Dragon Boat Racing

May 11, 2009

Kathy at Dragon Boat Festival

Betsy, Kathleen, Sharelle, Tiffany, Jodie, Hillary, Deb, Alison, Tami & Walt

Dragon Boat Racing

Donald & Sharelle

While I was up in Indianapolis attending Indy 500 qualifying, Kathy was back in the Keys doing a totally different type of racing altogether as she joined a team to participate in the “Battle in the Bay” Dragon Boat festival held in Marathon. She also managed to find time to head out to an end of the school year get-together for the board and staff of the Key West Preschool Co-op where she teaches.





The inaugural Battle in the Bay Dragon Boat Festival brought together Dragon Boat teams from as far away as Miami to compete. There were over 300 participants representing 16 teams. Dragon Boats, for those unfamiliar, are long narrow canoe style boats that are powered by 18 paddlers with an additional helmsman at the rear and a drummer in the front who helps keep time for the paddlers.





Kathy was a member of the Squally HeronCane team that was one of three teams that raised money for the Heron Peacock Supported Living Center. Many charities benefited from the event including Heron Peacock (which received over $6,000 in donations), Reef Relief, Home School High School and the Florida Keys Children’s shelter.

The final results



The races were held off of Sombrero Beach in Marathon in a day-long series of races in different divisions. Kathy’s team did an amazing job considering they mostly had never met and had limited (if any) practice time. They managed to win every heat race and make it to the final of their group B class, losing in the final race to The Conch Republic Navy team by a mere 7/1000th of a second. It was a great day and Kathy had a wonderful time, she is already talking about next year.



Deb & Rob

Jasmine & Tiffany

Kathy also went out with the crew from the KW Preschool on a fantastic sunset sail aboard Danger Charters and then headed out on the town for a late night of dancing and partying. It was a celebration for one of the staff, Miss Sharelle, who will be leaving at the end of the school year. It also provided the staff and board members to kick back and celebrate the conclusion of another successful year at the school, which technically doesn’t end till next month- but it’s never too early to celebrate.

Hilary, Kathleen & Betsy

Rob, Walt, Tiffany & Scott

Kathleen & Charles

Battle in the Bay Website