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Some of the other original rituals still practiced today at many festivals
include the “Awakening of the Dragon” by dotting the eyes of the
dragon’s head on each boat. This ceremony is conducted to end
the dragon’s slumber and cleanse and bless the area of the competition,
the competitors, and their boats. One ritual thankfully no longer practiced
is the stone throwing by the crowd at rival boats,
and it is no longer necessary that a boat capsize and
at least one person drown – this was considered a special
sacrifice to the gods and a sign of good luck!
Today, dragon boating is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
Dragon boat racing is a global phenomenon and is an annual event
in over 40 countries around the world.
In 1995 Dr Don McKenzie, a sports medicine physician 
at
the University of British Columbia, started researching
the issue of rehabilitation following diagnosis
and treatment of breast cancer. Current opinion had prevailed
that the avoidance of strenuous exercise was necessary
to prevent lymphoedema or swelling of the arm where lymph nodes
had been removed. Dr McKenzie believed that upper body exercise
has a role in recovery from breast cancer and lymphoedema
because it can improve range of motion and reverse muscle atrophy,
activate skeletal muscle (which may help pump lymph),
and stimulate the immune system.
To test his theories he formed a dragon boat team (Abreast in a Boat)
in Vancouver in February 1996. The only criteria for joining
was a history of breast cancer; age, athletic ability
and paddling experience were not considered.
Dragon boating was chosen for several reasons.
It is a strenuous, repetitive upper body activity.
It is non-weight bearing and therefore associated
with a lower risk of injury than weight dependant activities
such as running. It uses predominantly upper extremity and trunk muscles,
and the improvement in strength has a carry-over effect
to day-to-day activity. The training intensity can be varied simply
by pulling harder.
That first team had their first look at a dragon boat
in April, trained twice weekly on the water through April, May and June,
and then competed in their first race at the Vancouver Festival
in late June 1996.
The findings were compelling. The paddlers showed a marked improvement
in both physical and mental health. Several women reported improved
range of motion of their shoulders and there were no cases of lymphoedema.
To other people with breast cancer, the women paddlers have become
role models, giving inspiration to lead full and active lives.
Today (2005) that first team has grown to over 110 worldwide, in Canada, USA, a team in every state of Australia, and
teams in New Zealand, Singapore, Italy, Poland and United Kingdon, all reaching out to other women
and offering them a message of hope and support.
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