Dragon Boating Can Be A Strong Team Building Experience

Dragon boat racing is an ancient sport that is thought to have originated in China in about 500 B.C. It was originally used in festivals and was thought to bring luck when celebrating the planting of the summer rice crop. Dragon boating gets its name from the particular shape of the boat. The boat itself is a long craft, shaped somewhat like a canoe that holds 22 people. The head and rear of the boat are carved to mimic a dragon's head and tail, and the body of the boat is painted in reds, gold and other colors to mimic the dragon's coloration or scales. The crew of the boat consists of twenty rowers or paddlers, one drummer, and one steersman. The paddlers sit in the mid section of the boat, facing toward the front of the boat, and each have one large paddle. The drummer sits at the front of the boat, facing the paddlers, and pounds out a rhythm for the paddlers to row to. This role is considered to not only be beneficial to the paddlers, but also important when observing the ceremony of this traditional sport. Sometimes, instead of a drum, a gong will be used to sound out the rhythm of the paddling. The steersman stands at the back of the boat, facing the front, and uses a long paddle to steer the boat. The paddle acts as a rudder would in a larger boat. Although the sport of dragon boat racing originated in China, it is now practiced all over the world. Some areas still consider a ceremonial event to be held during festivals or important times of the year, while other areas simply see it as an exciting competitive sport. Because the paddlers, drummer and steersman must work in concert in order to win a race, or even propel themselves very far, the sport can be a real team building experience. Getting to know the other people on the team can mean a better rhythm, as each person uses their strengths and encourages their team, which can lead to a better time or more wins for the team. There are two kinds of dragon boat races held in modern times. These are called sport races and festival races. Festival races are usually about 500 meters long, but because they are informal, the distance and rules of the event can vary from place to place. Sport races have stricter rules and are held at distances of 200, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 meters. The International Dragon Boat Federation presides over these competitive races. Longer races, up to 100 kilometers or more, are also held in some parts of the world. Dragon boat racing is a great way to get outdoors, get a bit of exercise, and meet people. The electric excitement of the sport is captivating and invigorating. Dragon Boating is a great team building activity, it is both physically exhausting and rewarding. GWN Dragon Boat 577 Wellington Street West Toronto, ON M5V 1G3‎ (416) 962-8899 provides corporate Dragon Boating events as well as official Dragon Boating fesitval. For more information be sure to click here.http://ezinearticles.com/?Dragon-Boating-Can-Be-A-Strong-Team-Building-Experience&id=7259894