Chicagoland Dragon Boat Kick-Off Dinner - Illinois

Join us for the Team Blue Kick-Off dinner at Sully's House! We will go over the season schedule, races, team expectations and a chance to meet with the coaches from the Greater Chicago Dragon Boat Club.

** Please RSVP by May 9th**

Adaptive Adventures Veteran Dragon Boat team is expanding in to fill a team in Illinois for the sixth year!  If you are interested in being part of the fastest growing watersport, enjoy being part of a team, are willing to commit to training and competing this may be the sport for you.  Our team will consist of, veterans, civilians with adaptive needs, their families, and volunteers.

We will be practicing on Friday evenings in Chicago and will continue running training sessions each Friday beginning on May 18th through July 27th as we train for local competitions.  In the 2013 Chicago International Dragonboat Festival our first ever Wounded Warrior Project and Adaptive Adventures team won over the hearts and a podium position of the festival. No water or paddling experience is necessary, but a commitment to your team, training, fun, and adventure is. We invite you to join the 2018 Dragon Boat family. 

PLEASE NOTE: We start practice on time and expect members to arrive promptly, ready to get on water at 6:00pm!

By starting promptly we are respecting your time, our coaches time, and the Greater Chicago Dragon Boat Club's time. 

What is Dragon Boat Racing?

Dragon Boating, a sport founded in China over 2000 years ago, started as an international sport in 1976 in Hong Kong and has a worldwide participation of over 50 million competitors.  Dragon boats are fast and powerful recognized for the camaraderie, strength and endurance fostered amongst the team. 

The crew for the Hong Kong class dragon boat is typically 22, made up from 20 paddlers in pairs facing toward the bow (front) of the boat, 1 'drummer or caller' at the bow facing toward the paddlers creates the heartbeat and rhythm of the boat, and 1 sweep (steerer) standing at the rear of the boat controlling its track.

Benefits of Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon Boat racing is a fun team-building activity and participating in a dragon boat event can benefit.

- Dragon Boating creates an inclusive environment.
- People of all ages and fitness levels can participate.
- The nature of the sport emphasizes unity and working together.
- Driving towards the finish line produces energy, enthusiasm and motivation.
- Paddlers communicate by cheering each other on.
- The sport encourages leaders to move to the forefront.
- Twenty paddlers in one boat = increased camaraderie. 

Dragon boat races feature an exhilarating combination of premier sport competition in concert with an entertainment showcase for corporations, community organizations, and families.  This is your opportunity to be at the forefront of representing warriors and disabled veterans and their supporters.

How will you train?

We will meet weekly for 11 consecutive weeks starting with our 'kick-off' training on Friday, May 18th. We will progress into how to paddle efficiently and effectively with your new unit, into phases of endurance and taking this new fitness and family into your at-home life. Together, we will learn how to improve our fitness, canoe stroke, power, and ability to feel the hull of that dragon boat move with speed and stealth.  

What to bring:

• Drink bottle
• Towel
• Raingear
• Change of clothes (just in case)

Questions? Please contact Greg Zbrzezny at:

Telephone: (847) 533-2060

E-Mail: Greg@Adaptiveadventures.org