‘Dragon Boat’ Racing
Attracting Fans Here
By Sara Nelson

Over the weekend of Aug. 4, nearly 2000 racers converged in dragon-shaped boats on Lake Champlain for some friendly competition, and to honor breast cancer victims and survivors.

The second annual Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival was a two-day event that included a paddling workshop, taiko drumming demonstration, flower ceremony, and lots of races for both community teams and breast cancer survivor and supporter teams.

The festival raised money for the Vermont Respite House, and for Dragonheart Vermont, the state’s only dragon boat organization, which introduces breast cancer survivors to the "life-affirming" sport. Dragonheart Vermont also hosted the festival.

Braintree resident Ed Bonoyer was a paddler on the overall winning team, "The "Dragons of Heaven." The team was composed of members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and they were racing in honor of captain Claude Broussard’s late wife, Jill Violette, who died of breast cancer in November.

Bonoyer said the team’s victory was especially fitting because Violette was the first member of Dragonheart.

Although dragon boat racing is an ancient Chinese sport dating back 2500 years, and is the most popular sport in the world after soccer, it is new to Vermont.

It was introduced by Dragonheart founder Linda Dyer, a 14-year breast cancer survivor, and her husband John Dyer, the athletic director and men’s basketball coach at Vermont Technical College. Linda Dyer was introduced to dragon boat racing while living in Philadelphia, and founded Dragonheart after moving to Vermont.

The first ever Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival was a success, attracting 52 teams. The festival has continued to grow, with the number of teams competing swelling to 87 at this summer’s festival.

Dyer said the dragon boat racing is "the ultimate team sport" because success is based on teamwork rather than athletic ability. Teams consist of 20 paddlers plus one drummer who keeps the beat.

Dyer said that mission of Dragonheart Vermont is to promote breast cancer awareness and hope for cancer survivors.

"The beautiful thing is that it truly is a team sport, for both top athletes and weekend warriors," said Dyer.

Bonoyer agreed.

"It really is a great organization and a wonderful story," he said.