First Israeli Dragon Boat Race Paddles into History on the Sea of Galilee
More than 900 Paddle Their Way Through The Kinneret
Dragon Boat IsraelDragon Boat Israel (DBI) held its first ever race and festival on Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee) on Friday, May 18.
Thirty-nine teams, totaling over 900 paddlers, took part. Twenty of the teams were Israeli and 19 were international -- from Canada, the US, Holland, Italy, Australia and Taiwan. The winning team was Tailgaters from Canada, followed by Ohalo College (Israel), L’Chaim on the Mayim (Canada), Degania Bet (Israel) and Kinneret College (Israel).
Many of the overseas participants were visiting Israel for the first time. In addition to taking part in the race, they enjoyed a ten-day guided tour of the country.
No less than eight teams were comprised of breast cancer survivors (six from North America and two from Israel). They held a moving ceremony at the end of the breast cancer survivors’ race, in memory of those who had lost their battle to the disease, and threw pink flowers into the water.
The race was the focal point of a two-day “happening” on the shores of the lake. Other attractions included musical performances, sporting activities, Tai Chi workshops, drumming workshops and craft and food stands.
The race - a joint Canada-Israel initiative, was conceived to introduce the sport of dragon boat racing to Israel and to bring people to northern Israel for an exciting, team-focused event that builds community. Participants raised over NIS 200,000 for educational charities, including Net@, which provides computer training for teens, and Youth Futures, an intervention program for teens-at-risk.
Debbie Halton-Weiss, founder of Dragon Boat Israel and chair of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, was moved to see that more than 1,000 spectators had come from all over Israel to watch the race. “I am delighted by the warm sporting spirit which has embraced the race. I am pleased that people abroad will be watching and will see Israelis enjoying sporting events while contributing to the community. Next year’s dragon boat race will take place on May 9 and 10, and I hope that it will attract even more paddlers.”
Ceremony in Jerusalem Conjures Up Mixed Feelings
Annual Event Celebrates 46 Years of Reunification
Grad Rockets Fired Into Southern Israel From Sinai Peninsula
President Obama Sends Birthday Wishes to Shimon Peres
When State of Israel Was Established, it Was Home to Just 800,000
Solemnity of Yom HaZikaron to Festive Yom Ha’atzmaut
Ceremony in Jerusalem Conjures Up Mixed Feelings
Annual Event Celebrates 46 Years of Reunification
Grad Rockets Fired Into Southern Israel From Sinai Peninsula
President Obama Sends Birthday Wishes to Shimon Peres
When State of Israel Was Established, it Was Home to Just 800,000
Solemnity of Yom HaZikaron to Festive Yom Ha’atzmaut
The 19 year old sophomore sat on the exam table looking at the floor. A college student with obvious charm
In 1971, researchers set up a prison in the basement of Stanford University's Psychology Department. The idea was to
As I have tried to make abundantly clear the United States is the only country in the industrialized world that
Alright, that does it.Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Americans have been willing to do their part for
A study appeared in a journal titled “Obesity” which was reported by a group from the University of Colorado. In
Sixty-five years ago today, World War II officially came to an end. On September 2, 1945, Japanese Foreign Minister
Share This Story With Your Friends!
Friend's Name:
Friend's E-Mail:
(This information will not be displayed publicly)
Optional Message:
