The Raging Dragons of Chatham-Kent will represent the municipality at the upcoming Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival.
In celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary, Ottawa will be hosting the first Ice Dragon Boat event in North America.
Recruiting and Fundraising Coordinator Charlene King says The Raging Dragons are one of 60 teams registered to race on the Rideau Canal.
"We're really excited with this being the first time ever in North America, in our nation's capital," says King. "And we get to go! It sold out [registration] in eight minutes."
With the competition coming up on February 17 and 18, King says the team has been practicing at the community pool in Petrolia.
"Water and ice are two different things, however, we still need the endurance and the strength [training]," she says.
Dragon Boat racing does serve as quite the workout, exercising the upper body, core, and legs.
"The one thing about this sport is you don't have to be a weight-lifter," says King. "I'm 125 lbs. and I can pull just as much water as anyone else in the boat."
The team consists of about 27 members (both men and women). However, only 14 will be competing in Ottawa.
The Raging Dragons have been competing for the past 20 years, but Kings says few people in Chatham-Kent actually know about the group.
King adds the team is looking to expand in time for their summer competitions. For more information on joining the Raging Dragons of Chatham-Kent visit their Facebook page by clicking here.
(Video courtesy of Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival via YouTube.)
