Boat Seats Posts
Dragon Boat Race
Mapping the origins of Dragon Boat
As the name and the image painted on Dragon Boats implies, the sport originated in China about 2000 years ago. It is said that during the fourth century BC, when the country was deep in political crisis and turmoil, there lived a Chinese poet and patriot called Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan was a champion of political reform. Having caught the wrath of the king, Qu Yuan was banished and was wandering aimlessly around the field, where he wrote poems to mess emotionally spoke of her love and concern for his country.
During his exile, he learned about his city's defeat at the hands of another kingdom. Overwrought with sadness and regret for the current regime, Qu Yuan jumped into the Mei Lo River and ended his life. Those who saw Qu Yuan tried to enter the water to save his beloved poet in his jumping fishing boats and ran furiously to where Qu Yuan met his fate. In an attempt to keep the fish and water dragons approaching Qu Yuan, they beat on drums and made an effort extra to splash the water with their paddles. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain. To honor the poet, especially during the anniversary of his disappearance, fishermen scattered rice dumplings ("Tsung Tze or Ma Chang") in water to ensure that, where Qu Yuan was, he will never go hungry.
One night, however, the spirit of Qu Yuan appeared and told his followers that the rice cakes that were made by him were being consumed by a river dragon. He then asked that, to ward off the dragon, succeeding deal to be wrapped in packages of three-cornered silk and guaranteed by five ropes of different colors. This is being practiced today, But now, the cookies are wrapped in leaves.
A less romantic but more realistic about the history of dragon boat racing says that many villagers living in the valleys of southern China believes that the fifth lunar month in Chinese is one that is full of chance. To prevent death, disease and starvation, superstitious members of the city could hold boat races in honor of the mighty dragon, the fifth day of the month, he said. During this time, the sacrifices were also made to appease the celestial being. It is said that when a member of the oar fell into the water, one should not offer you any assistance, because in doing so, they are going against the will the gods.
What are the Dragon Boat?
Dragon Boats, despite the name sounds ferocious, still are, in basic principle, boats. These are usually made of wood and are wide enough for two people sit side by side within Dragon boats come in varying lengths. They may be short enough to accommodate only 20 rowers, or large enough to hold a pair of 40 rowers strong.
These boats are decorated with garlands and happy painting to resemble the scales, fins and tail of dragon powerful. Originally, dragon boats were made of teak wood, however, modern innovations allow the use of material lighter yet more durable. One such material is fiberglass. The bark of most of the Dragon Boats are made of fiberglass and are reinforced cockpit gunnels and with high grade marine timber. To ensure the buoyancy, the partitions are filled with closed cell foam.
Other woods are different colors used to decorate or embellish Dragon Boats, and these are all finished with waterproof epoxy and marine varnish.
Dragon Boat Crew
A team of dragon boat of any size is always composed of a drummer, a steering or tiller, and many paddlers. There are cases when people additional serving as a flag waver, hand clapper or leader joins the crew on board. These are not necessarily needed in a team. The important thing is that the key positions are occupied.
Drummer
Often times the caller called, the person occupying this position may be considered the heart of all team. The sync speed and cadence of the strokes of the oars holding depends on the pace to beat their drums (or gong). In addition to maintaining the pace of the boat, the drummer can also issue commands or instructions to the rowers through hand signals or verbal orders, all aimed to encourage the rowers to work yet more. While the drummer or caller can not be around during training, it has to be present during the event itself.
Drummers also need to be aware of position of their dragon boat in relation to others in the competition. He must know when, depending on wind speed, current and near-line arrival, it is time to increase or decrease the pace. Drummers should know the strengths and weaknesses of your team so that it can position them in the boat accordingly.
Typically, a drummer for dragon boat is enough. The drummer is usually positioned in front of the boat. For vessels already holds up to 40 pairs rowing, it is not uncommon to find the drummer located in the middle of the boat.
Rowers
The rowers, as the name suggests, are those dealing with the oars dragon boat. Rowers sit together in pairs and all the rowers, both sitting in front of the boat are referred to as the "features" or "strokers". They occupy an important position as the pace of the entire team will depend not only on the beat of drums, but also about them. All rowers sit behind furnaces will be synchronized with their courses, not the traits of sitting in front.
Steerer
Sitting in the back of the boat's steering. Also called the coxswain, helm, steersman, sweep, or sugarcane, this position is responsible for steering the boat. The Steerer controls the direction of the boat through a steering oar, which is mounted on the back of the boat. The Board, along with drummer can call commands during the competition.
Banner Catcher
The position of Flag Catcher originated in Taiwan. This position is not necessary to complete a dragon boat team, but is slowly being incorporated into the cast of the team. The designated flag catcher is responsible to pick up a flag of the runway when the boat crosses the finish line. Those who could get a flag to finish the race, and the remaining are disqualified. Flag collectors are sitting behind the drummer, but move forward as the boat approaches the finish line.
