Help a worthy charity!
Benefiting the Augusta Alzheimer's Association
It's Fun...It's Healthy...It's Exciting...And It's Here In Augusta!
Vision
The Augusta Regional Dragon Boat AssociationTM (ARDBA) will be recognized as the premier organization celebrating and promoting the sport of dragon boat racing as an activity to not only promote the health and well being of our community but to build bridges of awareness, knowledge, understanding, and diverse community participation.
Mission
The Augusta Regional Dragon Boat Association (ARDBA) offers a sport to the Augusta Region that is not just a spectator sport but one where active participation is available to all people regardless of age, sex, or income.
The ARDBA supports the work of an important regional non-profit organization (the Augusta Alzheimer’s Association) by raising funds through a community-focused festival that welcomes outdoor enthusiasts, families, and paddlers from throughout the Augusta region and across the southeast.
Values
Community Pride and Ownership - The ARDBA is community-driven, taking direction and guidance from the needs of the people of the Augusta Region.
Collaboration - The ARDBA seeks to foster understanding and cooperation among all communities and the general public.
Business and Community Development - The ARDBA helps promote and strengthen community businesses and community organizations.
Leadership and Team Building - The ARDBA provides opportunities for athletic competition, leadership development and team building.
Creative and Innovative Programming - The ARDBA strives to present fresh, fun, family-oriented events and programs with special emphasis on health and fitness to support the vitality of the Augusta region communities.
Dragon Boating Comes To Augusta!
The Augusta Regional Dragon Boat Association (ARDBA), a non-profit corporation registered with the state of Georgia, was formed to promote the sport of Dragon Boat Racing in Augusta and the surrounding region. Millions of dollars have been raised by Dragon Boat associations across the country for local charities. The ARDBA supports our local community by giving the proceeds raised through our events to the August Alzheimer's Association. What Is Dragon Boat Racing? There’s no experience necessary to be on a crew of a dragon boat and no particular level of fitness is required! Dragon boat racing combines brightly colored boats adorned with dragon heads, large crews of men and women paddling over a 250 meter course in the lowest time possible (generally 1 ½ to 2 minutes), a drummer pounding out a loud beat for each boat, water spraying everywhere from all of the paddles, and a screaming crowd cheering on their favorite boats. It's loud, exciting, and fun! Our Annual Dragon Boat Festival Although there will be small dragon boat events taking place throughout the year, the Annual Augusta Dragon Boat Festival takes place in the spring at Lake Olmstead in Augusta with fun, food, and activities for the entire family along the shore. This is our inaugural year and typical first year attendance at the festival is between 2,000 – 4,000 participants and spectators. Preceding the actual races, participants take part in the ancient ritual of "Awakening the Dragon." An eye-dotting ceremony awakens the dragon and brings out its fire, which gives the boats and their crews the strength of the dragon. The race event consists of dragon boat teams racing in "heats" made up of categories of participants. ie; men, women, seniors, mixed groups, youth etc. Each team competes in multiple races with the winner of each "heat" competing for the division championship. Trophies or medals are presented to the winners. Jumping stations, face painting and other activities for the kids…food vendors, music and dancing for the adults…provide fun and entertainment for the entire family. As an all-day event, you can be assured that it will be the premier family event of the year for Augusta! The History of Dragon Boat Racing The origin of Dragon Boat Racing dates back almost 2000 years to the Chinese legend of Qu Yuan, a 4th Century statesman poet and advisor to the head of state. Qu Yuan, was exiled from the ancient state of Chu after his advice to the king was misinterpreted as an attempt to assume greater political power. Qu Yuan was banished to a remote area in the Hunan Province in Southern China.
The dishonor of being exiled was a heavy burden on his shoulders and under the weight of his sorrow, Qu Yuan threw himself into the torrents of the Milou River. In an attempt to save him, local fisherman raced out onto the water to save the drowning Qu. The fisherman wildly beat their drums and splashed the water with their paddles in an attempt to prevent water dragons and fish from eating his body. The Present Today, dragon boat racing is the fastest growing athletic event in the world. The World Championships of Dragon Boat Racing, have been held annually in Hong Kong since 1976. In 1991, the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) was formed in response to the explosive growth of the sport. Based in Hong Kong, the IDBF boasts over 100 member organizations in over 40 countries. What’s most exciting is the growth of the sport at the grassroots level. Dragon Boat Racing is great fun for anyone, young or old. Participants of any level of fitness can quickly adapt to and develop a passion for this sport. Although most international crews are either all male or female, national and regional events attract primarily mixed teams from corporations, public service groups and clubs sponsored by small businesses and high schools. Call us today at 866-554-1116 for more information.
What is ARDBA?
The crew, made up of 20 paddlers paced by a drummer at the bow and guided by a steersperson at the stern, combine power and rhythm to achieve maximum acceleration and speed over the course. A perfectly synchronized team is not only visually spectacular but almost always defeats a stronger, less coordinated competitor. The race stroke averages between 90 and 100 strokes per minute with the drummer beating the cadence. Coaching and practice sessions are available to teams the few days before the festival as well as to those that choose to join the ARDBA as a member. (Members have use of a practice boat year around.) While some teams are well-oiled machines, most are not! The goal is to have a good time and raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Each team is provided a tent that they can decorate however they like with signs and decorations promoting their team. A prize is given to the tent with the best decorations and team spirit. Tents are also provided to sponsors according to their sponsorship level. The tents can be used for employees enjoyment or to offer information and promotion of the specific company. Companies are encouraged to decorate their tent in a festive atmosphere as they wish.
The modern Dragon Boat Race is based upon the re-enactment of the race to save Qu from the water’s terrors. Over time, village fishing boats, put out each year in the symbolic search for Qu Yuan’s body, began to take part in races which evolved into dragon boat racing’s present form.
Within a relatively short period of time, backed by a strong canoeing background, North America has emerged as an international dragon boat racing powerhouse, shaking the foundation of a sport which has historically been dominated by Asian countries.
Or, email us at info@augustadragonboat.org
