The Pirates Dragon Boat Team is one of the veteran members of the Fraser Valley Dragon Boat Club. Formed in April of 2005, this will be The Pirates third season on the water. With the beginning of a New Year comes new goals, expectations and definitely more fun. The Gold Medal winners (F Division) at Alcan are hoping to improve on their performances from last year. With two years under their belt and with a renewed commitment to compete, The Pirates have all the ingredients needed to create another memorable season.

About Dragon Boating
Dragon boat racing began more than 2000 years ago on the banks of the life-sustaining rivers in the valleys of southern China as a fertility rite to ensure plentiful crops. The first participants were superstitious and held their own celebration on the fifth day of the of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar (summer solstice). This time of year was traditionally associated with disease and death; a dark and evil time. The race was held to avert misfortune and encourage the rains needed for prosperity - and the object of their worship was the dragon. The most venerated of Chinese zodiac deities, the dragon of Asia has traditionally been a symbol of water. It is said to rule the rivers and seas and dominate the clouds and rains. The first races were meant to mock dragon battles staged in order to awaken the hibernating Heavenly Dragon. Sacrifices were made to the dragon sorcerers.  Humans, the cleverest and most powerful of all beings were the original sacrifices. Even much later, when a rower or an entire team fell into the water they would receive no assistance because it was believed to be wrong to interfere with the will of the gods.