Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Sideline Sid likes to get out and about on the weekends to keep up to date with the Western Bay sporting world. On Saturday he checked out the dragon boat racing at The Lakes at Tauriko.

Knowing nothing about the sport, my first port of call was Wikipedia to get a little background information.

Wikipedia told me that a dragon boat is a paddled watercraft, traditionally made of teak wood to various designs and sizes. It is one of a family of traditional long boats found throughout Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands.

While competition in the watercraft has taken place for over 20 centuries as part of folk ritual, it emerged as an international sport in Hong Kong as recently as 1976.

Arriving at the competition arena around mid morning, the small village that had sprung up to accommodate both competitors and spectators, was a hive of activity.

Choosing a grassy bank on the other side of the course to watch the racing provided a perfect spot to view the four boat contests at close quarters.

My first impressions of the dragon boats were that they were a cross between rowing and surfboats. Each boat had what looked to be a coxswain at the front who appeared to call the number of strokes required, while a sweep managed the direction of the boat courtesy of a large oar.

What really appealed was the non-stop action. No sooner than one race finished, the next group of crews were ready to board the four boats to paddle up to the start line.

Individual races were short sharp dashes down the course accompanied by the cries of the cox, who were imploring their crew to paddle in unison, and expend as much energy as possible.

Arrival over the finish line saw a mixture of pumping the air in jubilation and just sheer exhaustion.

The dragon boat event reminded me of being lucky enough to get a guided tour of the Ngaruawahia Regatta about a decade ago.

The Ngaruawahia Regatta, which is today hosted by Turangawaewae Waka Sports, was first held in 1896, on the banks where the Waikato and Waipa River join forces.

Today's events, which originated from the racing of the mighty Waka (war canoes) – see primary and secondary school regattas compete on the Thursday and Friday, leading to the main event on Saturday.

While there is non-stop racing and a myriad of land based activities during Saturday including the best hangi in the country – the parade and racing of the mighty Waka down the Waikato River, is one of the most awesome sights that you will see.

It is well worth the short journey over the Kaimai ranges to see an event that is unique in the world. The traditional date is the closest Saturday to the 17th March, which by my reckoning makes it Saturday the 19th March this year.

Seeya at the Game