DRAGON BOAT 2008

By Janet McLucas

 

Greetings fellow Fall Liners!  It’s that time of year again to start planning for the 2008 Philadelphia Dragon Boat Festival!  As co-captains, Steve Archibald and myself are very excited about making this an even better festival than last year! 

 

The festival consists of about 140 teams that will paddle down the Schuykill River in a 3-minute race.. Each team has 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson in a boat.  Every team competes in 3-heats in respective categories throughout the day.  Tents are setup along the river with plenty of room to view the races, barbeque and socialize.  Last year even the Mummers made an appearance!

 

Fall Line is looking for 20-25 dedicated paddlers and 2- drummers to practice and train as a team for the all day festival on Saturday, October 4th, 2008.  Members of the team must be willing to work hard and be committed to attending all scheduled practices.  We will have one land practice and at least 3- water practices along the Schuylkill River. And of course, happy hour will after each practice.

 

The cost is $100 per person.  This includes registration fee, tent fee, water practices and a barbeque on race day.  Money is non refundable unless you find a replacement paddler.  We’re already open and taking sign-ups are filling up fast.

 

FLSC Dragon Boat schedule is as follows:

 

Table closes for sign up                                                 Tuesday June 10   7:00 pm

 

Initial meeting and general overview @ E&C                  Wednesday, June 18   7:00 pm

 

Practice at Boat House Row                                          Wednesday, July 16   7:00 pm

Happy hour to follow practice

 

Practice at Boat House Row                                          Wednesday, August 20   7:00 pm

Happy hour to follow practice

 

Practice at Boat House Row                                          Sunday, September 21  2:00 pm

Happy hour to follow practice

 

Festival Race Day                                                         Saturday, October 4   7am – 4pm

 

For more information check out the website at www.philadragonboatfestival.com or contact Janet McLucas at 856-816-6568.

 

Stop by the D-boat to sign up at any general meeting in May or the beginning of June.  See you then!