Cram all of us together in one big boat, and you might think that Edmonton’s first LGBT dragon boat team is having a blast – and we are – but this is one team that isn’t just splashing around.
I’ve had the good fortune of paddling with the Flaming Dragons since the team formed last summer, just in time for the 2009 dragon boat season. At the time, several members had never set foot inside a dragon boat and were just looking to “get their feet wet”. Now, a short year later, after countless gruelling practices, we’ve found ourselves competing in the top ranks.
Every year, Edmonton plays host to one of the biggest dragon boat festivals in Canada, and during the 2010 festival the Flaming Dragons placed in the top ten out of nearly 50 teams. Our team coach, Warren Becker, an experienced dragon boater and former member of the Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival Association (EDBFA), couldn’t be more proud.
“I’m overwhelmed. I was surprised to see us place as high as we did. We had a full season of very dedicated paddlers and regular practices, and that made a big impact.”
Such a dramatic improvement over last year’s performance, which was respectable for a novice team, took many of us by surprise. Gina Johnson, a second year paddler with the Flaming Dragons, was glad to see our hard work and determination pay off.
“We moved up four levels and we still ended up on the podium. We still came home with hardware and that feels great.”
If you’re ever out for a summer evening stroll in Edmonton’s river valley, you may have seen dragon boat teams out on the North Saskatchewan perfecting their stroke. One of the fastest growing team sports in the world, dragon boat racing requires endurance, strength, skill and impeccable timing.
A dragon boat is a long human-powered boat usually made of teak wood. A full boat typically holds 20-24 paddlers, depending on the size. Dragon boaters must not only master the special strokes designed to propel the boat forward, but also synchronize the timing of their strokes with those of their teammates.
This year, we found ourselves paddling neck-and-neck against our competitors in more than one race. Although 500 metres upstream seems like a relatively short distance, getting to the finish line is not as easy as it looks and requires all major muscles in the body. A good race time is typically two and half minutes depending on river conditions.
The Flaming Dragons are an even mix of guys and gals who know how to have fun on and off the water. Many of us joined the team looking for a new recreational activity, and have made great new friends and gained a love of the sport.
“It’s a unique sport,” says Johnson. “You have to be a little bit athletic. You have to work hard. I’m a very competitive person and I needed something to fulfill my competitive nature. I think I found it.”
The Flaming Dragons have their sights set on competing at the Vancouver 2011 Outgames.
If you’re interested in joining the team or becoming a sponsor, please contact us. The Flaming Dragons are part of Team Edmonton, a volunteer-run, non-profit society that provides members and supporters of the LGBT community with access to well-organized and fun sporting events and other recreational activities. 