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Let the races begin: Dragon boats are here

Event features 21 teams competing in Lewes-Rehoboth Canal
The first team to practice, Lotus Chiropractic, gets some last-minute instructions from steersman Chris Behling as they prepare to enter the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal early Sept. 12. BY RON MACARTHUR
Ron MacArthur
September 13, 2013
The dragon heads and tails will be added to the boats following practice sessions. BY RON MACARTHUR
Penny and Chris Behling of Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing secure the boats at a dock in Lewes' Canalfront Park. The company is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. BY RON MACARTHUR
Penny Behling of Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing carries a load a lifejackets to hand out to paddlers during this week's practice sessions.
A team of a dragon boat paddlers is reflected in Chris Behling's sunglasses as he gives race instructions prior to a practice session. BY RON MACARTHUR
Each team in the competition will paddle a different colored boat in a series of heats leading to the finals. BY RON MACARTHUR
Chris Behling unloads a boat making way for a team to practice paddling. BY RON MACARTHUR
Penny Behling pushes off the dock as three of the six 46-foot dragon boats are floated to Canalfront Park. BY RON MACARTHUR
Members of the Lotus Chiropractic team get used to the idea of paddling together as a team. BY RON MACARTHUR
Paddles are lined up and ready as the Cape Region gets its first look at dragon boat racing. BY RON MACARTHUR
Members of Striper Bites, left, and Lotus Chiropractic are first in the water during three days of practice leading up to the Sunday, Sept. 15 main event.

Practice sessions are underway as 21 teams prepare to compete in the Lewes Dragon Boat Festival starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, at Lewes Canalfront Park. Spectators are welcome and food vendors will be on hand. All proceeds will benefit the Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences in Georgetown.

Races will start in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal north of the Lightship Overfalls, and finish at Canalfront Park. Each race covers a distance of about 350 meters (1,148 feet) and should take about two to three minutes to complete.

Festival vendors will include Annabella's Italian restaurant, Cake Break, Gilligan’s Waterfront Restaurant, Jerry’s Seafood Restaurant, King's Homemade Ice Cream Shops, Root Gourmet, Savannahs Deli and Grille and Touch of Italy.

For additional information about the event, go to lewesdragonboat.com. For more information about the academy, go to sussexacademy.org.

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