Saturday, December 3rd, 10:00am to 2:00pm

If you or someone you know are interested in trying out dragon boating or outrigger paddling come on out to Temp Town Lake Saturday, December 3rd between 10AM and 2PM and get in a boat.

This is a great opportunity to come out and try out both sports and have a great time!

Here is a great document with more details.

As we discussed on Maintenance day the boats will need 6 or 7 coats of the Varnish. Don & Jeff will be varnishing the boats this week (schedule below) and can use assistance.  They will be out every day this week unless is is raining at the time they are scheduled to be working.  Please consider helping out.  Practices are cancelled until the boats are finished getting all the needed coats of varnish.

Please bring small glass jars if you have any to hold varnish.

Boat Maintenance Schedule

Sunday, Nov 20 @ 10 am for approx 2 hrs
* note access may be limited due to the Ironman

Monday – Wednesday, Nov 21-23, @ 4-5:30 pm

Thursday – Sunday,
Nov 24-27 @ 10 am (approx 2 hrs)

Paddles Up: All paddler’s are to raise their paddles above the water and assume the paddling position. They will hold this position until the next command is issued.

Take it away: This is the “Go” command, so start paddling already

Let it Ride: All Paddlers are to stop paddling and rest their paddles on their lap.

Draw water on the “Right/Left”: If the command is to Draw water on the “Left” the Paddler is to reach out on the left side of the boat as far as they can with their paddle blade parallel with the boat and pull the paddle towards them. This is how we pull the boat either right or left in the water.

Back paddle: The paddler’s stroke in reverse, to move the boat backwards.

Hold Water: The Paddlers thrust their blades into the water pointing straight down into the water holding the blade
vertically. This command is called to stop the boat quickly.

Flare the Boat: The paddler’s are to hold the paddle horizontal above the water blade flat and resting on top of the water to stabilize the boat. This command is called when we are letting others move position on the boat or it can also be called when a wave comes our way.

Race start commands: Below are the commands you will hear at the start of a Dragon Boat Race;

We have Alignment: All the boat on the start line are lined up evenly
Paddlers are you Ready? The teams last chance to notify the start official if there is a problem in the boat
Attention Please: The boat needs to get in their start position ready to start
Horn Blow: This is our “GO” command!

We will be taking down all four boats from the trailer so Don can do the repairs on the trailer. We will be sanding down the gunnels and applying wood varnish to all boats that need it. We will wax and buff the fiberglass for all boats.

This will start at 9:30am until 12:30pm – if all AZDBA members come out to assist, then we can be done before noon or even sooner.

Items that will be provided:

• Varnish for the boat
• Wax for fiberglass
• Sand paper
• Paint brushes

If you have these items, please bring:

• Electric sander
• Old rags at least two per person
• Old spare tires that you can donate for the extra boats to rest upon
• Tool kit (s) – bring it we never know what we might need
• Bring work gloves and wear old clothing

If you have anything else that you think we will need please bring it. There will be snacks and water available.

Note:  All boats will remain at the marina until December 3 after the Autumn of the Dragon when everyone is there to help put four boats back onto the trailer.

Paddles Up!

1. Hold the paddle with both arms extended and nearly locked in front of you, one hand grasping the paddle at the top and the other just about 3 in. above the blade.
2. In tandem with other paddlers, bend forward at the waist about 5 degrees, rotating at the torso. When you’ve reached as far forward as you can, the paddle should be perpendicular to the water, and your torso should be rotated toward the inside of the boat.
3. All twenty paddlers will dip paddles into the water at the same time and pull back using strength from the legs, stopping at the hip.
4. Simultaneously, the team pulls paddles out of the water and completes the cycle again.
• What helps me is to imagine an old steam train and how the coupling rods are tied to the wheels, all moving in sync passing the power to the other wheels. The strongest dragon boat teams are the ones who’s paddles move as if they are tied together with the coupling rods of the old steam trains.

Tip: Despite the urge to look down while digging your paddle into the water, keep your head up and watch the strokes on the first row of the boat. This keeps you in sync – and helps you breathe!

The more you practice this easy technique, the easier it is to add power to every stroke.

The First dragon appeared to the mythical emperor Fu-Hsi, and filled the hole in the sky made by the monster Kung Kung. Its waking, sleeping and breathing determined day and night, season and weather.

There are many differences between the classical dragon and the Chinese dragon; these include the ability to fly even without wings, shape-shifting abilities, and of course the general benevolent behavior to the populace.
The Chinese dragon is made up of nine entities – the head of a camel, the eyes of a demon, the ears of a cow, the horns of a stag, the neck of a snake, the belly of a clam and the claws of an eagle. The soles of his feet are that of a tiger and the 117 scales that cover its body are that of a carp.
The Chinese dragon has four claws as standard, but the Imperial dragon has five, to identify it above the lesser classes. Anyone other than the emperor using the 5 claw motif was put to death.

