Dragon boats ride Latin wave of popularity

Raising awareness

Dragon boat racing was already well-established in Brazil and Panama before pink boat events began spreading and further boosted the sport's popularity.

It is particularly popular in Argentina, where the sport first arrived in 2014. Over the past 10 years, it has gained significant traction.

Maria Bolatti, a 65-year-old doctor, is now an avid paddler, having been introduced to the sport through a breast cancer survivor's team.

In La Plata, a city near Argentina's capital Buenos Aires, Bolatti helped start a 10-member group called Dragones Rosas La Plata (La Plata Pink Dragons).

As membership grew, the team started training in various locations around the city.

Team members used kayaks and canoes to train until they received their first dragon boat five years ago.

The team members wear pink life vests and exercise at the Plaza Malvinas Argentinas park before getting on the water. Each member plays a role in preparing the boat, from attaching the dragon head to setting up the vital drum.

"I haven't stopped practicing this sport since 2019," Bolatti told China Daily.

Annual Lunar New Year celebrations in Buenos Aires now feature dragon boat races along the Puerto Madero riverfront showcasing local teams and drawing in large crowds.

In 2023, Argentina's national team debuted at the World Championships in Thailand. Silvia Caruso served as the team's helmswoman, which involves steering the boat and communicating with the crew. Caruso had previously participated in the Club World Championship in Ravenna.

Caruso's own experience with dragon boating has also evolved.

She aims to grow her Guardianas Rosas (Pink Guardians) team, which is made up solely of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

"The uniqueness of this team is that it is made up of women diagnosed with breast cancer. It is a great commitment. Beyond the physical exercise, it is highly beneficial for the recovery from the disease," Caruso said.

"We want to raise awareness about the benefits of practicing this sport and to promote early detection and care of the disease. We need the entire community's support to continue this project.

"I came looking to practice a water sport. I went to take rowing lessons and found a group of women practicing dragon boat paddling," said Caruso. "They invited me to join, and I've been practicing ever since.

"This discipline is very complete. You work your entire body: strength training, endurance, and, most importantly, your work as a team. Coordination is necessary. Everyone has a role. We are all important."

Dragon boat racing takes more than just physical training.

"It requires camaraderie, commitment, and discipline from every team member," said Caruso. "And through our efforts, we stay connected to nature itself."

The author is a freelance journalist for China Daily.