Dragon Boat Festival on August 2 at High Rock Lake!
The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce will present the inaugural Rowan Chamber Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Shrine Club on High Rock Lake (6480 Long Ferry Road).
Sponsors include Trinity Oaks; Novant Health Rowan Medical Center and Pinnacle Orthopedics, Wells Fargo Bank, United Beverages and Cheerwine.
“The Rowan Chamber is excited to bring this fun event to our community. It highlights our quality of life with abundant water resources, friendly people and unique team building opportunities for businesses!” said Ann Pressly (Trinity Oaks), chair of the Dragon Boat Festival Committee.
There are 20 teams registered and organizers anticipate a crowd of more than 800 attendees. The event is free to attend; however, no coolers or pets will be allowed. There will be music, food and refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and make it a fun lake party.
Dragon Boat racing dates back more than 2,300 years to a tradition from Ancient China. 45 foot long sleek boats — embellished with dragon heads, tails and scales — seat 20 paddlers. A drummer sits in the bow pounding the drum to the beat of the paddlers’ stroke, and a steersperson stands in the stern guiding the team down the race course.
High Five Dragon Boat of Tampa, Fla., will provide each team with all the necessary equipment (boat, paddles, life vests). Teams will learn how to paddle during an introductory practice session which is included in team registration fee. Each team will provide 20 paddlers (a minimum of eight must be female) and a drummer. On race day each team will race in three heats on a 350m straight course.
For more information, contact the Rowan Chamber at 704-633-4221 or info@rowanchamber.com or visit www.rowanchamberdragonboat.com

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Short version:
Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rowan Shrine Club on High Rock Lake, 6480 Long Ferry Road
More than 20 teams participating
Bring your lawn chair or a blanket, No pets or coolers
Free admission and free parking; food and beverage vendors on site
www.RowanChamberDragonBoat.com

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Fast Facts for Forming a Dragon Boat Team

The Dragon Boat:
• The sport stems from an ancient Chinese legend
• Each Dragon Boat is 42 feet long
• 10 rows seat 20 paddlers
• A steersperson uses a 9-foot oar as a rudder, standing in the stern
• A drummer sits in a seat at the bow, facing the crew
Roster:
• 20 paddlers, minimum of 8 females, must be in the boat at all times
• 1 drummer (minimum age 12 years old)
• 4 alternate paddlers allowed and can be rotated in any way that your team would like
• All paddlers must be 14 years of age or older
• High Five Dragon Boat provides your team with a steersperson
Practice:
• 1 practice session is included for each registered team and can be scheduled during the week leading up to the event.
• Practices will include the basics of paddling and the basics of racing
Equipment:
• Paddles, life vests, boats, drums, and steerspersons will be provided to each team at practice and on the day of the race
Race Day is Saturday, Aug. 2:
• The event will take place at Rowan Shrine Club on High Rock Lake, 6480 Long Ferry Road
• Teams will be assigned a rest area in the park to set up a team tent, chairs, tables and coolers
• Each team will race in 3 heats; there is no elimination
• The course is 350 meters in a straight line with 3 lanes
• Each team will have 45-60 minutes between heats
• Division winners will be awarded in a post-racing awards ceremony
Cost:
• $1,500 for a corporate sponsored team (non-Chamber member)
• $1,000 for a corporate sponsored team (Chamber member)
• $750 for a community or nonprofit team
• $650 for a club or visiting team
• All of the necessary equipment is included

Press release from Trinity Oaks:
Trinity Oaks is sponsoring one of the boats: The Trinity Oaks Dragon Slayers
Never Slow Down! That’s the Trinity Oaks motto, and thanks to the Rowan Chamber Dragon Boat Festival, that motto now applies on water as well as on land. Look out for the Dragon Slayers from Trinity Oaks as they slice through the waters of High Rock Lake like Ninjas! This multi-generational team ranges in age from 28 to 70 and includes both Trinity Oaks residents and staff members, both athletes and non-athletes. Participating in three races, the Dragon Slayers are looking forward to a day of fun and camaraderie on High Rock Lake. Dragon boat racing is just the latest of the many activities enjoyed by residents of Trinity Oaks, which is always seeking ways to redefine the senior living community.