Amongst the recently conducted water events in Rotorua, the National Dragon Boat Championships 2011 were undoubtedly a highlight. Dragon boat enthusiasts were delighted by the spectacle of the best crews in the country competing for the accolade of being the finest team in the nation.
   
The shores of the Blue Lake ‘Tikitapu’ provided spectators with a sensational view of New Zealand’s premier dragon boat crews as they vied for the title. The teams’ energetic haka dances, the beat of traditional drums and rhythmic chanting created an exhilarating atmosphere accompanying the exertions of high school as well as adult teams. Racing conformed to International Dragon Boat Federation norms with race distances of 2,000 metres, 500 metres and 200 metres. Several distinct categories were contested, namely girls’ schools, boys’ schools, mixed schools, adult, women and Breast Cancer Survivors.

Races were launched at intervals of about 10 minutes, with from four to six dragon boats in each race. Competitors included sports club teams, company backed teams, and Breast Cancer Survivors teams contesting in the same heats.

There was no lack of food and drink for the spectators with vendors supplying burgers, coffee, pizza, sandwiches, ice cream, fries and hot dogs.

Dragon boat racing is an intriguing sport which is considered to be the fastest growing water sport on the globe. Today more than 50 million enthusiasts have taken to this unique competitive sport. The origins of dragon boating are traced to southern China. Even today the boats feature an intricately sculpted dragon’s head at the front and a dragon’s tail at the rear, giving each boat a unique exotic appearance that captures the imagination of the beholder.