Dragons and warriors alike will descend Saturday at 8 a.m. on the TVA Park at Chickamauga Dam for a "water war like no other." The purpose of this Chattanooga boating battle is to benefit T.C. Thompson 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 46-foot long Chinese dragon boats, racing through the water to the finish line. Paddlers ages 15 and older at any skill and fitness levels can participate, making it the ultimate team building sport, said officials.
Approximately 30 corporate and community teams are already registered with hopes of raising more than $200,000 during this year’s event.
This year’s event will feature a heat just for our champions; that is the 2012 and 2013 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champions for Tennessee. Local orthodontist and dragon boat festival champion, Dr. Tom Popp, is joining forces with Children’s Hospital Miracle Children to participate in a special race. Dr. Popp’s Miracle Boat will participate in Heat 10 at 10 a.m. and again in an exhibition race prior to the finals at 1:35.
Spectators will be able to cheer on their favorite teams throughout the day as participants display dragon boat apparel and race to the finish line in several different heats. Food vendors will be available and there will be a kids’ zone for the youngest fans. Top prizes will be awarded later in the afternoon to the fastest teams and those raising the most money.
To learn more about the festival or for information on how to volunteer, please call 778-9298, email Christian.Orth@erlanger.org or visit www.paddleforchildrenshospital.org.