Get ready to feel the rhythm and roar of the dragon! This Saturday, May 7th, the waters of Point Mallard Park will come alive with the thunderous splash of paddles and the beat of drums as 37 teams gear up for the 13th annual Dragon Boat Race & Festival, hosted by the Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation.
The excitement kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with a vibrant opening ceremony featuring the traditional dotting of the dragon's eye—a symbolic gesture to awaken the spirit of the boats—alongside a powerful performance by the Daikin drummers. From there, teams representing local powerhouses like Austin and Decatur high schools, Daikin, Nucor, and The Decatur Daily will take to the water in 46-foot-long, traditional Hong Kong-style dragon boats, chanting and paddling in perfect unison.
Behind the scenes, Dynamic Dragon Boat Racing—a Knoxville-based company that orchestrates about 29 events annually across the eastern U.S.—provides everything from the boats and paddles to life preservers and expert instructors. Each team is made up of 22 members: a drummer setting the pace at the front, 20 synchronized rowers, and a steerer (always a Dynamic instructor) guiding from the back. Co-owner Chris Behling explains that the training starts right on the beach at Point Mallard, where instructors teach safety, commands, and proper alignment before anyone hits the water.
"First thing they start learning to do is the stroke and then paddling together," Behling shared on Tuesday. Once the teams move out onto the Tennessee River, the focus shifts to syncing up their rhythm. "After they're paddling really well together, we focus on what they need for race day—teaching them how to start and race based on what we've been working on," he adds. The final touch? A power series for the last 50 meters, helping teams "really hammer" their finish.
The race itself spans 250 meters, with top teams clocking in at around 1 minute 30 seconds to 1 minute 40 seconds. But the local waters add a unique twist. "The water is a bit shallower here, and that makes a difference," Behling notes. "You always run faster in deeper water—once you're over 10 feet, the boat glides better. Here, we'll create a bit of wake at the end of the race."
Among the competitors is Haylie Martin, a member of the Daikin Row-Bots and one of the more seasoned participants, now heading into her third competition. This year, she's taken on a new role: drummer. "I've been upgraded to drummer," the Athens resident jokes. "I'm not sure if that means I'm really good or really bad at rowing—probably the second." Despite the self-deprecating humor, Martin is confident about her team's performance after Tuesday's practice. "We'll be better on race day," she says. "We'll have the enthusiasm and energy. We just need to improve our timing a little bit."
Whether you're a seasoned paddler or a first-time spectator, this festival promises a day of high-energy competition, community spirit, and unforgettable moments on the water. So grab your gear, find your spot on the shore, and get ready to cheer—because the dragons are ready to race.