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The 10th Annual San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival was held at Treasure Island the weekend of August 27–28, 2005.

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Chinese Dragon Boats race in Clipper Cove at Treasure Island

Almost 100 Dragon Boat teams participated in Clipper Cove between Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island over two days in what is now known as the San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival—previously the Northern California Dragon Boat Championships. The festival moved from Lake Merced to Treasure Island to allow for more participants and spectators.

Two dozen local boats vied with teams from Canada, Oregon and throughout California over a 500 meter course. Novice teams including several high schools competed on a 300 meter course.

Champions were recognized in Novice, High School, Competitive, Recreational and College categories.

In addition to Dragon Boat races the San Francisco Festival also featured cultural performances including lion dance, taiko drumming, Polynesian and Chinese folk dance and more. There was also a Dragon Land for the kids with free activities and games.



A rock climbing wall and US Marines Endurance Challenge Obstacle Course, Book Factory, food and a variety of arts, crafts, and fitness related vendors contributed to the festive atmosphere.

Dragon Boats have a dragon's head on the prow and a tail at the stern with 20 paddlers 10 to a side. A drummer sets the pace and the 22nd team member is responsible for steering.

Traditional boats in China and Hong Kong were raced with 12 pairs of paddlers—24 total—but as dragon boat racing became popular internationally shipping boats overseas in 40' containers favored shorter boats. While dragon boats were initially made of teak, todays race boats are fiberglass with closed-cell foam in the bulkheads to ensure positive buoyancy.

Chinese Dragon Boat races and festivals may date to over 250 BC as one legend has fishermen in long boats, beating drums to scare fish away and throwing dumplings into the water to keep fish from eating the body of Qu Yuan—beloved minister to the Emperor during the Zhou dynasty. Qu Yuan had thrown himself into the Milou River in despair after failure to follow his advice resulted in the Zhou being defeated by the Quin Kingdom.

Dragon Boat festivals are traditionally on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month—the anniversary of Qu Yuan's death. Dragon Boat races are a highlight of these festivals which take place all over China, Hong Kong and many other Chinese communities.

Dragon Boat festivals are held in over 40 countries. In Canada the Toronto Dragon Boat Festival attracts over 200 teams and 6,000 paddlers to an annual event celebrating its 17th year. There are also festivals in Victoria, Regina and Ottawa and Edmonton. The United Kingdom has several festivals. Melbourne, Australia has been hosting an International Dragon Boat Festival for 21 years.

In the United States Boston celebrated its 26th Annual Dragon Boat Festival this year on the Charles River. Portland has hosted the Portland-Kaohsiung Sister City Association Dragon Boat races for 16 years. There are also festivals in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Tampa has been selected to host the 2006 U.S. National Dragon Boat Championships under the auspices of the United States Dragon Boat Federation (USDBF).

There are numerous online forums for those interested in Dragon Boats and Dragon Boat racing including one at Yahoo! Groups.

Visit San Francisco's Chinatown on iNeTours.com.