The use of dragon boats for racing is believed to have originated in southern central China more than 2,500 years ago, along the banks of such iconic rivers as the Chang Jiang, also known as Yangtze (that is, during the same era when the games of ancient Greece were being established at Olympia). Dragon boat racing as the basis for annual water rituals and festival celebrations, and for the traditional veneration of the Asian dragon water deity, has been practiced continuously since this period. The celebration is an important part of ancient agricultural Chinese society, celebrating the summer harvest. It is thought that the first "dragon boat" was used in an attempt to rescue a local minister (Ch’u Yuan) who had thrown himself into the Mi Lo river in protest over the treatment of another minister who had been sent into exile. The local fishermen, who respected Ch'u Yuan, saw him struggling in the river and tried to help. They raced, in their boats, to the spot where Ch'u Yuan was last seen. In order to keep the river dragons away from Ch'u Yuan they beat drums and splashed their paddles in the water. Despite fishermen's efforts Ch'u Yuan drowned. But his legacy is the sport that we know and love.
The Sport
Today Dragon Boat racing is the biggest participation sport in the world, bigger even than soccer. Countries from five continents took part in the 2003 World Nations Championships in Poznan. Dragon Boat racing is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia with more than 20 teams in Victoria alone. In Victoria, races are held at a number of venues including Martha Cove, Falls Creek and Docklands in Melbourne while the Melbourne International Dragon Boat Festival attracts teams from throughout Australia and the world. Races are normally held over 200, 250 or 500 metres and teams compete in a range of categories including, mixed, male, female and masters.