Kenmore Tutors

About Kenmore

It’s no wonder that the city of Kenmore, Washington, is famous for its location on Lake Washington — in fact, it’s known for its seaplane-only commercial air facility — as well as being a vacation spot for fishing, boating, and other lakeside activities.

Kenmore’s proximity to the lake is a major factor in an unusual sport that’s becoming popular in Washington state and throughout the West. Dragon boating, which originated in China, is now making inroads in North America, and Kenmore’s dragon boat team is attracting both young people and adults alike.

Dragon boating is the fastest-growing team water sport in the world. More than 50 million people participate in China, more than 300,000 in Europe and the United Kingdom, and some 90,000 in North America.

In Kenmore, anyone age 12 and older may join its dragon boating team, although minors need permission from a parent or guardian. The first three practices are free and after that there is an annual fee to participate. There is also a competitive league in nearby Seattle, the Seattle Flying Dragon Boat Club.

Typically there are 22 crew members on a dragon boat, which includes 20 paddlers in pairs, one drummer or caller who helps keep the paddlers in sync, and a steerer at the rear of the boat.

The crew works together to paddle across the finish line ahead of the competition. Dragon boating is able to accommodate a wide range of skill levels, with more experienced crew members tutoring novices. During competitions, a colorful dragon head is added to the front of the boat and a tail to the end.

Race festivals are held around the world, with one of the largest in North America, the San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival. Competitive paddlers train rigorously to condition themselves in strength, endurance, form, mental focus and timing. Teams with well-conditioned paddlers in near perfect synchronization provide an impressive sight during races, with a cascade of boats bursting through the water.

Dragon boat racing is one of the earliest known forms of boat racing, and goes back more than 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 in the Miluo river to protest government corruption. Local fishermen raced out in their boats to save him, beating drums and pounding their paddles on the river’s water to keep fish and evil spirits away from his body. Later, they scattered rice on the water to feed his spirit.

Dragon boating evolved from the re-enactment of this legend at annual festivals, and this type of racing has become an integral part of Chinese culture, representing patriotism and group identity.

Teamwork and effort are required to make a splash in dragon boat racing, and the same principles apply to academic achievement. Kenmore tutors are standing by to help students at all levels get to the finish line.