North America’s fastest growing athletic competition is coming to Pennsauken this Saturday, July 18, 2015.

The first annual Cooper River Dragon Boat Festival will feature 200 meter races along Cooper River from 9:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. for novice or intermediate community teams, as well as for competitive sport teams seeking Eastern Regional Dragon Boat Association points.

Dragon boats are the largest flat-water racing canoes in the world. A crew of 20 paddlers paced by a drummer at the bow and guided by a steersperson at the stern combine power and rhythm to achieve maximum acceleration and speed over a 200-meter, 500-meter or 2,000-meter course.

Dragon boating is unique in that total novices can compete with very little training or instruction. A perfectly synchronized team is not only visually spectacular but almost always defeats a stronger but less coordinated competitor.

“We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to South Jersey. I can think of no other competition that brings together such a wide range of participants – from weekend warriors to regional and national champions,” said Wendy Schwartz, co-captain of the River Sirens, a South Jersey women’s dragon boat team, and co-organizer of the event with the River Sisters, a women’s cancer survivor team.

While Cooper River has played host to numerous rowing competitions, this event will offer South Jersey’s first dragon boat competition. The water venue is ideal for dragon boating, drawing praise from athletes and international experts for its sheltered, mild current, race course. At the heart of the venue is the Camden County Boathouse, a spectacular facility with all the finest amenities, located within Cooper River Park.

For more information, visit their web site by clicking here.