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Dragon boats are canoe-shaped boats used for racing during the annual Dragon Boat Festival, typically seating 10-20 oarsmen. The festival coincides with the Fifth Fifth Festival and is celebrated worldwide. Dragon boats are usually decorated with the head and tail of a dragon, and races are crewed by a leader and oarsmen who use a large paddle. Races are held all over the world, and the most skilled teams can row up to 100 strokes per minute.
A dragon boat is a canoe-shaped boat used for racing. They are typically about 40 feet (12 meters) long and hold between 10-20 oarsmen, known as oarsmen. The races take place during the annual Dragon Boat Festival, a festival that originated in ancient China.
The Dragon Boat Festival usually coincides with the Fifth Fifth Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth moon. In the United States, the festival usually takes place around June. According to legend, the Double Fifth was the most unlucky day of the year, when river dragons demanded offerings to deliver optimal rainfall for crops.
The boats used during the festival are usually decorated with the head and tail of a dragon to honor ancient beliefs. Before the race, it is tradition to have a red Taoist monk in the dragon’s eyes. This gesture symbolized the dragon coming to life during the race. These decorations are removed immediately after the festivities.
In China, most dragon boats are made by hand and can vary in composition and style. There are two basic types of boats used in North American racing: Hong Kong style and Taiwan style. The more popular of the two, the Hong Kong-style boat is slender and sleek, typically seating around 20 people very close to the water’s surface. A Taiwan style dragon boat tends to be heavier and wider. The main difference between the two styles is that a Taiwan-style ship requires a slot for a flag shooter. In Taiwanese-style racing, a flag must be thrown to win the race, while in Hong Kong-style the winner is determined by which dragon-nose crosses the line first.
A dragoon boat is typically crewed by a leader, known as the drummer, and 10-20 oarsmen, although some crews can be as large as 50. The drummer sets the pace for the crew and gives the signal for when to row with a drum or a gong. Rowers sit facing forward and use a large paddle instead of a traditional canoe paddle. The most skilled teams in the world can row up to 100 strokes per minute.
The run itself is usually about 500 meters (1,640 ft) in length, but some may be longer or shorter. Races take place all over the world on the day of the festival. Since the 1970s, dragon boats have been gaining popularity in the Western world. Races are held not only in many Asian countries, but also in Canada, the United States, and Europe.
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