INDIANAPOLIS – The White River Alliance, the premier organization for regional water resource protection in Indiana, and Indy SurviveOars, Indiana’s only breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, are coming together to host the first ever White River Dragon Boat Race and Festival on Sat., Sept. 29 at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St.
A community-wide competition, the Dragon Boat Races will feature live racing with 46-foot long dragon boats, food and beer trucks. Dragon boat racing originated over 2,000 years ago in China, and its popularity has been growing in the West since the 1970s. The sport emphasizes teamwork, as it takes a team of 22 people to power the massive vessel. Paddling has also become popular for women recovering from breast cancer, with survivor teams all around the world.
Teams interested in entering the Dragon Boat Race can register now at one of two participation levels at WhiteRiverDragonBoats.org. Registration is open until Sept. 12, and full payment must be made at time of registration.