Raffle to help keep dragon boats afloat

BY NAOMI IRVIN

 

CHINESE dragon boat racing has been going on for two-and-a-half millennia and was considered a folk ritual among fishing communities that would appease the gods, encourage rainfall, and celebrate summer rice planting.

Now, thanks to Ultimate Springfest Online Raffle, you can support Ballarat’s own Chinese Dragon Boat Club.

As one of the recipients of support from the fundraising effort, the Club is hoping to build its junior program.

“We would like to have the capacity to welcome more juniors to the club, so that we can eventually have junior representation at events and regattas,” said president Georgia Parry.

“To have more juniors, we need to invest in smaller size personal floating devises, smaller paddles and also subsidise the cost associated with accrediting some of our existing members as coaches.”

The Ballarat Chinese Dragon Boat Club was founded in 2016 and currently has 30 members that range in age from 16 years old up to participants in their 70s.

A dragon Boat is similar to an outrigger canoe, but recognisable by its dragon head and tail and the mesmerizing drumbeat that leads the group of up to 20 paddlers, the drummer and their steer person.

In addition to developing their junior program, more accredited coaches would enable the Ballarat club to take more people out on the water.

Under their current rules, the Club can only take one boat out on the water at a time, which limits how many people can try the sport.

“We’d love to be able to take multiple boats out on the water per training session, so that we can accommodate more people,” Ms Parry said.

“Dragon boating is a fantastic sport for cardiovascular fitness, core and upper body strength. Above all of that, it is a great way to connect with people in the community.”

Despite the iconic SpringFest Market Sunday not being held this year due to COVID, the initiative of the Rotary Club of Ballarat South is still proceeding in the form of an Ultimate Online Raffle, with all money raised going to community groups.

Ticket sales start at just $5 and there are 100 different prizes to be won, totalling $18000 in value. Ticket sales close on 29 November.

To purchase tickets, visit ballaratspringfest.com.au.