Introduction

The DC Dragons began in 1992 as the National Capital Area Women’s Paddling Association (NCAWPA). What started as a women’s dragon boat festival team has evolved to include men and mixed teams that complete in both dragonboating and outrigger canoeing. Our teams have competed both locally and internationally. In addition to competing, NCAWPA spearheads the development of dragonboating and outrigger canoeing both locally and along the East Coast. Many of our members have been coaches and/or part of the organization committees for the DC Dragon boat festival since its inception. As the first dragonboat team in the DC metro area, we strive to inspire others to join in a sport that promotes cooperative team effort, is physically challenging and fun. We paddle year-round and welcome new paddlers to join us or our sister teams, GoPink!DC and NCAWPA Youth.

This blog chronicles our journeys and achievements

Friday, May 21, 2010

New Season (2010) - Another Great Start

Attempt by Chia
The DC Dragon Boat Festival
The weather was sunny, nice and warm. The water conditions were a little choppy on Saturday but calmed way down on Sunday. At the crack of dawn, many DC Dragons arise for their first race of the season. Launching the dragon boats from the Thompson Boathouse Center, the DC Dragons march. We march....

250 meter races
The DC Dragons started the day racing the Metro Athletic Dragons (MAD) and our bogey team:NY Wall Street Dragons (WSD). (Having lost to them by fractions of a second last year.) This year, we turned the tables on WSD beating them by a little less than a second but still some ways behind MAD.



Lane 1 - DC Dragons - 1:28:337. Lane 2 - MAD - 1:25:591. Lane 3 - WSD - 1:29:187

The second 250m proved a better race for DC dragons. We were pitted once again with MAD. Baltimore DBC and Booz Allen Betafish made up the other two team in this four horse race. This time... the DC Dragons showed great heart, kept their composure and just edged MAD to come across the finish line first



Lane 1 - Baltimore DBC - 1:33:177. Lane 2 - MAD - 1:25:900. Lane 3 - DC Dragons - 1:23:921. Lane 4 - 1:32:841.

The last race of the day turned out to be one of the most exciting races of the day as well as one of the most heartbreaking for the DC dragons. It was the final race of the day, the festival teams that began tearing down their tents take a break to watch the A-major finals. The home team, DC dragons secured the middle lane with quickest time in the semi-finals. They were flanked by the titans from NYC: MAD on the right and DCH Racing on the left. The race ended with a nail biting finish with the results taking over 15 minutes to be confirmed and posted. A heart break for some, a great start to the season for the DC Dragons!



Lane 1 - MAD - 1:20:077. Lane 2 - DC Dragons - 1:20:114. Lane 3 - DCH - 1:20:729

A great day for racing...... more coming about the Sunday's races. Check up soon.
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