In the classic film “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” Harry — and three other candidates chosen from prestigious schools of witchcraft and wizardry — must triumph over fire-breathing dragons to earn points in a magical challenge.
For Harry and his friends, dragons are dangerous opponents, to be outwitted and defeated and, above all, feared.
Sombrero Beach provides a unique direct-from-the-beach launch for the boats and terrific viewing for spectators.
Dragons also loom large in Chinese legend. During the fourth century B.C. and the Ch’u dynasty in China, a patriotic poet and advisor to the emperor named Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River in defiance of the corruption of the era. And that’s where the dragons came in.
Local fishermen, desperate to keep the river’s water dragons and fish from consuming Qu Yuan’s earthly body, beat drums and vigorously splashed the water with their boats’ paddles.
Which brings us to Marathon in the Florida Keys, a place where dragons have a far friendlier reputation. Instead of enemies to be subdued, they’re actually “teammates” in a lively sport called dragon boat racing.
The modern dragon boat race pays tribute to the ancient fishermen’s courage by re-enacting their race to save Qu Yuan. And in Marathon’s “Battle in the Bay” challenge this year, you’ll find a fleet of sleek, graceful dragon-headed boats whose teams will attempt to power them through the water faster than their competitors.
Spectators can watch the high-energy races and enjoy a variety of fun-filled beachfront activities.
One of the world’s fastest-growing water sports, dragon boat racing involves 20 paddlers moving in unison in each vessel — in a breathtaking combination of strength, teamwork and synchronized competitive spirit. Teams propel their 40-foot-long racing “dragons” along a 400-meter racecourse, as a drummer and steerperson keep rhythm and direct them.
Marathon’s annual Dragon Boat Festival is set for Saturday, June 2, at the newly renovated Sombrero Beach. It offers spectators a day of beachfront racing excitement, festivities and fun in the sun.
Sombrero Beach provides a unique direct-from-the-beach launch for the race boats, whose elaborate dragon designs originated in ancient China.
Dragons, by the way, are also strong and powerful symbol of spring rains and growth in Chinese culture. And while the Chinese astrology calendar states that the next year of the dragon isn’t until 2024, this is definitely the year to catch dragon boat racing in Marathon’s clear blue waters.
Teams in the dragon boat challenge perform with grace, style and unmatched synchronicity.
Group teams of up to 25 people can register to participate as mixed, women, senior, youth and breast cancer survivors. Each team typically races three times during the competition.
In the U.S., teams compete in a countrywide dragon-race circuit. For the Florida Keys event, however, organizers encourage corporate, community and recreational “club” teams to network and take part in the Dragon Boat Festival to raise money for their respective charities. Paddles, life vests, training and coaching are provided by the event’s producers.
On June 2, the on-the-water action is expected to begin at 9 a.m. and conclude around 2 p.m., followed by awards, music and a beach celebration. The exhilarating event’s beachside attractions for spectators include food and beverages, merchandise, kids’ play areas and plentiful entertainment.
In fact, it’s a good bet that even Harry Potter and his friends would be enthralled by this colorful dragon-filled spectacle.