The Chinese dragon (Lung) was a divine bringer of rain, necessary for the good of the people. Throughout Chinese history the dragon has been equated with weather. It is said that some of the worst flooding was caused when a mortal upset a dragon. The dragon was also a symbol of the Emperor, whose wisdom and divine power assured the well-being of his subjects. Many legends draw connections between the dragon and the emperor. Some emperors claimed to have even descended from the dragon.

Chinese dragons of myth could make themselves as large as the universe or as small as a silkworm. They could also change color and disappear in a flash. They rise to the skies in the spring and plunge into the waters in the autumn.
The ancient Chinese dragon occupies a very important position in Chinese mythology. It shows up in arts, literature, poetry, architecture, songs, and many aspects of the Chinese conscience. The origin of Chinese dragons is unknown, but certainly pre-dates the written history.

Nine Dragon Wall
A very popular tourist site in Beijing is Nine-Dragon Wall in BaiHai Park. After hundreds of years, the colors of the ceramic tiles are just as brilliant. The wall was built in 1756, is 21m long, 15m high and 1.2m thick. It is faced with 424 seven-color ceramic tiles. At the center of the wall is a giant dragon, flanged by four dragons on each side. In addition to these nine large dragons, the wall is covered from edge to edge with many smaller dragons. In all, there are 635 dragons.
According to legend the Dragon had nine sons, and each had a strong personality. There is no general agreement as to what the Dragon’s sons are called, but to most people they are:

1. Haoxian A reckless and adventurous dragon whose image can be found decorating the eaves of palaces.
2. Yazi Valiant and bellicose; his image is seen on sword-hilts and knife hilts.
3. Chiwen likes to gaze into the distance and his appearance is often carved on pinnacles.
4. Baxia is a good swimmer and his image decorates many bridge piers and archways.
5. Pulao is fond of roaring and his figure is carved on bells.
6. Bixi is an excellent pack-animal whose image appears on panniers.
7. Qiuniu loves music and his figure is a common decoration on the bridge of stringed musical instruments.
8. Suanmi is fond of smoke and fire; his likeness can be seen on the legs of incense-burners.
9. Jiaotu is as tight-lipped as a mussel or a snail. His image is carved on doors.

Awakening the Dragon
by Shelagh Pierce
The Chinese dragon boat races will always be a symbol of Chinese culture and spirit. As one of the three largest Chinese festivals of the year, this mythical celebration can now be witnessed around the world. To experience a dragon boat race – either watching or participating – is a thrill in itself and can be enjoyed by everyone.
You’ll watch as long, multicolored boats, with frightening dragons’ heads, long tails, and scaly bodies, splash through the water. You’ll see men, women, and children grunt and sweat as they push themselves harder and faster to be the first to the finish line. You’ll hear the crowds screaming and cheering for their favorite team, while the drummers pound on their drums and yell at the paddlers. The event is not intended to be quiet and peaceful but loud and exciting – a celebration!
To observe the Chinese dragon boat races of today, you can only dream of its meager beginnings. A time when superstition determined how a person lived. In fact, dragon boat racing began more than 2000 years ago when a group of superstitious people believed that the boat racing would ensure prosperous and bountiful crops. Their celebrations took place on the summer solstice – the time of year typically associated with disease and death and when man felt most helpless against the powers of nature. The race has come to symbolize both man’s struggle against nature and his fight against dangerous enemies.
The tragic tale of Ch’u Yuan further integrated the dragon boat races into the lives of the Chinese. The Fourth Century B.C. is known as the period of the “warring states” in Chinese history. It was a time when numerous supremacy wars between feudal lords erupted. Many kingdoms had already disappeared, except for Ch’u, which was one of the mightiest kingdoms remaining. Ch’u Yuan was a poet and a minister and councillor to the king of Ch’u – truly a great patriot. He feared for the future of his kingdom and to do the best for his country, he gave advice to the king. To his surprise, the advice was not accepted and he was exiled. At the devastation of the kingdom of Ch’u and his exile, Ch’u Yuan, in desperation and sorrow, threw himself into the Mi Lo river.
The people of Ch’u loved Ch’u Yuan. They grieved over his death and spent much time trying to scare the fish and water dragons away from Ch’u Yuan’s body by rowing around the river in their fishing boats, splashing their oars, and beating their drums. And to ensure that Ch’u Yuan never went hungry, they wrapped rice in leaves and threw them into the river. Rice cakes are still eaten today as part of the dragon boat festival celebration.
The dragon boat festival is typically celebrated on the ‘Fifth of the Fifth’ – the fifth day of the fifth month. Red is the prominent color on the boats because it is the color of the number five and symbolizes heat, summer, and fire. The lengths of the boats can range between 30 and 100 feet and are wide enough to fit two people side by side. Some of the original rituals are still practiced today, like the ‘Awakening of the Dragon’ by dotting the eyes of the dragon’s head on each boat. This ceremony is conducted to cleanse and bless the area of the competition, the competitors, and their boats. It also gives the boats and their crew the strength of the Dragon and the blessing of the Goddess of the Sea.
Nevertheless, much has changed in the festival. The crowd no longer throws stones at the rival boats and it is not imperative a boat capsize and at least one person drown – which was considered a special sacrifice to the gods and was, surprisingly, a sign of good luck.
Today the dragon boat races are primarily a form of amusement. It is no longer a ceremony performed to scare away evil and call for a good year but entertainment, which teaches people a little about Chinese history and culture. We are not nearly as superstitious as we were in the past but it sure is fun pretending!

