DRAGONS INVADE BEAUFORT
Story by Barbara Kelly Photography by Richard Darby
The ancient Chinese tradition of dragon boat racing has become the world’s fastest growing water sport. International racing clubs exist in more than sixty countries and it is estimated that over 50 million enthusiasts participate in the sport each year. It should therefore come as no surprise to learn that Coastal Living’s Happiest Seaside Town, 2013 also boasts its own winning team, DragonBoat Beaufort (DBB). And that this summer, DBB will host Race Day, an exciting new event, during the 58th annual Beaufort Water Festival.
Over 500 competitors, many from out-of-town, and their cheering fans will join hundreds of spectators on Saturday, July 20th from noon to 5pm at Waterfront Park. As the dragon boats race on the Beaufort River close to the sea wall, everyone will have a great view of the action. Local and out-of-town 21-person teams can look forward to a fabulous event with formidable competition, a terrific party and a celebration of cancer survivors, all benefiting The Water Festival and the cancer survivor programs of DragonBoat Beaufort.
DragonBoat Beaufort a mixed cancer survivor/supporter team is constantly recruiting new team members and supporters.
Dragon boaters come in all ages, shapes and sizes.
Anything but a maudlin group of people commiserating over their challenges, this team is an amazing group of high-energy,
high-spirited individuals who are determined to fulfill DBB’s two-fold mission: To heal and regain physical and psychological strength and wellness through teamwork, camaraderie and competition and to raise funds to assist local cancer patients with needs they are unable to meet.
On May 4th , DragonBoat Beaufort raced in the Charleston Dragon Boat Festival and jumped from last year’s participant class G to class C. The enthusiastic team brought home gold and silver medals, beating their cousins, mentors and rival – Dragon Boat Charleston (DBC). DBC was the subject of the 2012 Beaufort International Film Festival’s award-winning documentary film, “Awaken the Dragon” that inspired the creation of Beaufort’s amazing team a year and a half ago.
I recently spoke with two members of the team who are cancer survivors. For ten years, Mary Ann Thomas battled a devastating form of breast cancer with all manner of treatments, beginning when her son was a small child. She spoke frankly about how difficult and frightening those years were for her as a single working mom.
An unintended side effect of her treatment was damage to her heart and dragon boating has become a big part of her physical and mental conditioning. As a cancer survivor, Mary Ann feels an obligation to help others fighting this disease.
While vacationing in Paris after her recovery, she fell in love with her husband Jeff, who went on to purchase the Cuthbert House (Bed and Breakfast) as a retirement project. They were later married in the courtyard and continue to live happily ever after post-cancer.
Mary Ann’s journey is an inspiration to all of us, especially to Jeannie Wells, one of our newer team members. Diagnosed with lymphoma before Christmas, Jeannie began paddling while still in treatment. Although weak from her final round of chemo, she reports being ready to return to practice and plans to help with Race Day. Jeannie loves being out on the river and finds it healing to be among people who have undergone similar experiences themselves or with loved ones. Many team members have posted their stories on our website http://www.dragonboatbeaufort.org/team.html
The carnation ceremony, a tradition at dragon boat festivals with mixed survivor/supporter teams, will be held at 2:30 on Race Day in memory of fellow paddlers who have lost their battle and in celebration of friends and family members who are still struggling with cancer. The positive response from the crowds observing the carnation ceremony last year at the Blessing of the Fleet was so overwhelming that this year, carnations will be available for the public to toss into the river as a tribute to loved ones.
If you enjoy fierce competition, crazy costumes, music, food, and the energy of hundreds of dragon boaters and wish to support a poignant community outreach effort please consider joining us as a sponsor, or as a corporate, neighborhood or friends’ team. Each team should consist of 20 paddlers, one drummer with three alternates. As hosts, DBB will provide the boats, a steersperson, life jackets, and paddles on Race Day and during team training prior to the Festival.
All team members must be at least 14 years of age.
This year will be all about fun as we train the newbies to the beat of the dragon drums. Next year the serious competition begins.
To become a part of the first DragonBoat Beaufort Race Day, click the link on our website to let us know if you’re interested. Your office, department, company or friends will have a BLAST!
To donate, sponsor, organize teams, or to volunteer at Race Day, please call (843) 575-5542 or visit our Race Day website at www.raceday@dragonboatbeaufort.org.
Membership applications are available at our website: www.dragonboatbeaufort.org.
Come ride the dragon – whatever your role. Be there when the dragons invade Beaufort on Race Day!
