PrintSend

Courtesy Posting
This is a courtesy posting only and does not constitute an endorsement by FCC-SoCal. This “SoCal Friends” activity is completely independent of FCC-SoCal. FCC-SoCal is not sponsoring, insuring or providing oversight for this program or event.

Blazing Paddles is an non-competitive dragon boat paddling team. The Dragon Boat cultural event takes place within the larger pan-Asian community. The original members are families that have adopted children from China.  Over the years the Blazing Paddles team has recruited extended family members and friends. The children keep getting older, and as they turn 9 they become active, paddling members of the team. The extended team ranges in age from 3 to 75! They have a mixed coed team and for the third year, a women's team.  One day they hope to have a kids' team!

Blazing Paddles welcome everyone to come and join the fun:  families with children of all ages, waiting families, siblings, friends and extended family. Additionally, they have fun community gatherings such as a post-season party, Chinese New Year Party and a Season Kick Off Potluck. This season they plan to add a Mother-Daughter Zongzi cooking class.

Practice is once a week, June through the end of July, for one hour at Mother's Beach in Long Beach. The culminating event is the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival which takes place on Saturday, August 1st, 2009. If you are unable to join the team, you are still encouraged to come cheer on the Blazing Paddles during the Festival. Additionally, there will be cultural events held throughout the day, and the event is free.

For information about Blazing Paddles practices and other questions contact Marlene Gaines : blueheelermix@yahoo.com

For directions and other details about the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival go to:
http://www.lbdragonboat.com/