Dragons Heading for Dublin!
Fancy trying something new?
Registrations Now Open for the Dublin Dragon Boat Regatta
Friday, 27th June 2014:
It’s the second largest sport in the world with over 50 million people from 76 nations participating annually and for two days this September you too will be able to experience the excitement of dragon boat racing.
Registration is now open for the for the annual Dublin Dragon Boat Regatta which takes place on Saturday, 13th and Sunday, 14th September 2014 in Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock. Entries for the two-day event, which is sponsored by Waterways Ireland, are being accepted on a first come, first served basis. Members of the public are being reminded to register their team now (see idba.midpointit.com) to avoid disappointment and to join the hundreds of paddlers from Ireland and abroad who will be competing at the event. The regatta is co-hosted by the Irish Dragon Boat Association (IDBA) and the Plurabelle Paddlers.
“Dragon boat racing is the world’s fastest growing watersport, and it’s easy to see why,” says Julie Doyle, Chairman of the IDBA. “As a sport it is not only competitive; but it is also very sociable and great fun too. What’s more, no experience is required and the competition is open to people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels. So, there’s no excuse not to give it a go!”
According to Ms. Doyle, dragon boat racing is also a fantastic team-building activity and has proven popular with the corporate and community sectors in Ireland and abroad.
“Last year’s Dublin regatta saw corporate teams representing companies of all sizes – from small local businesses to large multinationals. This year, the event will include the ‘Go for IT’ race specifically for technology companies, many of whom are located near the Grand Canal Dock.”
The races, which will be run over 200 metres and 400 metre distances, will also include Under 18s and International categories, with teams travelling from the UK and Germany already registered and those from as far afield as Dubai and Trinidad and Tobago hoping to participate in the colourful two-day event.
A Breast Cancer category looks set to feature many of the growing number of teams from around the country, including Ireland’s first dragon boat team – Plurabelle Paddlers – which trains at the Grand Canal Dock and will be co-hosting the regatta with the IDBA.
Speaking of the event, Fiona Tiernan, founder of Plurabelle Padders, says, “We really enjoy co-hosting the Dublin Dragon Boat Regatta and welcome both novice and experienced teams to our training ground. It’s set to be a hectic, but fun couple of days and we love when work colleagues, school friends, and extended families enter a team and get involved. You can raise funds for any chosen charity or even turn up in fancy dress; we have a prize for the wackiest team outfit!”
“If you’re not competing, we’d be delighted to see members of the public drop by the Grand Canal Dock on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September to experience the unique atmosphere, cheer on the teams and witness some wonderful dragon boat racing. So, put it in your diary!”
Dragon boat teams for the regatta will consist of 16 to 20 people, along with a drummer. Each team will be supplied with an experienced helms person for their race. Entry fees per team for the two-day event cost €425 (adults) or €255 (under 18s).
Proceeds from the event will go towards Plurabelle Paddlers and to the development of dragon boat racing in Ireland.
For further information on the event and on the sport of dragon boat racing, visit idba.midpointit.com, or email info@dragonboat.ie.
For further information on the Plurabelle Paddlers, visit www.plurabellepaddlers.com
Ends
Further Information
Julie Doyle, Chairman, IDBA, tel: (059) 916 1685/ (085) 7422902
Recent Comments