| Anta's "American Dragons" Dragon Boat Team
The 2000 year old sport of Dragon Boat racing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Dragon Boats are slim, canoe-like racers, each with a brilliantly-colored, hand-painted and hand-carved dragon's head at the prow and a flashy tail at the stern. Each boat holds up to 20 rowers sitting two abreast, with a steersperson at the back and a drummer in the front whose beat sets the pace for the crew. Anta's Hung Gar American Dragon's Dragon Boat Team is coached by Johnson Ng of the United Chinese Assosiation of Florida (UCAF). The team captain is Hung Gar Kung Fu Master Julio Anta.
Legend
The tradition of dragon boat racing comes from the legend of the tragic suicide of the Chinese poet, Qu Yuan (340-278 B.C.). When Qu who was a polititian learned that his homeland had been occupied by enemies (Chin army) he then drowned himself in the Milo River. The villagers rushed to the river and in their riverboats. To prevent fishes from eating his body, they paddled boats with clamorous drumbeats, and threw rice dumplings wrapped with leaves into the river and beat the water withtheir paddles to drive us those spirits that would prevent his soul from making to the afterlife. Today we remember and celebrate this legend with Dragon Boat competitions.
Our Beginnings
After only one practice a group of students from Anta's Fitness and Self Defense were convicnced by their friend and now coach Johnson Ng to participate in a Dragon Boat Marathon. On Saturday, August 5, 2006, Anta's Hung Gar Kung Fu Dragon Boat Race Team of Doral and the United Chinese Association of South Florida's Golden Dragons participated in the Florida Dragon Boat Marathon Challenge. Students from Anta's Fitness and Self Defense ages 12 to 51 paddled the Dragon Boat 38 kilometers. They traveled down the Intercostal Waterways from Haulover Park via North Miami, North Bay Village to relay point at Flagler Memorial on Monument Island. At the Flagler Memorial they cooled off at the beach and continued their journey back. On the way back they encounter some problems getting stuck on a sea weed, sand bar. After half an hour we were able to successfully push the Dragon Boat out and continue with the marathon. We returned via Miami Beach, North Bay Village, Surf Side, Bal Harbor back to Haulover Beach. After we arrived there was a picnic and an award ceremony.
Our First Competition
After this we were hooked and decided to compete in the largest Dragon Boat Festival in South Florida, the UCAF South Florida Dragon Boat Festival http://www.miamidragonboat.com/ on October 14 and 15. The UCAF was responsible for bringing the sport of Dragon Boat to Miami-Dade County in 2003. In our first competition we were the runner-up in the 250-meter Kung Fu Cup and we narrowly missed 3rd place in the 500 Meters Men's Open division. We are always searching for new members. If you are interested in paddling with us you can call us at 305 599-3649 or e-mail us at fitdef@aol.com.
Click the images of Mr.
Anta's Dragon Boat World
Indian Club training article to enlarge them:
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Johnson Ng Coach and Julio Anta Team Captain |
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Anta's American Dragons 2006 Runner Ups
in the Kung Fu Cup.
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2006 Florida Dragon Boat Marathon |
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