BRAINERD ROTARY Dragon Boat Races

The Paul Bunyan Axemen were in two races on August 22, 2009.  The race length was 450 yards in protected waters off Barkers Island in Superior Wisconsin, just across from Duluth.  In the afternoon race, they improved their time by 4 seconds and came within 3 seconds of having to race again in the finals!  (All were pretty tired and glad not to have to race again!)  Had they not been missing 3 paddlers, they probably would have been in the finals in their class. 

There were 84 teams competing in the event, with classes ranging from professionals to outright beginners.  (The Axemen were in the latter class.)  4 boats raced at a time.  The race times ranged from just over 2 minutes to close to 3 minutes.  Ours was 2:35 in the morning race and 2:31 in the afternoon race.  The event was smoothly run by a huge group of  volunteers, with many from the Superior and Harbortown Rotary Clubs.   It was a very festive event. 

11/17/2009