(INDIANAPOLIS) – The White River Alliance, the premier organization for regional water resource protection in Indiana, and Indy SurviveOars, Indiana’s only breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, are teaming up to host the second annual White River Dragon Boat Races on Saturday, Sept. 28 at White River State Park.
“We’re extremely excited to host the Dragon Boat Races on the White River again,” said Jill Hoffmann, White River Alliance executive director. “The White River is an important resource for Indianapolis, and we want to raise awareness of the ongoing efforts to improve its quality and reimagine its potential. An engaging event like this allows our community to interact directly with the river in such a fun, spirited way that inevitably everyone involved will be inspired to protect it.”
A community-wide competition, the Dragon Boat Races will feature live racing with 46-foot long dragon boats. Dragon boat racing originated over 2,000 years ago in China, and its popularity has been growing in the West since the 1970s. The sport emphasizes teamwork, as it takes a team of 22 people to power the massive vessel. Paddling has also become popular for women recovering from breast cancer, with survivor teams all around the world.
“We are proud to be co-sponsoring this event with the White River Alliance,” said Elaine Shea, Indy SurviveOars president. “We love using a unique event like dragon boat racing to spread our mission of hope, inspiration, and camaraderie to breast cancer survivors, all while promoting health and physical activity.”
The event concludes the White River Festival, a series of events hosted by many partner organizations, coordinated by the White River Alliance, and supported by the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. More than 20 teams, representing corporations, cities, and groups of friends, are already registered for the races. The event schedule includes interactive opening ceremonies, several rounds of sprint races, an awards ceremony, and a celebratory concert with Indy Convergence. Awards will be given to first, second, and third place racing teams as well as recognition of outstanding team spirit, individual fundraising accolades, and river stewardship efforts. More information available at www.WhiteRiverDragonBoats.org.
2019 Dragon Boat Race Event Information
WHAT: White River Dragon Boat Races & Festival
WHEN: Saturday,Sept. 28 with opening ceremonies starting at 8:00 a.m. and races starting at 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: White River State Park,801 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 (near the New York Street bridge)
About the White River Alliance
The White River Alliance exists to improve and protect water resources in central Indiana. The Alliance is made up of diverse interests and organizations that work together to steward the river and its sixteen county watershed. The collective programming of the Alliance works to raise broad awareness of water issues, provide training and resources to varied audiences, and advance regional water planning efforts. In addition to the Dragon Boat Races, the Alliance’s programs include the Indiana Water Summit, the national Clear Choices Clean Water program, which encourages residents to take individual action to improve water quality and increase water conservation, and several other local and regional public engagement and professional training programs. For more information, visit www.thewhiteriveralliance.org.
About Indy SurviveOars
Indy SurviveOars is an organization that brings breast cancer survivors together through the sport of dragon boat racing. The group offers hope, inspiration and camaraderie to breast cancer survivors focusing on health and physical activity. Studies confirm that activity associated with the rigorous, upper body exercise of the sport can reduce breast cancer risk and improve overall survivability as well as quality of life. Indy SurviveOars is a non-profit organization led by volunteers and is one of 53 breast cancer survivor teams in the US that provides ongoing support for those coping with a diagnosis of breast cancer. For more information, visit www.indysurviveoars.org.
