If you’re in Chatham on a summer evening and look out onto the Thames River, you might be able to spot a 12 metre long dragon boat, its paddlers hard at work preparing for this season races.
The Raging Dragons of Chatham-Kent (RDoCK) have been a dragon boat team for over 20 years and is currently made up of paddlers ranging in age from 18 to 65, most of whom took up the sport as adults.
Anyone can be competitive even if you are new to the sport or have been at it for years, once you learn the correct paddle stroke. Many of the team members are couples, this allows them to spend time together while training and competing. The team also has many paddlers, young and old that join individually.
New paddlers become part of a competitive team environment, where everyone works hard and plays hard. During practices and on race days, the Dragons are acutely focused on their timing and form, when they are not on the water RDoCK is always getting involved in other activities outside of dragon boating, including curling, feather bowling, running, penny auctions, lawn bowling, archery tag, and charity events. The Dragons are always ready to try a new event.
You can find the Dragons on the water from late April to the end of September, the team practices on the Thames twice a week from the docks behind the Fire Hall, King Street and Second Street, Chatham.
The Dragons have an extensive collection of medals they have earned throughout their history and are looking forward to adding to their collection this season.
The Raging Dragons of Chatham-Kent are looking for paddlers, whether experienced or new to the sport. If you’re interested in joining the team, please email us at: rdock@cogeco.ca
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