Row, row, row your (dragon) boat. Dragon Boat 502 is leading Kentuckiana’s dragon boat paddling community, and all are welcome to join them on the water for this 2,000-year-old sport that’s similar to rowing.
“Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to come and try dragon boats,” said Eryn Kelleher, the nonprofit’s executive director. “It’s one of those things where you just have to be there to experience it and understand how fun it is.”
The sport can be traced back to China as early as the 5th-century A.D., though scholars say the boats were first used hundreds of years earlier. Today in LOU, paddle sessions take place along the Ohio River in 40-foot-long boats that are crafted of fiberglass and carbon, and outfitted with a snarling dragon head.
502 Dragon Boat’s travel team competes in various races around the Commonwealth and will be offering the community a glimpse of the sport at the Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle on Monday, September 4.
The group also welcomes paddlers 12+ to its open introductory sessions and provides all the equipment needed. That includes the boat, paddles, and life vests. “Anybody can do this, [including] people who have never been in a canoe before or people who don’t even like to work out,” Eryn added.
Dip your toes into the dragon waters during the $5 sessions every Saturday. “Most of the people who come out have never done it before — and we love that,” Eryn said.
