Dragon boat world championships
Ravenna will host the races but Cervia and Milano Marittima are preparing to welcome many of the crews from all over the world who will arrive here in the first week of September 2024 to put their oarsmanship to the test.
The dragon boats are big canoes crewed by 20 people, with a long keel and a bow and stern which resemble the head and tail of a dragon. The tradition of dragon boat racing is tied to a peculiar legend. In the year 227 AD, the Chinese poet Qu Yuan is said to have thrown himself into the river in protest against the oppression of his people by the government. In response, fishermen rushed to rescue him from drowning.
Since then, to mark the festival of Duanwo, or the dragon boat festival which is held in China on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, this event is commemorated with races between dragon-shaped boats. Dragon boat racing has grown into an international sport.
Ravenna is ready to host the upcoming world championships and Cervia will play its part. The competition will be held in Standiana, one of the best equipped rowing facilities in Europe. We look forward to seeing you there!
