GWN Dragon Boat offers a variety of training camps, and corporate experiences based around dragon boating. They also offer training camps to prepare for the Toronto and Ottawa Dragon Boat Festivals. For more information, visit GWN Dragon Boat 49 Bathurst St #101 Toronto, ON M5V 2P2 or call them at (416) 962-8899.

1. BASIC INFORMATION
ABOUT DRAGON
BOATING

2. People always seem to be looking for new ways to build
their endurance, tone muscles and challenge
themselves. It's easy to find different classes, concepts
and bootcamps to try, but even they can grow tiresome
after a while.
For something completely different, many exercise
enthusiasts are turning to the water to try dragon
boating. Being part of a dragon boat crew encourages
teamwork, and gives you a workout you'll never forget.

3. What Is It?
A dragon boat is a long, narrow vessel that carries
twenty paddlers, seated two abreast. There is also one
team member at the rear to steer the boat and one
seated at the front.
The goal is for the paddlers to
paddle in unison, propelling the boat
forward. Dragon boating is a
competitive sport, and the teams
race against one another to a finish
line.

4. Origins
Dragon boating may be a newer sport in North America,
but its origins date back to China over 2,000 years ago.
When it began, the boats were raced due to
superstitious beliefs that doing so would result in
healthy and bountiful crops.
Dragon boat celebrations were typically conducted
when natural disasters and disease were more
prevalent. The dragon boat tradition was cemented into
the culture further when beloved poet and minister Chu
Yuan was exiled from the Kingdom of Chu around the
4th century, BC.

5. Origins cont…
Chu Yuan fell into despair over his exile and the state of
the Kingdom and subsequently committed suicide by
throwing himself into the Mi Lo River.
The people mourned his death and went so far as to
row their fishing boats around the spot he jumped in to
scare the fish and water dragons away.
It is said that the people would throw rice wrapped in
leaves into the river so Chu Yuan wouldn't go hungry.
In some places, rice cakes are still eaten today during
dragon boat celebrations.

6. Dragon Boat Crew
The dragon boat crew must be a team in the truest
sense of the word, and have the ability to push
themselves beyond their normal physical boundaries.
Each crew has a maximum of 20 paddlers, with a cox at
the rear to steer the boat and a drummer at the front.
For events that use mixed crews, there must be at least
eight female paddlers in the boat for each team.

7. Keys to Success
Some of the keys to success for a dragon boat team
include:
• Teamwork - this is the main factor, as a team that is
synchronized in its movements will usually end up on
top.
• Strength and Fitness - the team must be able to
physically endure and continue on until the finish line.
• The Coach - a good coach will teach the team the
basics and get the most out of them in practice.

8. What to Wear
Teams may have uniforms that each member should
wear during competition, but for general dragon boating,
you should wear:
• Comfortable clothing that isn't too baggy.
• Footwear you don't mind getting wet, like water
sandals.
• Shorts work best for the lower body.
It's also wise to bring a change of clothes, because you
will get wet.

9. Dragon Boat Events
Dragon boating has become a common corporate
activity, and dragon boat events are on many corporate
calendars every year. Taking part in a dragon boat
event is a nice alternative to golfing or the standard
company picnic.
A dragon boating event helps to promote team building
and camaraderie, as well as physical activity and
healthy lifestyle.

10. References
http://www.gwndragonboat.com:80/Default.asp?
id=64&l=1
GWN Dragon Boat
http://www.mountsinai.on.ca/staff/sinai-lightning/what-is-
dragon-boat-racing
Mount Sinai Hospital