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TEXAS DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION TO KICK OFF 2005 SEASON WITH 5th ANNUAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

On May 7, 2005, the Texas Dragon Boat Association (TDBA) brings “the second most popular paddle sport in the world” ( Paddler Magazine ) to Houston via its fifth annual Houston Dragon Boat Festival. This year, the festival will serve to kick off the season. The 2 nd Annual Gulf Coast International Regatta will conclude the season on October 22-23, 2005. The TDBA will hold the regatta with the Midwest Regional Championships in conjunction with the American Dragon Boat Association.

The Dragon Boat Race features teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersman, who bring new meaning to “the fast and the furious” as they race down a 250-meter stretch of water in competition for the revered “Dragon Cup.” Spectators and attendees of this free public event celebrate Asian culture as they enjoy the diverse food, music and entertainment offered by TDBA from 9:00am to 4:00pm at Allen's Landing in Downtown. The October Regatta will be held in Clear Lake from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in Clear Lake Park.

The Texas Dragon Boat Association is a Texas non-profit corporation established to promote the sport and tradition of dragon boating, to enhance awareness of Asian and Asian American culture, and enhance cross-cultural understanding. TDBA welcomed 27 teams in May 2004 with estimated 3000 Houstonians from myriad cultural and ethnic backgrounds to the Houston Dragon Boat Festival. The TDBA hosted 41 teams in October 2004 with 4500 Houstonians. Shaolin martial artists, Polynesian and Indian dancers, dragon dancers, face painters and cheerleaders performed throughout the day; and representatives from the Astros, Rockets and Texans, as well as celebrity emcees from Houston area media, added star power to the occasion.

Dragon boat racing began in China circa 277 B.C., in honor of Qu ( chew ) Yuan, a famous scholar of the Ch'u dynasty. Fallen from the king's favor, the shamed and devastated Qu Yuan threw himself into the Mi Lo River. The Ch'u people grieved at Yuan's death and spent many days paddling their colorful fishing boats in the river searching for him, loudly beating drums. Unable to find Qu Yuan, the people wrapped rice dumplings in bamboo leaves and tossed them into the water to distract the fish from his remains. The Ch'u people's boats were colorfully decorated with dragon heads to scare spirits away; and thus, began the tradition of dragon boat racing.

According to WorldRoom.com, the appeal of dragon boat racing has spread well beyond its origins in China . From Canada to Germany to South Africa , more than 30 countries hold internationally recognized races, although the most important one is still arguably the Hong Kong international competition. Its burgeoning popularity has prompted the International Olympic Committee to consider introducing dragon boat racing as a demonstration sport for the 2008 games.

The Texas Dragon Boat Association is currently seeking sponsors, teams, and volunteers for the May 7, 2005 Houston Dragon Boat Festival and the October 22-23, 2005 Gulf Coast International Regatta and Midwest Regional Championship. For information, please contact TDBA Executive Director Dr. Caroline Long at 832-687-7208; or visit the TDBA website at www.texasdragonboat.com.