Team up to paddle in RiverFest's Dragon Boat Races

Despite being an outdoor enthusiast, Paul Wasylyszyn of Cortland, is not one to paddle his own canoe - not all the time, anyway. Instead, he gathers 19 of his friends and joins in the fun and camaraderie of dragon boat racing.

He has been doing it for years as a participant in Pride of the Fox RiverFest's annual Dragon Boat Races, scheduled for the 18th consecutive year at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14. And this year, not only will he gather 19 friends, but as RiverFest's new Dragon Boat coordinator, he hopes to enlist 600 into 30 teams of 20.

"The racing experience generates feelings of camaraderie and promotes sportsmanship, qualities which help people work better together," Wasylyszyn said, "besides, it's great fun."

Deadline for submitting applications and fees is Friday, May 29. More details are available at www.PrideoftheFox.com or by contacting Wasylyszyn at (630) 200-4442 or pwasylyszyn@msn.com. The races are sanctioned by the American Dragon Boat Association.

Teams can be made up from company employees, service clubs, fitness centers and bars, churches and neighborhoods - or just good friends, he explained.

No paddling experience is necessary and participants usually plan to spend the entire day picnicking in the park and are treated to a water ski show midday between races.

Participating in the Dragon Boat Races offers many benefits to area companies, including team building and the opportunity to double as the company outing - employees' families cheer on their teams and lunch is available from the local vendors or teams can bring a grill and have a picnic.

A team is made up of 20 members and costs $425 for a day of racing. Included are paddles, life jackets, boats, an experienced steersman, coaching, practice sessions the week before the races and the Paddlers' Party.

The international sport of dragon boat racing is more than 2,000 years old. The basic idea is that 20-member teams paddle 40-foot-long, dramatically decorated dragon boats, racing two at a time along a 328-yard course in double-elimination heats. Most teams can cross the finish line in under two minutes. There are 18 paddlers, a drummer and a flag catcher aboard each boat. The drummer beats time to synchronize rowing; the flag catcher reaches over the prow to snatch a flag from a buoy to signal crossing the finishing line.

Pride of the Fox RiverFest is St. Charles' hometown festival, which kicks off summer with events and activities at six sites along the banks of the Fox River from Pottawatomie Park, through downtown to Lincoln Park. Signature events in addition to the Dragon Boat Races include water ski shows and a fanciful 40-ton sand sculpture on "St. Charles Beach." All events are free and open to the public.

In addition to presenting two entertainment stages (Riverside Stage for bands, barbecue, beer and the Gazebo Stage in Lincoln Park), there also are crafters in a riverside woodland setting, a juried fine arts show, CanineCapers entertainment, two car shows and a carnival. Free activities especially for children include a Do-It-Yourself Picasso art activity, Tae Kwon Do Experience and Children's Theater Tent featuring five shows each day. Fun but not free children's favorites include pony rides, petty zoo, climbing wall, inflatables and kiddie carnival rides. For information, visit www.PrideoftheFox.com.