Friday, March 18, 2022

The Dragons

Ottawa has had for many years a Dragon Boat Festival in the summers, drawing many visitors and participants to Mooney's Bay on the Rideau River, where the event is held. For Winterlude 2017, the organizers of that event decided to try it on ice. It turned out to be wildly successful, held on Dow's Lake one weekend along the Canal skateway.


Here we have the front of a boat in profile.


Many people came out to see it on what was a mild day. This dog was there too.


I've seen the summer version as well. This looks harder. The dragon boats are placed onto an apparatus with parallel skate blades. The rowers aren't using oars, but sticks to propel themselves along the ice. It's quite something to see in person.


40 comments:

  1. William - what a fabulously creative idea! I will have to look for some videos of this in action!

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  2. This was a new one on me. It looks great to watch but exhausting if you are taking part.

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  3. WOW!
    What a great idea on ice instead of water. But boy that would have been hard work to actually win the race.

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  4. What a fun event. I love the dog too.
    Take care, enjoy your day and happy weekend!

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  5. ...now that must have been a sight to see!

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  6. Wow, this looks like greater fun than in the water to me!

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  7. Love this version of dragon boating! It looks so Canadian.

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  8. I am exhausted just thinking about it!

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  9. @Angie: there are videos out there.

    @Italiafinlandia: it's quite different.

    @fun60: definitely exhausting.

    @Francisco: thank you.

    @Gemel: very hard work.

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  10. @Eileen: that was a good dog.

    @Tom: it certainly was.

    @Iris: I think so.

    @Marie: it does.

    @David: me too.

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  11. What great color here! Fabulous skies, beautiful boats, something really fun to watch. It looks like a wonderful day.

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  12. Great dragon boat a la skates! I bet it was a fun event!

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  13. They look like they are floating on air.

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  14. Must be great to make a ride in such a boat.

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  15. That was a very creative idea that someone came up with.

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  16. What an event that must have been to see and take photos of ~ lovely and so creative ~

    Wishing you love and laughter in your days,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  17. They are always alot of fun, I haven't seen them here for years

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  18. @Jeanie: thanks.

    @Barbara: it was.

    @Magiceye: I agree.

    @RedPat: they do indeed.

    @Jan: the participants seem to enjoy it.

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  19. @Sharon: it was indeed.

    @Carol: I enjoyed it.

    @happyone: indeed.

    @Bill: quite a lot.

    @Anvilcloud: definitely.

    @Amy: the summer one is well established.

    @Maywyn: I think it's wonderful.

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  20. Ese éxito obtenido, hará que sea organizado durante muchos años.,

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  21. Fabulous, it looks a fun day.

    All the best Jan

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  22. Dragon boats must have been an extraordinary sight. Was it repeated?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it's become a regular feature. Apparently it was held this year.

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  23. That really is thrilling William! We do it the traditional way in the surf. Beautiful sunny winter say you have their dear

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  24. Interesting and lovely ice playing.

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  25. I heard about that. I'd done water dragon boating, I wonder if it is the same!

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    Replies
    1. Different muscles, I am sure, but must be fun.

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    2. Looking at how it's done, I think the winter version is more of a workout.

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