View photos and message from Marina del Rey Visitors Bureau!
MARCH 7, 2022 (MARINA DEL REY, CA) — The inaugural Marina del Rey Dragon Boat Festival took place on Saturday, Mar. 5 at Burton Chace Park. Hundreds of spectators came to cheer for more than 40 teams in the Marina del Rey with paddlers varying in age from 10- to 70-years-old. Paddlers and teams came to L.A.’s Marina to compete from various areas including Long Beach, San Diego and as far as Arizona, Nevada and Texas.
The opening ceremony kicked off with a lively traditional Chinese Lion Drum Dance. Paddlers also participated in a traditional flower ceremony to raise awareness of the ongoing fight against breast cancer. Flowers were tossed into the water as a touching tribute to those who passed and could not participate in the races.
“The fast-growing sport of dragon boat racing is one that promotes cultural diversity and wellness,” said Nathan Salazar, Dragon Boat Festival organizer and head coach of the Los Angeles County Dragon Boat Club. “The outpouring of sportsmanship and excitement throughout the day made this a fun and successful event for everyone.”
Photo courtesy of Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau
Special guests from the community shared welcome remarks at the opening ceremony including Gary Jones, Director of Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, Laura Muraida with the office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell and Janet Zaldua, CEO of Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“It was a special day in L.A.’s Marina, gathering together as a community to celebrate the beautiful traditions of dragon boat racing ,” said Zaldua. “As the largest man-made small-craft harbor in North America, Marina del Rey was a perfect backdrop for the dragon boat paddling enthusiasts and we hope to welcome more dragon boat racing events here in the future.”
The following were some of the teams who participated: Los Angeles County Dragon Boat Club; Adaptive Fusion, a group of blind and deaf paddlers; and Los Angeles Pink Dragons, the first breast cancer survivor dragon boat team in Los Angeles.
The Marina del Rey Dragon Boat Festival was sponsored by Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau, Marina del Rey Lessees Association, Caruso, ProSUP Shop, Wahoo’s, and Team DPW.
Photo courtesy of Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau
Photo courtesy of Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau
Photo courtesy of Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau
Photo courtesy of Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau
Photo courtesy of Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau
For more info: ladragonboat.com
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