2022 DRUMS ON THE DAM
Join us Saturday, August 6th, as the United Way of Sevier County celebrates the 6th Annual Drums on the Dam Dragon Boat Festival at Douglas Lake Headwater Campground in Sevierville, TN.
Crews of 20 rowers, a drummer and professional steerer race in authentic 46-foot Hong Kong-style boats in three heats during this high energy, adrenaline pumping event. Competitors rave about the excitement, family-friendly competition and community spirit surrounding the sport. All skill levels and physiques learn to perfect their stroke and timing for the ultimate experience in teamwork! Dragon boat racing serves as a great team building experience for companies, youth groups and teachers, as well as individuals.
Forming a team is easy and we can't wait to have you join us this year. Mark your calendar!
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, August 6 at the Douglas Lake Headwater Campground in Sevierville, Tennessee
Drums on the Dam Dragon Boat Festival will include many local businesses, community organizations, out-of-town teams and teams of friends and family looking to take home the coveted trophy!
Among the competition and festivities will be an opening ceremony, race heats, the drummer's parade, live music at lunch and the closing ceremony which includes the awards presentation.
WE WANT YOU!
Do you know?
More than 50 million people competed in a Dragon Boat Race in the last year. Don't miss out on one of the fastest growing team sports.
ORIGIN
Dragon Boat racing
celebrates the life of
the Chinese poet
Qu Yuan who drowned
in the Miluo River.
The villagers tried to
recover his body by
paddling out on boats.
TEAMWORK
Teams will
typically paddle
at a rate of
60 to 85 strokes
per minute.
Each race
covers a distance
of 200 yards.
THE BOAT
The typical
length of a Dragon
Boat is 46 feet.
Each team has
20 paddlers,
a drummer and
steerperson.
THE SPORT
The International
Dragon Boat
Federation
governs the sport,
which has clubs
in more than
60 countries.
LOOKING BACK
Thank you for making the Fifth Annual United Way Dragon Boat race a success
On Saturday, August 7, 2021, participants from 14 teams paddled in sync on the French Broad River in Sevierville. There were smiles, competitive trash talking, drummer's parade, steerer's auction and determination as the day continued. Reservoir Dogs knocked off the four-time champions from Ole Smoky Distillery to claim their first trophy at the awards ceremony following the final race. Their final race time was 01:11.291. It was a day of hard paddling with two of the traveling teams Charlotte Fury and Tenneesse Heat giving them a run for their money. Reservoir Dogs just edged out Charlotte Fury, who finished second with a time of 01:12.622; and Ole Smoky Distillery (01:14.560), who claimed the bronze. The Kentucky Thorough-Breasts won the 2021 Spirit Award and the McNabb Life Savers cheered their repeat win of the Anchor Award as the event's slowest boat!
Photos by RBA Marketing & Media
