, the Orlando Rowing Club (ORC) has worked in partnership with the Orlando Health Foundation and Women Playing For T.I.M.E. to create the Orlando Rowing Club-Dragon Boat Club (ORC-DBC). Since then, dragon boating has quickly become one of the most popular and recreational sports in the Orlando community.

We are dedicated to raising money for M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, and the mission of the ORC-DBC is the following:

- To promote and develop the fun, as well as competitive, sport of dragon boating.

- To promote cross-cultural understanding through the sport of dragon boating and community outreach programs.

So, who paddles at the ORC-DBC?

The answer: everybody! As long as you’re 14 years or older, you’re welcome to join us on the water.

In fact, the DBC is made up of men and women of most ages and all fitness levels. One of the reasons dragon boating is such a great community sport is because it offers all people, regardless of background or fitness level, the opportunity to participate, either competitively or for fun.

Watch this video to learn more!

Practice Schedule & Signup

Dragon boat practices typically take place at least three times a week. Practices are open to all individuals, ages 14 and up. Depending upon your schedule, you can sign up for as many practices as your time allows.

A link to our current practice calendar and schedule is available at Dragon Boat Calendar. Please note: Practices labeled "DBC" are our open, club practices that are available to all paddlers.

For information on how to sign up for your first open, club practice with us, please visit How to Become a Paddler.

Information about Club, Corporate and Community Teams

Club Teams

The DBC currently has two club teams: Warriors on Water (WOW) and ScORCh.

WOW is the club’s first breast cancer survivor team, and has traveled across North America to compete. WOW practices on a continuous basis, and schedules its own practices. To learn more about WOW, please visit http://www.warriorsonwater.org.

ScORCh, which is a team made up of men and women club members, also competes at local and international festivals (races). However, ScORCh is formed on a festival-to-festival basis and only practices in advance of upcoming festivals. ScORCh practices are different than our club practices. To learn more about ScORCh, please email Doug at orlandodragonboat@gmail.com.

All people who paddle at the club are welcome to race on a ScORCh team, but there is no pressure to do so.

Corporate and Community Teams

We already have several corporate and community teams that practice with us, and there are many benefits to forming a team.

One of the primary benefits of dragon boating is team-building, as success is determined by 20 paddlers all working together in synchronicity. Do you have a health and wellness plan for your office? Dragon boating is also great exercise, and many corporate teams use it to promote health and wellness, as well as team-building.

For more information on pricing and getting your team on the water, please visit Dragon Boat Club Services.

Also, please see Upcoming Events for a list of upcoming festivals. Most festivals are open to all teams, regardless of experience or skill level. A festival provides a great opportunity to form your team, and then practice at the DBC in advance of the festival.

Quite simply, the DBC is here to help you preprare, so that you you can enjoy a day of racing and relaxing when the festival rolls around.

Paddles Up! Quick Announcements from the DBC

Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival 2010

The Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival, held on October 16, 2010, at Downtown Disney, had its best festival yet, thanks in part to the Orlando community and the DBC.

Highlights:

- Approximately $50,000 was raised for Women Playing For T.I.M.E. and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando (The City of Orlando, whose team practiced at the DBC, raised $22,000!)

- Over 70 teams competed, which was the largest turn-out yet; several of the teams had practiced at the DBC and were coached by DBC coaches.

- We had two ScORCh teams for the first time, ScORCh Black and ScORCh Red, and both teams had strong showings: ScORCh Red took home FIRST PLACE in their respective division; ScORCh Black competed in the toughest division yet for a ScORCh team, as a result of good qualifying times.

- WOW also had two teams for the first time (WOW I and II) and were among the teams to take part in a special ceremony to honor breast cancer survivors and remember the loved ones we have lost.

Steerspersons Needed!

Being a steersperson is a lot of fun, and, if you are already a paddler, it can offer another perspective on dragon boating. As they say with any sport, the more you know about a sport, the better you can become.

If you are interested in learning how to steer a dragon boat, please contact Doug at orlandodragonboat@gmail.com.

Dragon Boat Videos and Photos

Dragon Boat Festival Video
Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Festival Photos (Tampa, Fl.)
Central Florida's First Pink Dragon Boat Launch Party Growing Bolder Video (Orlando, Fl.)
ORC Dragon Boat MiniCamp Video (Orlando, Fl.)
Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival Growing Bolder Video (Orlando, Fl.)
Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival GWN Video (Orlando, Fl.)
Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival Photos (Orlando, Fl.)