The Dragon in Oriental Mythology
In the mythology of various Oriental countries, notably Japan and China, the dragon is the supreme spiritual power, the most ancient emblem in Oriental mythology and the most ubiquitous motif in Oriental art. Dragons represent celestial and terrestrial power, wisdom, and strength. They reside in water and bring wealth and good luck and, in Chinese belief, rainfall for crops. The dragon in traditional Chinese New Year’s Day parades is believed to repel evil spirits that would spoil the New Year. The five-clawed dragon became the Chinese Imperial emblem (the four-clawed being the common dragon). The three-clawed dragon is the Japanese dragon. In Hindu mythology, Indra, god of the sky and giver of rain, slays Vitra, Dragon of the Waters, to release rainfall.

Dragon Boat Racing – 2,400 Years of Tradition

The Chinese Dragon Boat Race Festival is a symbol of Chinese culture and spirit. As one of the three largest Chinese festivals of the year, this ancient and time-honored celebration can now be witnessed world-wild. To be a part of a Dragon Boat Race as a participant or spectator, is a thrilling experience.

Dragon Boat racing is a reflection of a memorable historical event that occurred more than 2,400 years ago. It is a story of self-sacrifice. Numerous supremacy wars were erupting during the “Warring States” of the fourth century B.C.E.. Emperor Chu’s kingdom was one of the mightiest remaining.

A man of great respect, Qu Yuan was a poet, minister and councilor to the Emperor. Unfortunately, he was cast into exile as a result of his politically sensitive poems. Distraught and inconsolable, Qu Yan drowned himself in the Mi Lo River in an act of desperation and sorrow.

Local fisherman raced to the tragic scene in their long, swift boats. To prevent his body from being despoiled by the fish, they splashed their oars and beat their drums to disperse them. They threw rice dumplings wrapped in leaves into the river in
attempts to distract the fish from Qu Yuan. The Dragon Boat Festival, typically held on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, re-enacts both the human tragedy and the sense of community that it evoked.

Ancient Ceremonies and Rituals

Many of the original rituals are still practiced today at festivals all over the world. As part of the opening ceremonies, a common practice is to “Awaken the Dragon” by dotting the eyes of the Dragon’s heads of each of the boats. Historically, the Dragon was the favored symbol of the Emperor, and the best Chinese artists were commissioned. Shortly after one such artist put the finishing touches on his work by etching the eyes on his exquisite stone Dragon, thunder and turbulent weather swept the land. It was believed the mythical beast was “awakened” and had “come to life” as a result. Also, the significance of the eye-dotting was to impress the boats and their crews with the strength of the Dragon and the blessing of the Goddess of the Sea. Rice dumplings are eaten today as an important part of the celebration. These packets of predominantly sticky rice, often with lentils and morsels of meat, are tightly wrapped in leaves and cooked. These, along with other cultural goodies can be found at many of the Festivals’ food pavilions.

The Dragon Boats – Long, Sleek and Colorful

Traditional boats can range from about 30 to 100 feet in length, with 20 to 48 paddlers, but are only wide enough to seat two paddlers side by side. Fitted with a carved Dragon head and tail, they represent the mythical creature itself.

The traditional boat is made of teak and can weigh upwards of 1000 pounds. Modern boats consist of new synthetic materials.

The Hong Kong style of boats are popular and are often used in modern day races. These boats can maintain twenty athletes, one drummer and one steersperson. The drummer sits at the head facing the paddlers to keep the pace and a steersperson at the tail to keep the boat on course.