OOCL Dragons participate in the San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival
On October 5, Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay was dressed in color. Specially noticeable were the OOCL Dragons in their red, white and black team colors cheering Go Go Double O!! The event was the 13th Annual Kaiser Permanente San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival!
It was weekend of world-class dragon boat racing, spectacular cultural performances, and fun-filled activities for the whole family and the largest competitive dragon boat festival in the United States.
This year, over 100 dragon boat teams and 3,000 dragon boat paddlers from across North America raced the 500 and 300 meter course. Dragon boat teams range from novice to competitive skill level.
The OOCL Dragons were on the Novice team representing local Bay Area corporations. Recreational and competitive teams participated from all over the United States, Canada, and Taiwan in this years championships.
For those unfamiliar with the sport, dragon boating simply put, is a boat of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steers person paddling to cross the finish faster than their competition. It's a team sport in its purest form that encompasses the elements of power, speed, synchronization and endurance.
With its beginnings in Southern China, dragon boating today is the fastest growing international team water sport. Each year, race festivals are held around the world in Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe and the United States, one of the largest festivals in the North America is held right here in the San Francisco Bay Area
Dragon boat racing is one of the earliest known forms of boat racing and is celebrated at festivals and races throughout the world. This mythical celebration is a symbol of Chinese culture and spirit and is one of the three largest festivals in China. The roots of dragon boat racing go back over 2,000 years to the southern provinces of China.
Legend has it that Qu Yuan, a scholar and advisor to the emperor of the Chu Kingdom, jumped into the Mei Lo (Mi Luo) River in despair and protest against government corruption. Local fishermen raced out in their boats to save him. They beat drums and pounded their paddles on the river's waters and threw rice dumplings wrapped in silk into the river to distract the water dragons and keep them from eating from Qu Yuan's body. Dragon boating evolved from the re-enactment of this legend at annual festivals.
Click below to watch the OOCL Team in Action!!
Video coverage of the OOCL Dragons paddling in the bay.
