The History of Dragon Boating

Dragon boat racing originated over 2,000 years ago from an ancient Chinese legend. During the past 25 years dragon boat racing has grown into an organized international sport. Dragon boat racing is often described as the ultimate team sport and has grown rapidly since its beginnings in the Bay Area 11 years ago.

The legend tells that a well-respected poet and statesmen named Qu Yuan lived in the Chinese Kingdom of Chu and served under a corrupt government. Either as an act of despair or as an ultimate protest against his corrupt government, Qu Yuan threw himself into the Mei Lo River (in today's Hunan province).

After he jumped into the river, grief-stricken local fishermen who witnessed Qu Yuan's desperate act tried to save the patriotic poet. They sailed up and down the river to look for him and desperately thrashed the water with their oars and paddles to scare off the hungry fishes which might eat his body. Since then, the dragon boat races were held to commemorate the legend of Qu Yuan.