Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/132206
Sarasota News Leader May 24, 2013 Page 56 LOCAL TEAMS SOUGHT FOR FESTIVAL'S DRAGON BOAT RACES High Five Dragon Boat LLC is seeking teams enjoy activities at the Water Festival between from Sarasota and Manatee counties to com- the scheduled heats, the release adds. pete in the dragon boat races to be showcased "This is a great way for local businesses and at the 2013 Sarasota Bay Water Festival. other organizations to encourage team-buildThe regional event will be held at City Island's ing while promoting their brand," said ChrisKen Thompson Park on Saturday, Nov. 2, a tine Canevari with High Five in the release. "We already have teams committed from the news release says. Tampa Bay area," she added in the release, High Five provides each registered team with noting the goal is to add more teams from a boat, paddles, life vests, a steersperson and Sarasota and Manatee counties. training prior to the event, the release adds. The training includes practicing the proper "Dragon boat racing is popular worldwide, paddling techniques and racing etiquette, it with hundreds of events each year throughout the U.S. and many other nations," the release notes. points out. Most participants race for fun, it Each dragon boat is 42 feet in length. Coed notes, but there are also highly competitive teams consist of 20 paddlers, with a minimum club-level teams. The world championship of eight being female, the release continues. was held in Tampa in 2011. Participants must be 14 years of age or older. Registration information about the Nov. 2 The races involve three race heats during the event and guidelines are available at sarasoday on a 350-meter course. Participants may tabaydragonboat.com. Dragon Boat Races are among the activities at the 2013 Sarasota Bay Water Festival. Contributed photo