Dragon boats coming to Oak Mountain

The first dragon boat race in the Birmingham area will be held at Oak Mountain State Park on Saturday, Sept. 28, and benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama.

With a history of more than 2,500 years, the sport of dragon boating originated in ancient China. Teams are formed with 18 to 25 people of any age and ability.

The paddlers’ jobs are to paddle in unison with the entire team.  The drummer’s job is to beat the drum in sync with the paddlers and to motivate their team to the finish line. A steersperson provided by the festival stands in the stern of the boat and guides the boat straight down the race course with a 10-foot oar.

The event, which runs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., will include local and regional teams coming together to race against each other in a series of heats.  

Spectators are encouraged to come to Oak Mountain with lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the festivities. Food vendors and music will keep the event lively throughout the day.

For corporations, public service groups, small businesses, schools or others interested in forming teams, paddles, life vests, boats and steerspersons will be provided as well as a training session in advance of the event.  Each team just has to provide 20 paddlers, a minimum eight of whom are female, and a drummer. On race day each team will race in three heats on a 300-meter course.  

With the help of race participants, Ronald McDonald House will be able to continue to provide a safe, affordable, supportive “home away from home” for sick or injured children and their families when they travel to Birmingham for medical treatment. In 2012 the organization served 1,096 families from 66 Alabama counties and 18 states as well as Haiti, Kenya and Jamaica.

To enter a dragon boat team, visit birminghamdragonboat.com or contact High Five Dragon Boat at 813-426-3544.