Living Root Dragon Boat Recruiting More Men and Women For 2007 Racing Season

October 12, 2006

Boston, Massachusetts — Living Root Dragon Boat (“LRDB”), a competitive Boston dragon boat racing club, seeks men and women over 18 years of age to train and compete with the club in 2007. LRDB will be competing at races in Boston, Montreal, New York City, Pawtucket and Hartford. No prior experience is required. Candidates possessing athleticism and good overall fitness, or prior experience with triathlons, swimming, basketball, cycling, marathons, volleyball, rugby, field hockey, lacrosse, football, soccer, running, crew, rowing, sculling, paddling, canoeing, white water rafting, outrigger, kayaking, water polo, and/or yoga are all invited to join the team.

LRDB holds indoor training sessions at the JFK Middle School pool near Porter Square at 5 Cherry Street, Somerville, Massachusetts on Thursdays at 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM and Saturdays 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM. To schedule a free trial practice, contact Bob Lee at Bob.Lee@livingroot.org or 617-413-8360.

“In September, we finished our 2006 racing season with a third place overall finish at the Pawtucket dragon boat race and first places in the B and E Divisions at the Hartford dragon boat race,” says LRDB President, Bob Lee. “At Hartford, we had 2 teams, totaling 41 people, half of whom have been racing with us all year, which showed in their performance when they won by over a boat-length on their last race.”

In 2006, LRDB received sponsorship from anonymous sponsor, Asgard Irish Pub & Restaurant, Birch Manor Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center, Boston Billiard Club, Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc., Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, Fong & Kaston, LLP, glacéau vitaminwater, LäraBar, Lee Technical Athletics, Peking Tom, Robinson & Cole LLP, Raytheon Asian Pacific Association – Northeast, Rockstar Energy Drink, Saving Teens In Crisis Collaborative, Starbucks Corporation, Tsingtao, USA Dragon Boating LLC, and Zōe Foods.

"We're extremely pleased to have the renewed support of all of our 2005 sponsors to say nothing of the fact that we almost quadrupled our overall number of sponsors this year," Mr. Lee says. "These are relationships that we value highly as they help us attract new members and supporters."

LRDB also has partnerships with AccesSportAmerica, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Patagonia, Whirling Girl, Lotus Designs, Dragon Boat World Magazine, the City of Somerville and Water Girl. The team is fundraising for $40,000 to help train and equip its members including the purchase of a state-of-the-art 41’-long fiberglass dragon boat. The club is seeking sponsors and other partners to meet these financial goals as well as to develop a dragon boat youth program.

"2007 will look nothing like 2006. We expect to be training on our own dragon boats and consistently field 2 teams to all of our local races,” adds Mr. Lee. “If people are looking for a new team sport to be a part of with a positive group of men and women who are motivated to succeed and earn their wins through consistent effort together, we're the team you want to be a part of.”

ABOUT LIVING ROOT DRAGON BOAT, INC.

Living Root Dragon Boat, a Boston dragon boat club, is a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. LRDB’s mission is to promote the sport of dragon boat and cross-cultural understanding through the sport of dragon boat and community outreach programs.

ABOUT DRAGON BOAT

Dragon boat racing is an ancient Chinese sport that has become a global phenomenon held in over 40 countries around the world. According to Paddler Magazine, dragon boat racing is the fastest growing water sport and the second most popular water sport in the world. In the U.S. alone, there are several hundred clubs and teams that compete annually in the sport of dragon boat. In North America, dragon boats are constructed of either wood or fiberglass and typically hold 20 people paddling in unison with a drummer and steerer at the front and back respectively.

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CONTACT
Bob Lee, President
Living Root Dragon Boat, Inc.
14 Weld Hill Street
Boston, MA 02130 USA
Email: Bob.Lee@livingroot.org
Telephone: 617.413.8360
Website: www.livingroot.org