Join the Emerson Dragon Boat Team

Looking for an opportunity to spend time with other Emerson staff and faculty? Interested in sunset paddling on the Charles? Join the Emerson College Lions Dragon Boat Team!

This will be the eighth year that Emerson has participated in the annual Boston Dragon Boat Festival, which is the largest Asian American cultural event in New England and draws more than 20,000 participants and spectators each year. The festival that occurs around the races is great—lots of food, performances, and other fun stuff.

Paddlers don’t need to be particularly strong or athletic (though, of course, they may be!) It’s working together that produces the synchronization resulting in speed. Paddlers do need to know how to swim. No rowing or paddling experience is necessary; you’ll learn everything you need to know at practices. Team members commit to three out of six scheduled practices, which are held at the MIT Pierce Boathouse, starting in mid-May. Emerson’s practices are scheduled for 6:00–7:00 pm on select Tuesdays and Thursdays, but if you can’t make those times, you can fulfill your three practices with other teams.

Team members pay $10 toward the cost of the team’s registration and it also gets you a fabulous T-shirt, coaching, and lots of fun!

This year’s festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, June 10 and 11. Please note that the time trials on Saturday will not conflict with the timing of the Pride parade later in the day.

If you’re interested in joining this year’s team, please email Maureen Tripp with any questions you might have. Hope you will decide to unleash your inner dragon/lion on the Charles this spring!