Dragon boats set sail again on Florida Lake
37 teams from different provinces competed in this year's event.
Dragon boats returned to the waters of Florida Lake with a spectacular show of stamina and spirit on April 26.
The fifth annual New Apostolic Church Dragon Boat Regatta, hosted by the Gauteng Dragon Boat Association (GDBA) and Florida Lake Dragon Boat Club, drew in teams from far and wide.
Also read: Florida Lake alive again with majestic dragon boats
With roots in ancient China, dragon boat racing has been a part of South African waters since 1996, and Florida Lake has been hosting the event since 1999.
This year’s regatta saw an impressive 37 teams participate, with over 800 paddlers and more than 2 500 people in attendance, including competitors and spectators from as far as Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West.
The festive atmosphere was palpable as teams battled it out, cheered on by enthusiastic spectators.
“The event was a resounding success, with no injuries or incidents reported. It was a perfect day for families to enjoy the outdoors before the onset of winter,” said Beulah Cloete, chairperson and events co-ordinator for GDBA.
In the end, the Super Eagles from Diepsloot and Oliewenhoutbosch emerged victorious. The Faithful Ones from Kempton Park secured second place, while Zandspruit claimed third.
