SARASOTA – The Sarasota International Dragon Boat Festival returned to Nathan Benderson Park for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
“We’ve got teams from Chicago, and New York and actually all across the country that are here today,” said Head paddling coach for NBP, Angela Long.
Fans, participants, and spectators were all on deck for the Dragon Boat races at Nathan Benderson Park
“Things are starting to feel normal again, we’re back in full boats, the energy is great, and everyone is just so excited to be back out on the water,” said Long.
While the festival welcomes both competitive and recreational teams
“You look around, people from other teams, you recognize them, it’s one big dragon family,” said NBP paddler, Audrey Bilotti.
Between the races, the festival held a flower ceremony, in honor of the many breast cancer survivors who participated for the Survivors in Sync team
“It helps us remember, yes were having fun, were competing, we all love to compete, but yes there is a larger issue of remembering those who are not with us and also helps breast cancer survivors, recover and get stronger after they’ve gone through treatment and during their treatment, the support they get from their teams,” said NBP paddler, Abby Wolf.
Audrey and Abby say paddlers teams on the Suncoast are always looking for new recruits
“I would just encourage people to come out and try dragon boating, Nathan Benderson park is a great facility, we have great coaches, great teams, we have open events for new paddlers to just get on the boat one day and just try it so I encourage people to come try it, men, women, children of all ages,” said Bilotti.
“Were finding so much growth, every couple of months there’s new paddlers,” said Wolf.
