Steady drumbeats echoed across Lake Harris as dragon boaters faced off during the Central Florida Dragon Boat Challenge and Food Fest.
More than 600 people — from paddlers to spectators — took over Leesburg’s Ski Beach Park in Leesburg on Saturday for the free event held in partnership with Pan Am Dragon Boat and the City of Leesburg.
“It’s a war on the water, but we are family on land,” said Grace Genetia, race director for the Central Florida Dragon Boat Challenge. “As we all got here this morning there was a lot of hugging.”
In its third year, the race has continued to grow, according to Genetia. This year, 52 teams from all over the state took to the water. Its first year saw 42 teams and its second, 47.
“I’m just so grateful that people chose to spend their Memorial Day weekend with us sweating while racing or supporting the event,” she said. “The event is a win-win for everyone in Leesburg and Lake County. Economically, it’s a big boon because people are traveling from Jacksonville, Tampa or Miami and they are spending time and money in Lake County.”
Marcus Niblack, recreation manager for the City of Leesburg, said the event provided a fun afternoon for everyone with “delicious food and refreshing drinks from local vendors, music and a vibrant festival atmosphere.”
In between races, attendees stopped by food vendors including Health Attack, and Triple “D” Express Grill.
Showcasing their speed across the water, 10-paddler dragon boat teams competed in a series of back-to-back races, including two 200-meter races and one 400-meter race.
The Villages was represented by Blackheart, Eastport Sun Dragons, Silver Dragons and Leatherneck Warriors, members of the Grand Masters Dragon Boat Club, as well as the Dragon Sisters and HEAT dragon boat clubs. Other local teams included the Lake County Dragon Boat Club and the newly formed Sumter County Dragon Boat Club.
Mary Lou Bremer, of the Village of Bonita and member of Blackheart, said she worked to set and balance the five boats used in the race days before the competition to make sure everything was ready.
Bremer, who has been dragon boating for the past 14 years, said the 50 members of Blackheart practice three times a week on Lake Sumter, working on technique and synchronization.
“I think what is important is the camaraderie and competition,” she said. “We make so many good friends. This competition is close to home and the program is run very well. It’s a lot of fun.”
The competitive spirit among paddlers and support from friends and family stayed high throughout the entire day.
At 8:30 a.m., an air horn signaled the start of the first race that included seven teams competing in the first round of the 200-meter for Senior A/B mixed 40-59.
The times for each round and race were added up at the end of the event to determine gold, silver and bronze winners.
After completing two of five races, Lois Edwards, of the Village of Fenney and member of Blackheart, said she was looking forward to the races continuing.
“The times are aggregate for this particular race,” she said. “That means every race is critical. You should always put your best into every race. Being over 65 and retired, I can stay fit with this sport and I’ve made hundreds of new friends.”
The Blackheart team took home medals in four divisions: bronze in the Senior A/B mixed 40-59, silver in the senior C/D mixed 60-plus and gold in both the Senior A/B open and Senior C/D open 60-plus.
The weekend race marked the first time the Central Florida Dragon Boat Challenge featured youth teams competing in an under 18 division.
Twenty youth paddlers made up the Dragoneers, the competitive youth team from the Sumter County Dragon Boat Club, featuring students from Wildwood Middle High School and South Sumter High School.
Lou Mintzer, of the Village of Hawkins and coach of the Dragoneers, said this was the team’s first time competing in a race, with the schools competing against each other on the water.
South Sumter won gold and Wildwood Middle High School took home silver.
“Today has been great and everything has been going as good as expected, if not better,” Mintzer said.
After a full day of excitement, the event ended on a playful note with the 100-meter Rubber Chicken Challenge, during three teams raced to throw a rubber chicken in a bucket.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