Rituals and Traditions
Having originated from a land steeped in rituals and traditions, it is expected Dragon boats that, before being rushed, should be subjected to its share of unique ceremonies.
Before starting a race Dragon Boats have to be blessed and "agreed" correctly. Four days before the race, the boats with dragon heads and tails detachable, are brought out of their storage areas. These boats are blessed and then the blessing is done with much pomp and fanfare. After the boats were blessed, the paper notes, which are offering to the gods, are burned in front of them. This strange ritual is supposed to ward off evil and make the vessels strong, fast and ready to compete.
After the earthly blessing the boats are then paddled out to sea and back three times in a course that is perpendicular to a nearby temple. It is only after the boats returned, may be deemed ready for competition.
If there is a ritual before the race starts, there is also one that is made after the race was completed. When the race ended and the last boat crossed the finish line, a makeshift dragon head, tail and barrel of each boat are removed and stored the temple or in a place designated by the community and incense is burned as a sign of thanks to the gods. As it happens, the dragon's body are covered with sand or placed on shelves and covered with tin foil covers. Once this is done, dragons are considered "deposited". They will remain sleeping until it is time to wake them up again the following year.
Newly built dragon boats are given the life of a Taoist priest a few days before it is gone. In this ceremony, the priest has a bell and a sword in "Fu Zhou." While singing, he first touches the head, tail and drum with the sword. The "Fu Zhou" (money ritual with words written on it) is then burned and the sand is sprinkled on the dragon's head. Dragon Eye, which will change be drawn in red, initially is dotted by a community leader.
Festivals and Races
Dragon Boat Races, which are held The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, began in China as a way to commemorate the death and re-attempts to save the life of the poet Qu Yuan. In olden times, a rower in the boat is in body search of the poet. Dragon Boat became very popular during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and it was then that the event propagation along the Yangtze River valley and most of South China.
Dragon Boat Racing used to be an act of violence that often seemed naval battles. Besides the race toward a finish line, the crew threw stones and sticks used to hit the opposing team members. The spectators were not help, as they would cheer wildly and offer gifts to his team and throw insults and rocks at others. Participants used to look forward to drowning, one festival security (where no one dies of drowning), is considered "unlucky".
Dragon Boat Festivals are not as violent as it was before. Festivals today are marked by camaraderie and friendship. Also held during the traditional dates, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the event is known not only in China but in other parts of the world as well. In Chinese communities beyond the traditional race, the event is celebrated by hanging herbs on the front door, drinking nutritious weird mixes yet. Others try the impossible. If they can make an egg standing on one end and this is done at exactly 12 o'clock, next year will certainly be a very prosperous.
The Federation International Dragon Boat (IDBF) is the body that organizes and controls most of the dragon boat races held today internationally. The IDBF has divided the activities dragon boat into two distinct categories: sports and racing party race.
Racing festival, the most traditional yet informal events, are characterized by a standard 500-meter dash. Other international events have long distances and these tests not only speed the boat, but also the strength of the paddlers. An example of this race festival, called "Three Gorges Dam Rally" is held along the Yangtze River and covers a distance of 100 km
Sport Racing has stricter rules of racing. The distance traveled by most sport races ranging from 200m, 250m, 500m, 1000m and 2000m. Only members can join IDBF evidence formal sports. The IDBF Dragon Boat Racing hosts several competitions each year. One such event is the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships (WDBRC), which is held every two years. The WDBRC is open for the representative teams of national and territorial. Meanwhile, the IDBF holds the Club Crew World Championships (CCWC), a competition exclusive club for the top teams based in the world.
To cope with the competitive spirit of the crews that just joining Racing Festival, and "Warriors weekend, "only those that line in your free time, IDBF in 2005 introduced the Business Community and World Championships.
Dragon Boat versus Canoeing and Rowing
Many people mistakenly believe that the Dragon Boat and Canoe are the same, although in principle it is somewhat true, these two activities have more differences than similarities.
One such difference is that members of the dragon boat using a short, hand paddles instead of oars more associated with a canoe or boat. Another difference lies in how the rowers or paddlers sit when they are inside their vessels. Rowers sit facing towards the bow (front) of the boat while the rowers sit facing the rear of the ship.
Important Reminders
If you want to be part of a Dragon Boat crew, you have to prepare to get wet and hard work. Unlike rowing, where the movements are smooth and fluids, dragon boat paddlers hit the water with short, furious. Despite being able to swim is not a requirement, it is better if you knew at least float.
If you lead a relatively sedentary life or who are growing old in age, it is advisable that before starting any activity physics, you see your doctor. When you're in the boat, watch for instructions from the drummer and concentrate their movements in sync with the strokers principal.
Finally, no matter how confident you feel about your ability to paddle, not in any event, the line without his vest lifeguards. Being a crew member or a dragon boat team does not mean that you should know the fate of the poet who is credited to have begun this glorious tradition.
So what are you waiting for? Grab a shovel and start rowing!
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