Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon Boat Racers

What are the Dragon Boat Races?

Although Chinese Dragon Boat Racing dates back more than 2,000 years, it is one of the fastest growing water sports today. Its canoe-like boats hold 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersman, with colorful dragon heads and tails on either end. Popular in Asia, Europe, Canada and the U.S. West Coast, the sport is becoming increasingly popular in on the East Coast as well. Dragon boat racing made it's Olympic debut as a demonstration sport at the 2000 summer Games in Sydney, Australia.

According to the Unites States Dragon Boat Federation (USDBF), there are over 50,000 paddlers who race dragon boats in the U.S. alone and over 50 million participants worldwide.

Catholic Charities got its start by protecting immigrant children who were left at Baltimore's harbor. During our 75th anniversary in 1998, we went back to the harbor to celebrate with this unique event that promotes protection, teamwork and harmony. The event was so popular within the Baltimore community that we decided to make it a premier biennial corporate event. Our next Dragon Boat Races take place in September, 2010.