The Nature Coast Dragon Boat Club were delighted to welcome their long- awaited new dragon boat with a ceremonial eye dotting to ward off evil spirits and charge the boat with the spirit of the Dragon.
The ceremony to name and prepare it for safe use on the river was held on Saturday 27 March with over 25 members in attendance. Kay Nash, representing the Moruya market, officially named the boat Yang 2.
The purchase of the new boat was made possible through several years of fund raising by members, a grant from the NSW government and a generous donation from the club sponsor, Moruya Markets.
Dragon boat racing has a long tradition and emerged as far back as 2,500 years ago. Originating among fishing communities along the Yangtze River in Southern-Central China, today it is practiced in over 60 countries with over 50 million regular participants.
Australia first became involved in 1980 when surf life-saving associations were invited to compete in a festival in Penang. In 1984 Sydney hosted the inaugural Sydney Dragon Boat Festival in Farm Cove.
The Nature Coast Dragon Boat Club was formed in 2006 and has been going strong ever since with paddlers travelling far and wide across the globe to compete in regattas.
Nature Coast Dragon Boat Club warmly welcomes anyone aged 12 years and over to come and give Dragon Boating a try. It’s great exercise, in fabulous company on the beautiful Moruya River. Give Lyn, the club president, a call on 0411444543 for details.
