PCC Zen Dragons GET READY for 2009!!!!
First we will familiarize you with the two types of watercraft that make our great sport possible.
This is our friend the Heron standing on the bench of a "six-sixteen", our lighter and faster boat style. At about 40 feet in length and between 500 and 1000 lbs, its the boater's favorite.
These are the boats that the fans really love to see out on the water. They were imported from Portland's sister city Kaohsiung, China and weigh nearly 4,000 lbs. They use a cherry picker to put them on the trailers!
Now here's some information about our team and Dragon boat racing:
We are students, employees, and former students of Portland Community College. This club has been an integral part of the Portland dragon boat community for 20 years and going strong. We are a recreational team dedicated to fitness and having fun. In 2008, we have built strong friendships, paddled some great races, won 5 medals, and have amazing memories. Last season we were partnered with Portland State University (PSU) so the pictures from last season includes many of our PSU friends. After mentoring the "PSU Rain Dragons" for the past 3 years, they are now an independent team with a new name. Please welcome the mighty "PSU Green Dragons" to the Portland dragon boat community. PCC Zen Dragons are one team again and we hope that will be part rich history in our 2009 season.
Dragon boating is the fastest growing sport in the world and it is one of the oldest competitive sports in Human history. Dragon boating originated in China and predates Christianity! Races are traditionally held as part of the annual Duanwu Jie (double fifth) festival observance in mainland China and Taiwan. It is referred to as "double fifth" because Duanwu is reckoned as the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, which often falls in the month of June. Competition has taken place annually for over 20 centuries however, it emerged in modern times as an international sport in Hong Kong in 1976.
A typical dragon boat crew consists of around 22; comprising of 20 paddlers, 1 drummer or caller at the front of the boat, and 1 tiller steering the boat at the rear. The caller is the "heart beat" of the boat and keeps the paddlers in time. The tiller steers the boat which is extremely difficult and tillers must be very skilled. The front two paddlers are the timers which keep the entire boat in time with the caller. Our club also have "mid timers" that sit in the middle of the boat which guide and keep the back of the boat in time. A "mixed team" must have 8 women paddling and there are also all men's and women's teams. Typically more competitive teams are in upper divisions (e.g. division 1 and A).
We invite everyone to join our team! We are an extremely multicultural/ diverse club and our ages range from 15-68. There is no criteria for fitness, shape, age, or gender but we do ask that you join our commitment to fitness. Dragon boating is an an amazing core workout and it is great for toning muscles and cardiovascular fitness.
We are starting practice on Monday, March 30th, 2009 from 6:30PM-8:00PM. Meet in front of the Riverfront Hotel at the round-a-bout overlooking the Willamette River at the flag poles. People from last season will be wearing their jerseys so look for the group with the red and white Zen Dragon jerseys.
We look forward to meeting you!
Enjoy the pictures from our 2008 season with the PSU Rain Dragons (now the Green Dragons):
PCC Zen Dragons at Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race 2008.
PCC/PSU Zen Dragons at Portland Dragon Boat Race 2008. YUMMY.
Highlights:
St. Martin's University Dragon Boat Festival in Olympia, WA (April 27th, 2008)
PCC/PSU Zen Dragons at Olympia Race 2008.
Robyn, Jenny, Ashley, and Bethany at Olympia Race 2008.
Rainier Dragon Boat Race in Tacoma, WA (May the 18th, 2008)
Team huddle at Tacoma Race 2008.
Team photo at Tacoma Race 2008.
Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race in Portland, OR (June 7th and June 8th, 2008)
PCC Zen Dragons - Division 2 Quarter Finals
PSU Rain Dragons - Division 4 Bronze Medal Recipients (3rd Place)
PSU Rain Dragons at Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race 2008.
Djambel, Jodi, Fran, and Brandy at Rose Festival 2008. There was a Chippendales joke involved here.
Salem World Beat Festival in Salem, OR (June 29th, 2008)
Division 2 - Bronze Medal Recipients (3rd Place)
Djambel and Jodi at the Salem Dragon Boat Races.
Rob, Joanna, Team friend, Henrick, Cager, at the Salem Race 2008.
Kent Cornucopia Dragon Boat Race in Kent, WA (July 12th, 2008)
Mixed "A" Semifinals
Sue passing the torch (bench pad) to Jenny at the Kent Race 2008.
Jim camping the night before the Kent race. Sorry for singling you out Jim. You do not give us many opportunities for pictures but we love you anyway :).
Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival in Nanaimo, B.C. (July 11-13, 2008)
4 members of the Zen Dragons (Rob, Hannah, Leslie, and Sage) paddled with the Portland Fire Dragons.
Mixed Platinum (Division 1) - Bronze Medal Recipients (3rd Place overall)
Rob and Hannah at Nanaimo Dragon Boat Race 2008.
Portland Dragon Boat Race in Portland, OR (September 6th and 7th)
Mixed "E" - Silver Medal Recipients (2nd Place)
PCC/PSU Zen Dragons at Portland Dragon Boat Race 2008.
Debra and Serap at the Portland Dragon Boat Race 2008.
Fran and Hannah at the Portland Dragon Boat Race 2008.
PCC/PSU Zen Dragons at the Portland Dragon Boat Race Collage 2008 Team Members
From top row, left to right:
(1) AW, Djambel, Debra, John, Joanna, Laurie, Henrick.
(2) Tom, Fran, Robyn, Sue, Serap, Brit, Rob.
(3) Jim, Leslie, Jenny, Birk, Megan, Katie, Hannah.
Team from the 2008 Portland Race
Captains - Sage, Lennie, Fran, Djambel
Coach - Rob and Fran
Caller - Sage
Tillers - Sage and Djambel
Paddlers -
Timers (Front) - TBA (This could be you!)
Front of the boat - TBA (This could be you!)
Timers (Mid)- TBA (This could be you!)
Back of the boat- TBA (This could be you!)
For more information, please contact The Zen Dragons by e-mail.
See you on the water!
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