Be a part of the 2nd Annual Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival, held at Lake Arlington Park, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The combination of the culture of Chicago and the spirit of dragon boating guarantees participants and spectators an one-of-a-kind racing experience.
WHAT IS DRAGON BOAT RACING?
Coined as the “ultimate team sport’, dragon boat racing is the world’s fastest growing water sport. This 2,500-year old Chinese sport involves 20 team members paddling in unison to a drummer’s beat in a long, narrow boat decorated at the bow and stern with a dragon’s head and tail. Dragon Boat racing is recognized for the camaraderie, strength and endurance fostered among the participants and has become extremely popular as a corporate team-building activity.
Dragon boat races feature an exhilarating combination of premier sport competition in concert with an entertainment showcase for corporations, community organizations, and families. They provide great opportunities for sponsors to reach a diverse group of consumers and business networks through an innovative medium.
START YOUR OWN COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION DRAGON BOAT TEAM TODAY!
The secret to success in dragon boat is collaboration, communication, commitment and coordination. Dragon boating is a fun team-building activity and participating in a dragon boat race can be a great way to bring together a group or company.
ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE:
The following options are available to enhance your team’s experience:
-Custom team jerseys / clothing
-Team tent upgrades
-Tent furnishings
-Additional practices and coaching
-On-site catering
Event Highlights
● Over 1,000 participants and 1,500 spectators
● Minimum three (3) races per team
● Multiple race divisions include BCS, Open and Women’s division races
● Specialty and Industry Challenge Cups (i.e. public services, breast cancer survivors, crossfit-sport industry)
● World class boats, equipment with electronic timing
● Lots of awards and great fundraising prizes
● Support a local charity
Festival Highlights
● Athletes’ Village
● Vendor / Exhibitor Village & Food Concessions
● Health & Wellness Zone
● Dragon’s Nest Kids Zone
● Live entertainment
● Free Parking and Shuttle
Raising Funds for a Good Cause
A charitable component comprises a large part of what dragonboat racing is all about, with festivals across North America raising millions of dollars each year for worthwhile causes. GWN will be working with the local community to identify an official cause for the 2013 event. For more information, please feel free to contact us at dragonboat at tapchicago.org.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
1. Elect a team captain
2. Recruit 20 paddlers (TAP-Chicago dragon boat team coordinator can provide additional materials)
3. Have your team captain to submit registration form and payment
4. The Chicago Dragon Boat Festival will contact the team captain to book your practice and team site location
5. Get ready to paddle, get fit, and have fun
GROWING THE DRAGON BOAT SPORT IN CHICAGO:
This year TAP-Chicago is a marketing partner with GWN for the 201 Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival
TAP-Chicago is an Illinois not-for-profit organization founded in 2008 to help strengthen and unite the Taiwanese American community in Chicagoland. We provide social networking, cultural, professional development, athletic, community service, and leadership opportunities to Taiwanese American professionals in their 20s and 30s. From humble beginnings, TAP-Chicago has grown to 1000+ members and has hosted over 80 events since our inception 5 years ago! In fulfilling our mission, we collaborate with many different Asian American, cultural, professional, and social service organizations in the greater Chicagoland area.
Dragon boat racing is the fastest growing water sport in the world. Great White North (GWN) is the continent’s largest, full-service dragon boat racing company. Each year, GWN produces more than 40 dragon boat events which raise millions of dollars for community and charitable partners. GWN offers start-to-finish event management services, corporate team-building experiences, social marketing initiatives, premier training camps, and equipment sales and leases.
Produced by GWN in partnership with TAP-Chicago, the 2013 Chicago International Dragon boat festival is where fun and sun come together. Join us!
For more information about registering a team or becoming a vendor/exhibitor for the 2013 Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival event, please contact the TAP-Chicago Dragon Boat Festival Coordinator.
CONTACT INFO:
Hauwei Lien, TAP-Chicago Dragon Boat Festival Coordinator
Email: dragonboat (at) tapchicago.org
Phone: 302-559-5948