| Join the World Beat Dragon
Boat Paddling Club
 This
exciting sport, now one of the fastest growing in the
U.S., has attracted visiting teams from throughout the
Northwest to Salem for the World Beat Race. The number
of participating teams has grown to our current maximum
of 30. Salem teams caught the spirit of friendly competition
that draws so many to the sport early on, but previously
there was a lack of opportunities for local practices.
With the new World Beat Dragon Boat Club, local teams
and paddlers can sign up to practice in advance of the
race and (if there is enough interest) throughout the
summer.
To make these practices possible, World
Beat Festival® organizers purchased Salem's
first dragon boat from Dragon Sports USA in the fall
of 2006 and refurbished it in the spring. This is the
original dragon boat that was used to train many of
the experienced teams that race in the Portland Rose
Festival races and at other races throughout the region.
The Salem practice boat named "Melas" (which
is Salem spelled backwards) now sports a newly carved
head and painted scales and comes fully dressed for
photo opportunities at the festival. Like the original
dragon boats used for centuries in China, the World
Beat dragon boat is solid teak and equipped for 20 paddlers,
a tiller and a caller with a drum.
You do not need to be a member of an existing team
to join. Individuals are welcome, just register with
the club and we’ll assign you to a team based
on your availability and team need. Individual membership
in the club is $25 per year. Some short season membership
discounts may apply.
The boat rents to teams for $22 per hour if scheduled
a week before, otherwise it’s $44 per hour. To
find out more or sign up for the club and practices,
use the forms on this page or call our office at (503)
581-2004.
Volunteer for the Club
The World Beat Festival Dragon Boat Club Steering
Team is always looking for volunteers who can help coordinate
the many aspects of practices, club promotion and development.
You don’t need to be a dragon boater to serve
on the steering team.
To join the steering team call: (503) 581-2004 or email
info@salemmulticultural.org
Individuals wanting to register for the club, please fill out the last three pages of the Individual Registration Packet and return it to your captain along with your membership fee. If you have no team, return the forms to the Salem Multicultural office along with your membership fee and you will be connected with a team in need of paddlers.
Captains or team managers please register your team using the Team Registration Packet and register yourself with the individual packet. The team registration packet is needed before you can schedule practices. All practices must be scheduled a week a head of time and boat rental fees must be submitted at that time. Thank you for your interest in the 2010 World Beat Festival Dragon Boat Club.
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