what is dragon boating?

Dragonboat racing is an aquatic sport in which a twelve metre long canoe-like boat, wide enough to sit twenty people (two abreast) along with a sweep to steer the boat and a drummer, is paddled over a course of either 250 or 500 metres in length. During races a dragonboat will feature the head and tail of a dragon, a mythological creature regarded by the Chinese as having dominion over the waters and exercising control over rainfall.

The following pictures from the Canberra Festival and other local regattas in 2004 show the tradition, fun and excitement that is dragon boat racing.

Dragon boats at Gallipoli Reach	The traditional "dotting the eye" ceremony	Social teams paddling at the Canberra Festival regatta 2004
Girls Grammar cross the finish line at a local regatta	Three teams charging for the finish line at a local regatta	NAVMAT coming in to shore after another race