Alameda’s dragon boat racing team, the DragonFlyers, proudly paddled under our Island City’s flag at the 49th annual Vogalonga festival in Venice, Italy, on June 8. The Vogalonga is a non-competitive event that celebrates the beauty and tradition of Venice.
Paddling with over 2,000 other non-motorized watercraft and 8,000 participants from around the world, the DragonFlyers completed the 30-kilometer route between the lagoon, its small island, and the magnificent Grand Canal of Venice in a little over five hours.
The DragonFlyers hold many fond memories of the Vogalonga but most of all, sharing our pride for Alameda with countries from all over the world. This trip to Venice marks the second time the DragonFlyers have joined the Vogalonga, having participated in 2014. The DragonFlyers participate in three-to-five races each year and travel to a variety of local, national, and international racing venues.
The DragonFlyers home is next to Nob Hill Foods, 2531 Blanding Avenue, in Alameda. You might see them practicing along the estuary on Monday and Wednesday evenings during daylight saving time or on weekdays during the winter off-season, and on Saturday mornings year-round.
The Alameda DragonFlyers were established in 2000 and now have 60-70 members. But dragon boat racing is one of the oldest—and fastest growing—sports in the world. It originated in China about 2,000 years ago and is popular today throughout Asia, the Pacific Islands, Europe, and North America, according to the Alameda team’s website.
Dragon boat racing is an exciting sport with opportunities for competition, fitness, travel and socializing. To learn more about the sport and the Alameda DragonFlyers, visit the Alameda DragonFlyers website and check out their Facebook page.
If participating in a competitive sport in an atmosphere of fun, fitness and friendship sounds good to you, considering signing up for a novice practice on the website. We welcome men and women of all ages to join our team.
And keep an eye out for the team in the 4th of July parade!
