Grab your paddle!

Riverfront Park in Downtown Nashville is the starting point for the 4th Annual Nashville Dragon Boat Race and Water Festival. The date is Saturday, August 14, 2010.

The race and festival raise awareness and earns money for the Cumberland River Compact and the Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association. If you kayak or canoe in Tennessee, you’re probably familiar with the great work that these two associations do in the way of conservation and making our river accessible to people to enjoy.

Register your team early to save on fees. Last year there were 38 teams registered to race – so don’t lose your spot, register today!

Dragon Boat Racing is a great team-building experience. Even if you’ve never raced before, this may be the event to consider. Competitive yes, but also a great experience whether you’re racing with friends, family or any group of people. Dragon Boat racing differs from other team sports in that no one person on the team is more important than another. Winning a Dragon Boat race hinges on how well a team works together at paddling in sync at the same time, and how well each paddler perfects the stroke technique. The popularity of Dragon Boat racing has exploded, with an estimated 50 million people participating in the sport around the world annually.

If you’re not a racer, feel free to volunteer or just attend the event. There will be music, art, food and lots of vendors. Watching the race from the downtown banks of the Cumberland River is an exciting way to spend a summer afternoon.

Some info for racers:

• The dragon boat race course is a 250-meter run roughly between the Shelby Street walking bridge and the Woodland Street bridge. Your team will be outfitted with paddles, personal flotation devices, and a Dragon Boat.
• You’ll be racing in a four-boat heat in river water with the current.
• Start and finish lines are marked with buoys. The lanes are not marked but the course is straight.

Find out more about the Nashville Dragon Boat Race and Water Festival, visit our Races and Events Page.

If You Go…Let Us Know! Click here to send us a note about the Nashville Dragon Boat Race and Water Festival and we may publish your report right here on BornToPaddle.com!

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