Welcome to Life Images by Jill

Welcome to Life Images by Jill.........Stepping into the light and bringing together the images and stories of our world. I am a photographer, writer and multi-media artist.
Focussing mainly on Western Australia and Australia, I am seeking to preserve images and memories of the beautiful world in which we live and the people in it.

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Monday 7 February 2022

Forza Dragon Boat Regatta, Bunbury, Western Australia

 Happy Chinese New Year and welcome to the Year of the Tiger.

I have blogged about Chinese New Year and dragon boat racing before: Chinese New Year 2021 and Chinese New Year 2018

In fact dragon boat racing has been my family's sport since 1990. And our club, the Forza Dragon Boat Club celebrated their 30th anniversary in September 2021

Whereas I don't dragon boat race anymore, my two sons still do. My eldest son is our current club coach. That's him in the first seat in this pic below. 

Last weekend our club hosted their annual regatta on the Leschenault Inlet in Bunbury in Western Australia. But first a little history about dragon boat racing. 

Traditionally celebrated on the 5
th day of the 5th Chinese lunar month, the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival began over 2000 years ago to drive off evil spirits, ask the dragons to watch over their crops and worship the Dragon God.

The festival was later enriched by the legend of Qu (pronounced Chu) Yuan, a legendary scholar, poet and statesman, who was banished from the court when lies were told about him to the Emperor.  Despair caused Qu Yuan to throw himself from a cliff into the Mi Lo River in 278 BC.

Local fisherman raced out in their boats to recover his body, banging their drums and hitting their paddles on the water to scare the evil spirits away. They threw lumps of rice into the water as an offering to Qu Yuan’s spirit, and to prevent the fish from eating his body.

Before racing the eyes are painted onto the dragons to bring them life and give them sight.

Dragon boating is now an international competitive sport for men, women and families. It encourages good sportsmanship, maintains the cultural traditions, and encourages acceptance and respect of all involved.

It is also a great way to get fit, make new friends, improve physical and mental health, enjoy our waterways, and the opportunity to travel and compete at elite levels.

On Saturday two new dragon boats were named after two life members - The Kusin and the Barbera in recognition of their work for the club over many years. Grant and Pina Barbera were the founders of our club. And Mark Kusin has worked tirelessly for our club and association over many years. 

Dotting the eyes of the dragon

On Saturday my husband and I were on-water controllers at the regatta in our power boat, so it was a good opportunity for me to take some pics.


The races on Saturday were all two boat match races. There was some fast and furious competition. The boats sit 20 paddlers, with a drummer on the front, and the sweep (the steerer) at the back. It is a true team sport as timing is paramount for successful racing. 

It is a great sport for families, and men and women of all ages. I have always enjoyed that men and women and families can compete equally in the same boat. There are also many teams around the world for breast cancer survivors, including one in Bunbury, the Crewsaders. 




Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed this little look at dragon boat racing. Do you have a family sport? Perhaps you would like to tell us about it in your comments. 

I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 
I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.

12 comments:

  1. I remember reading your other posts on the dragon racing. Pleased to see that it went ahead this year despite the pandemic. It seems like the whole town is there to enjoy the spectacle.

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  2. Here in Oregon they do Dragon boat racing on the Columbia River.

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  3. What a fun tradition and you've got some great photos here too.

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  4. That must be so amazing to watch!

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  5. Hi Jill - would love to see one of these "in person". I appreciate your photos, though.
    Thank you for asking about my husband. I posted this about a month ago - https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/01/an-update-on-dave.html

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    1. Oh I am so sorry Sue to read your news. I have been in blogging-hibernation for a few weeks and missed your post. I hope you are making your way in your new reality. You did all you could. Take care.

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  6. Ah...looks like such a wonderful warm day. Beautiful pictures. Always fun on the water no matter the reason.

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  7. Looks like fun. Beautiful pictures!

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  8. Gosh this looks like fun!
    Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/02/alter-egos.html

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  9. Awesome post!

    Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!

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  10. How amazing and I love how bright and colorful everything is! What fun to get to be part of this. WOW!

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  11. Jill - a wonderful sport in so many ways. My husband and I were just talking about the Olympics, and how many of the events are timed individually - in other words, you don't see the competitors competing head to head. Not so with dragon boat racing! We do not have a family sport - unless you can count playing cards! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

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I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog. Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. I read and very much appreciate every comment and love hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return.