2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival Returns To Marina Del Rey

MARINA DEL REY, CA — The second annual dragon boat festival is returning to the waters of Marina del Rey on Saturday, where more than 40 teams will compete in races and attendees can enjoy festivities.

Starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, teams with members ranging from 10-years-old to 70-years-old will paddle ornate and detailed 40 foot boats in the ocean waters in order to win races taking place throughout the day. Many of the large teams are multi-generational families paddling and competing together.

"We are thrilled to return to Marina del Rey, a beautiful setting for the fast-growing sport of dragon boat racing. Our teams come from all over the country and we invite everyone to enjoy a sport that promotes cultural diversity and wellness. Dragon boat races bring people together in a fun and exciting atmosphere," said Nathan Salazar, Head Coach of the Los Angeles County Dragon Boat Club and Dragon Boat Festival organizer.

Dragon boat racing originated from Chine more than 2,000 years ago and includes teams of 20 paddlers seated in pairs and a drummer at the front of the boat keeping the stroke pace for paddlers. The boats are decorated with a dragon head at the bow, scales on the sides and a tail at the back.

This year, some noteworthy teams will be competing in the races including Adaptive Fusion, a group of blind and deaf paddlers, and the Los Angeles Pink Dragons, the first dragon boat team of breast cancer survivors in L.A.

Along with the races, attendees of the festival can look forward to food trucks, arts and crafts and live music entertainment. Additionally, guests can look forward to a welcome ceremony at the start of the day and an awards ceremony after races conclude.

The festival will take place at Burton Chase Park at 13650 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey and the day's schedule features:

• races staring at 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
• the opening ceremony at 9 a.m.
• the awards ceremony at 3:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the Dragon Boat Festival's website.