North America’s fastest growing athletic event is returning to South Jersey on July 28.

The third annual Cooper River Dragon Boat Festival will feature 200 meter races along Cooper River from 8:30 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. for novice or intermediate community teams (mixed and women’s), and competitive sport teams (mixed & women’s) 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 so excited to host this popular event. 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, one of the founding members of the River Sirens, a South Jersey women’s dragon boat  team that organizes the event.

While Cooper River has played host to numerous rowing competitions, this event offers South Jersey’s premier dragon boat competition. The water venue is ideal for dragon boating, drawing praise from athletes and international experts for its sheltered and mild current race course.

Expect a day of friendly competition, produced by one of North America’s best dragon boat organizers, 22 Dragons: www.22dragons.com. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Operation Enduring Warrior: http://enduringwarrior.org/

For more information about registering a team or serving as a sponsor, please visit: www.cooperriverdragonboatfestival.org