Dragon Boat early registrations due

photo Dragon Boat Festival participants race on Chickamauga Lake near the dam. The 2011 festival had 62 local teams and 23 national and club crew teams racing the 200-meter stretch. The beach at TVA Park offers a clear vantage point of the action.

Monday is the deadline for teams to register in the annual Dragon Boat race and still receive $100 off the registration fee.

The Dragon Boat race will be May 19 at TVA Park at Chickamauga Dam to benefit Children's Hospital at Erlanger.

Dating back more than 2,300 years, dragon boat racing features teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerer in a 41-foot-long Chinese dragon boat. Paddlers of all ages, skill and fitness levels can participate.

The entry fee is $700 per corporate team or $650 nonprofit team by Monday; $800 corporate and $750 nonprofit after that. A deposit of 50 percent of the fee is due with registration, the balance due by May 7.

Participants are encouraged to raise $3,600 per team, or $172 per person in pledges, which is approximately 10 cents for every child treated annually at Children's Hospital. Teams may also decorate their tents, wear their dragon apparel and cheer throughout the races.

Last year, paddlers from 46 teams raised more than $107,000 in pledges for Children's Hospital.

Final registration is Monday, May 7. Corporate and community teams may register online at www.chattanooga.racedragonboats.com.

For more information on how to participate as a team or volunteer, call Children's Hospital Foundation office, 778-8057, or email Ali.Dunn@erlanger.org.

Upcoming Events