About Us
The Schuylkill Dragons, founded in 2001, is the oldest continuously active women’s dragon boating team in Philadelphia. The team includes paddlers of all levels ranging from beginners to those experienced in  international competitions. The Schuylkill Dragons is a 501(c)(3) corporation, eligible for tax-deductible contributions and donations.
This team of women, ranging in age from 24 to 73, continues to shatter society’s preconceived notion of aging and to create great role models for women of all ages. The team provides challenging, well-organized, coached work-outs. Some members focus on local, regional, national or international competitions while other are involved to keep fit.
The team employs coaches who work with all levels of paddlers, teaching the basic skills to beginners and refining the skills of experienced paddlers; preparing the team to be competitive at local, national and international  events in premier (ages 18 and over), masters (40 and over) and grand masters (50 and over) divisions.
Our experienced coaches help us become stronger athletes during both the on-water and off-water seasons. The requirement for each team member is a commitment to challenge oneself to work hard as a part of a recreational and competitive team.
Meet the SD Coaching Staff!
Aimee Rodriguez, Co-Coach
I have been coaching sports since 1990. I have coached high school and college runners, elite adult cyclists, and weekend warrior adults. My goals have always been to create well-rounded athletes. I believe that a person needs to train in all areas of fitness, regardless of sport. So, my goal for all SDs is to up everyone's cardiovascular. muscular, AND flexibility fitness.
To me, a coach is like any other teacher or mentor. The coach should impart a bigger wisdom than just the specific sport. So I hope that I am able to push everyone to expand her horizons, to push out of old comfort zones, and to learn that focus and discipline are not bad words.
The gospel according to Aimee....... Amen :)
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Joann Fegley, Co-Coach
We have fun on and off the water, but when it's time to be serious and
focus on a challenging practice or winning the race, I know I am going
to put fourth the best that I can do and I have confidence that the
rest of my team will do the same. My goals for the team are that we
come together and grow together. Grow in our personal abilities
getting stronger and faster, and also share this really awesome sport
with other women.
Dragonboating for me is so much more than a race or a practice. I learned that if I work hard enough I can accomplish things that I
never dreamed of. I met a great group of women. We support each other and that teamwork and support has grown to
be a part of all aspects of my life.
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About Dragonboating
Dragon boat racing is one of the earliest known forms of boat racing and is celebrated at festivals and races throughout the world. This mythical  celebration is a symbol of Chinese culture and spirit and is one of the three largest festivals in China. The roots of dragon boat racing go back over 2,000 years to the southern provinces of China. Legend has it that Qu Yuan, a scholar and advisor to the emperor of the Chu Kingdom, jumped into the Mei Lo (Mi Luo) River in despair and protest against government corruption. Local fishermen raced out in their boats to save him. They beat drums and pounded their paddles on the river's waters and threw rice dumplings wrapped in silk into the river to distract the water dragons and keep them from eating from Qu Yuan's body. Dragon boating evolved from the re-enactment of this legend at annual festivals.
Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese Calendar, dragon boat racing is not only one of the most important Chinese traditions second to Chinese New Year, but now is an annual event held in over 40 countries. |
Boats and Races
A dragon boat is a large, canoe-like craft made from wood and fiberglass that is colorfully painted and decorated with a dragon's head on the front and a tail on the back. Size varies, but boats hold between 16 and 24 paddlers with an average of 20 paddlers. Paddlers are seated two per row and paddle continously on the same side for the duration of the race. A drummer and steersperson accompany the paddlers to motivate the crew and keep the boat on track. The average race course is 500 meters and can include between 4 and 10 boats.
Impressive Sight
It is easy to see why dragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It is truly an impressive sight to see an elaborately adorned dragon boat surging towards the finish line with its engine of 20 paddlers pulling hard with every stroke in perfect unison to the drummer's beat and the calls of the steersperson. Combine the competition and excitement of the races with the fun and atmosphere of the cultural festivities that typically occur at a dragon boat festival, and you have a great event for participants and spectators of all ages.
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Celebrating our
10th year of paddling!
Thank you for your support.
For questions or to make a donation, click here
SDs Celebrate the Royal Wedding!
In honor of the royal wedding of Kate Middleton, a fellow dragonboater, 30 women from the Schuylkill Dragons paddled on the river in fancy evening wear.
Wearing extravagant gowns, tiaras, fur, feather boas, and jewels, team members drank champagne and toasted Kate and William, and "strong women everywhere."
Click here for the news video.
On-Line Shopping
to Benefit the SDs
The Schuylkill Dragons have teamed up an online shopping mall that donates a percentage of online sales back to us. You can help by linking to and purchasing from any of the hundreds of national online merchants shown on our page on the YellowBrickMall.com site, click here.
Schuylkill Dragons ARE one FORCE to be reckoned with! GRRRRRRR! Read more about our infamous 2000m Princeton Race: A Tale of Adventure, Mystery and Intrigue
We have a new boat!
Bertha was the SDs first boat, circa 2001.
To read about her send-off
on Sunday, August 29th,
click here.
SD Boat Rentals
Our boats are available for team practice/team building and special occasion rentals on an hourly basis.
If you are
interested please contact us via email!
Team Calendar:
Hey Girl!
Our team is a place for strong women from every walk of life. We welcome diva-warriors of any experience level—novice to world class athletes. Aged 20-something to 70-something, we support each other on and off the water. We have fun; we work hard and we truly have some amazing times together!
If you are interested, please contact our membership committee.
Read more about our races…
Heading up the Gear Committee, Judy arranges the items of "Skookster Gear" up for sale at the kick-off meeting for the 2010 season. As always, a team that shops together, wins together!
Click Here for SD Gear
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