Dragon Boat races are the fastest growing water sport activity in the world today.  More than 2,000,000 people world-wide participate in dragon boat festivals.  Dragon boat participants are 40 percent women and 60 percent men, and include teams from corporations of all sizes, community groups, financial institutions, health care organizations, and even service clubs and non-profit groups.  The most common dragon boat set-up is 10 rows of seats for paddlers, a drummer in the front, and a steersman in the back.  The modern dragon boat is 40 feet long and weighs more than 500 pounds. 

A dragon boat race dates back to the Chou Dynasty.   Races were held on a day known as Poet’s Day, which commemorates the death of Qu Yuan,  Qu had protested against the corrupt government and was stripped of his office as Minister of State.  He wandered about the countryside, unhappy and dejected.  When local fishermen realized Qu had disappeared into the river, they raced out in their boats to save him, beating drums to scare off the fish that they thought would eat his body.  They also dropped rice dumplings in the water as a sacrifice to his spirit.  The scene of the fishermen racing out to save Qu Yuan is reenacted every year in the form of dragon boat races.

The first annual Oshkosh Dragonboat Race & Festival was held Sept. 23, 2006. Thirty teams participated in this community event designed to celebrate education, family, culture and the waterways of Oshkosh. The event was hosted as in conjunction with the UW Oshkosh Fall Fest celebration, and in partnership with the YMCA and the Grand Opera House.

In 2007 the race grew to 45 teams. Jerry Burke, a local newscasting icon, served as sportscaster during the event.  Local teams welcomed newcomers from throughout the state. With races every 20 minutes and an expanded athlete's village, participants lined the waterways and filled the Leach Amphitheater.

2008 promises an even larger event with more activities and entertainment for participants and spectators with 49 teams registered today. Local organizations and companies who would like to be involved can also contact us.