Charleston team takes Dragon Boat Racing prize

Richmond Sports Backers rallied 33 teams through the hot July sun all Saturday long to celebrate Richmond’s second annual Dragon Boat Festival at Rocketts Landing. The Richmond Sports Backers event are always about fitness and fun, and the Dragon Boat Races certainly look like both. For both years the event has been held, the only big complaint I’ve heard (and […]

July 31, 2011; 12:01 AM • by Phil Riggan

Richmond Sports Backers rallied 33 teams through the hot July sun all Saturday long to celebrate Richmond’s second annual Dragon Boat Festival at Rocketts Landing.

The Richmond Sports Backers event are always about fitness and fun, and the Dragon Boat Races certainly look like both. For both years the event has been held, the only big complaint I’ve heard (and experienced) is that it is too hot, and there isn’t enough shade down at Rocketts Landing. Since the event takes almost all day, the heat tends to wear everyone down.

Dragon Boat Charleston from Charleston, SC, captured first place in the Premier Mixed Division A, while the DC Dragon and the DC Dragonistas took the titles in the Open division and the Women’s division, respectively.

In addition to the overall winners, Rocketts Landing awarded the Best Local Richmond Team Award to the BB&T Riverrockers. The team, finishing fourth overall, was the fastest local team to paddle the 500m course on the James River.

More than 3,000 people crowded the banks of the James River at Rocketts Landing for Saturday’s festival, according to an estimate from the Sports Backers.

As for the winners, from the Sports Backers Facebook page:

Thanks to everyone for making today such a huge success! Congratulations to Dragon Boat Charleston for taking home the title.

Congrats to the industry cup winners: Mekong is for beer lovers, Bootcamp Powerhouse, BB&T/Scott & Stringfellow and Next Level Fitness!

See more photos on my flickr page

July 31, 2011 12:01 AM 0