Here there be dragons
Hundreds gather for Canal Dock’s annual Dragon Boat Regatta
On June 3, 2023, a dozen dragons were spotted in the New Haven harbor. “Dragons” are not necessarily a new occurrence in these waters. In the 17th century, European settlers and sailors named the lower Quinnipiac River “dragon” after the multitude of harbor seals, known as “sea dragons” that populated the waters. Over the decades, pollution and development drove these creatures away, but in 2016, the Canal Dock Boathouse introduced a different kind of dragon to the harbor, in the form of large canoe-like vessels with ornately carved dragon’s heads and tails. These dragons emerged for a single day with a single focus: to be crowned victor in the Boathouse’s annual Dragon Boat Regatta.
Dragon Boat Racing — a traditional Chinese watercraft activity dating back 2000 years — is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world and a favorite among charities and corporations for its fundraising and team-building benefits. Indeed, Canal Dock’s Dragon Boat Regatta serves as an important fundraiser for the organization, helping them continue their mission connecting people to New Haven’s waterfront through programs and activities including community days, dry land rowing, yoga class on the platform, kayaking, rowing, and dragon boating.
The Regatta brings together a broad spectrum of the community, including local businesses, clubs and high school participants. The entry fee of $1700 allows teams to sponsor a boat which holds 16 paddlers and 1 drummer. Crews — comprised of people of all ages and experience — sit in pairs and paddle while a drummer beats time to keep them in unison and a helms person guides the boat. All boats are required to have at least 6 females inclusive of transgender, nonbinary and gender nonconforming individuals.
Thus year a dozen boats vied for the gold. Participants included two groups that have been with the event since its inception: Tuff Girls gym and ASSA ABLOY/Sargent. Each brought three teams this year. The Wheel Good Paddlers was made up of members of the New Haven Bicycle Club paired with public high school participants. The Glandmasters from Yale Endocrinology and Vespoli both re-entered the Regatta this year after a hiatus, and Griffin Hospital returned for a second year. Joining them were new teams from mActivity gym and Reed Hilderbrand Architects.
Race conditions were windy and the competition fierce, with only hundreds of a second separating some of the head to head challenges. In the end, Tuff Girls Fitness Boat 3 paddled their way to first place, dethroning the two year reigning champions, the Wheel Good Paddlers, who took third. Coming in second was ASSA ABLOY’s Orange boat.
Building on this year’s success, Canal Dock hopes to host 18 boats at the 2024 Dragon Boat Regatta, set for June 1, 2024. Additionally, they plan on introducing a men’s and women’s division, in addition to the existing co-ed division.
“The funding that Canal Dock receives from the Quinnipiac River Fund ensures that we are able to provide equitable access and services to area residents who would not otherwise be able to participate in activities on or around New Haven’s waterways. The ability to get out on the New Haven Harbor or Quinnipiac River can be a life changing experience. Because of the grant funding that we receive from the Quinnipiac River Fund, we are able to provide access to boating and paddling activities to hundreds of youth and adults residing in the greater New Haven area every year. We hold monthly Community Boating Days during the warmer months where individuals, many of whom have never been on the water in a boat, are able to paddle the harbor and experience the birds and marine life around them. All of our youth programs are
free for New Haven Public School Students and they provide exposure to Long Island Sound and the Quinnipiac River. We are so grateful for this grant as it has expanded our ability to provide equitable access and services to the entire community.” – Hollis Martens, Executive Director, Canal Dock Boathouse, Inc.
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