 About Us
The Schuylkill Dragons, founded in 2001, is the oldest continuously active women’s dragon boating team in Philadelphia. The team includes paddlers of all levels ranging from beginners to those experienced in international competitions. The Schuylkill Dragons is a 501(c)(3) corporation, eligible for tax-deductible contributions and donations.
This team of women, ranging in age from 24 to 73, continues to shatter society’s preconceived notion of aging and to create great role models for women of all ages. The team provides challenging, well-organized, coached work-outs. Some members focus on local, regional, national or international competitions while other are involved to keep fit.
The team employs coaches who work with all levels  of paddlers,teaching the basic skills to beginners and refining the skills of experienced paddlers; preparing the team to be competitive at local, national and internationalevents in premier (ages 18 and over), masters (40 and over) and grand masters (50 and over) divisions.
Our experienced coaches help us become stronger athletes during both the on-water and off-water seasons. The requirement for each team member is a commitment to challenge oneself to work hard as a part of a recreational and competitive team.
Meet the SD Coaching Staff!
Aimee Rodriguez, Co-Coach
I have been coaching sports since 1990. I have coached high school and college runners, elite adult cyclists, and weekend warrior adults. My goals have always been to create well-rounded athletes. I believe that a person needs to train in all areas of fitness, regardless of sport. So, my goal for all SDs is to up everyone's cardiovascular. muscular, AND flexibility fitness.
To me, a coach is like any other teacher or mentor. The coach should impart a bigger wisdom than just the specific sport. So I hope that I am able to push everyone to expand her horizons, to push out of old comfort zones, and to learn that focus and discipline are not bad words.
The gospel according to Aimee....... Amen :)
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Joann Fegley, Co-Coach
I love paddling, but my passion is coaching. I get as big of a rush from seeing those "aha moments" from the crews I'm coaching as I do from crossing the finish line in my own race. I'm a "work hard, play hard" kind of person, so my expectation is that when we are in the boat we are focused and working hard; I put forth my best, and I want my crew to do the same so that we all have confidence in each other. But it's important to enjoy the sport too, so the camaraderie off the water is also a great time.
My goals for the team are to come together as a crew, grow together as athletes, and learn together by sharing this awesome sport. Dragon boating for me is so much more than a race or a practice. I've learned that if I work hard enough, I can accomplish things I never dreamed of. In fact, I've had the opportunity to race internationally with my club and with Team USA. Teamwork and fitness has grown to be a part of all aspects of my life. In addition to coaching the Schuylkill Dragons, I coach corporate dragon boat teams, coach outrigger (OC-6) teams, and work as a personal trainer. |
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About Dragonboating
Dragon boat racing is one of the earliest known forms of boat racing and is celebrated at festivals and races throughout the world. This mythical  celebration is a symbol of Chinese culture and spirit and is one of the three largest festivals in China. The roots of dragon boat racing go back over 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 into the Mei Lo (Mi Luo) River in despair and protest against government corruption. Local fishermen raced out in their boats to save him. They beat drums and pounded their paddles on the river's waters and threw rice dumplings wrapped in silk into the river to distract the water dragons and keep them from eating from Qu Yuan's body. Dragon boating evolved from the re-enactment of this legend at annual festivals.
Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese Calendar, dragon boat racing is not only one of the most important Chinese traditions second to Chinese New Year, but now is an annual event held in over 40 countries. |
Boats and Races
A dragon boat is a large, canoe-like craft made from wood and fiberglass that is colorfully painted and decorated with a dragon's head on the front and a tail on the back. Size varies, but boats hold between 16 and 24 paddlers with an average of 20 paddlers.  Paddlers are seated two per row and paddle continously on the same side for the duration of the race. A drummer and steersperson accompany the paddlers to motivate the crew and keep the boat on track. The average race course is 500 meters and can include between 4 and 10 boats.
Impressive Sight
It is easy to see why dragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It is truly an impressive sight to see an elaborately adorned dragon boat surging towards the finish line with its engine of 20 paddlers pulling hard with every stroke in perfect unison to the drummer's beat and the calls of the steersperson. Combine the competition and excitement of the races with the fun and atmosphere of the cultural festivities that typically occur at a dragon boat festival, and you have a great event for participants and spectators of all ages.
Make a tax deductable donation to support the Schuylkill Dragons! Private donations in any denomination are welcome. Thank you for your support.
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OPEN PADDLE FOR NEW RECRUITS!
Sunday, April 28 from 8-9am in the paddle pool at Main Line Health & Fitness. All ages (18+) are welcome to come check out the awesome sport of dragon boating and learn the basics of paddling. WARNING! you may really like it! Contact us for more info, click here.
Thank you so much for supporting the Schuylkill Dragons!
Private donations in any denomination are welcome. You can make a tax deductable donation anytime! Click here to support the Schuylkill Dragons! Thank you for your support.
Thank You
Crossfit 215!
The Schuylkill Dragons have partnered with Crossfit 215 to stay competitive during the winter months. Crossfit is a strength and endurance conditioning program that promotes functional exercises which create better core strength, stamina, coordination, agility, and balance. All of these things will help the Schuylkill Dragons excel in the 2012 race season. For more about our winter training, click here.
Team Calendar:
Hey Girl!
Our team is a place for strong women from every walk of life. We welcome diva-warriors of any experience level—novice to world class athletes. Aged 20-something to 70-something, we support each other on and off the water. We have fun; we work hard and we truly have some amazing times together!
If you are interested, please contact our membership committee.
On-Line Shopping
to Benefit the SDs
The Schuylkill Dragons have teamed up an online shopping mall that donates a percentage of online sales back to us. You can help by linking to and purchasing from any of the hundreds of national online merchants shown on our page on the YellowBrickMall.com site, click here.
Schuylkill Dragons ARE one FORCE to be reckoned with! GRRRRRRR! Read more about our infamous 2000m Princeton Race: A Tale of Adventure, Mystery and Intrigue
SD Boat Rentals
Our boats are available for team practice/team building and special occasion rentals on an hourly basis.
If you are
interested please contact us via email!
Read more about our races…
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