Dragon Boat Regatta comes to Sugar Land

published Jul. 20, 2012

Area boaters are encouraged to form a team and compete during this year's annual Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Regatta.

For Fort Bend County, October is always a special month because of the dragon boat races. This year, the ninth annual event's theme is "Year of the Water Dragon" and reflects on breakthroughs, not disasters. Paddlers from various corporate, youth, community and out-of-town teams will paddle across Brooks Lake in Sugar Land to compete in the Dragon Boat Regatta.

Competitors in this year's race include teams of breast cancer survivors who symbolize hope and triumph, according to the press release. The race focuses on breast cancer in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Breast Cancer Survivor teams are composed of breast cancer survivors, caregivers and friends paddling a boat that is 40 feet long, 4 feet wide and weighs 500 pounds. Team members range in age from 30s to late 80s. Teams as near as Louisiana and far as Canada compete in the annual event. Last year the MD Anderson Super Heroes Youth team, a mix of leukemia and cancer teenagers with parents, doctors, nurses and others, received ovations and cheers as they completed. They plan to participate again this year.

Each team that competes in the dragon boat race has 25 team members. The Fort Bend event is one of the largest multicultural and team-building activities in the county and brings more than 5,000 visitors, according to a press release.

Samples of Asian cuisine, colorful arts and crafts and cultural performances will also be on hand during the races.

The free family event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 to Oct. 21 at Brooks Lake at Fluor Daniels Campus, 1 Fluor Daniel Drive, Sugar Land.

Those who are interested in competing or would like to become a sponsor or volunteer should email director@texasdragonboat.com or visit texasdragonboat.com.

Image 1 of 5

This year, the ninth annual event's theme is "Year of the Water Dragon" and reflects on breakthroughs, not disasters. Provided by TEXAS DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION