While China is in the midst of celebrating its three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, a half a world away “Duanwu” would also appear to be in spirit on Lake Sumter Landing.
Here out on the sparkling water on a sunny Monday morning, Villagers rhythmically dipped their paddles in the lake and rowed together.
Dragon boating began in earnest in The Villages about seven years ago. Groups like Team Leathernecks got on board and were soon dominating competitions far and wide including those against much-younger rowers.
But dragon boating in The Villages is not reserved only for the well seasoned.
For one group, the orange T-shirt says it all. “This Boat Rocks.”
The group is open to beginners.
Warning: After one trip in the boat, you might be hooked.
“I had my eye on this even before I moved down here,” said Linda Workman of the Village of Charlotte.
Wearing a life vest and with paddle in hand, Workman eagerly moved through the warmup exercises and listened intently to the morning’s safey briefing.
Villager Susan Chicoine mans the drum and is the heartbeat of the boat.
“We teach them the commands and techniques. But this group is all about exercise and fun,” Chicoine said.
She was in Montgomery, Ala. this past weekend competing in the Southeast Dueling Dragon Classic.
She vividly recounted for her Monday morning dragon boaters the little spill her team took this weekend in the water.
“Everybody did everything they were supposed to do. We got out fine,” she said.
Her team still managed to bring home second-place honors from the event.
Rich Huelsman of the Village of Poinciana takes many of the This Boat Rocks beginners under his wing. He makes sure they are outfitted properly and take seriously the motto, “Safety first.”
“We want to make sure everybody is practicing safety and we want them to have fun,” said Huelsman who added that in addition to growing in popularity in The Villages, dragon boating is also becoming more popular across the United States.
The atmosphere is friendly and encouraging.
The group started with about a dozen members this past June. Now it is up to 70 members.
“Out here on the water on a beautiful morning? You can’t beat it,” said Helen Cullen of the Village of Caroline.
Want to give it a try?
Call Chicoine ahead of time at (937) 602-1640. If you decide you want to paddle you must sign a waiver. You can paddle up to two times and then decide if you want to join the
Grand Masters Dragon Boat Club at a cost of $20 per year.
When you try it out, This Boat Rocks will provide a life vest and paddle.
Check out a related video in the “Featured Video” section of www.villages-news.com