About Us

The Dubuque Dragon Boat Association will be hosting the 20th Annual Dubuque Dragon Boat Races here in September 2007. The event will be held at Miller Riverview Park. In order to make this event successful we need to raise approximately $25,000.00 to help defray some of the cost of hosting this event.

The Dubuque Dragon Boat Association has established committees to work with: Hospitality (welcoming/opening ceremonies, parties, etc.), Hosting (domestic and foreign teams), Safety/Security, Park Set Up, Training (foreign and local teams), and Fund Raising. These committees work year round to ensure the success of every festival that Dubuque holds.

This event typically draws teams from as far away as Minnesota and Ontario Canada that join us on a regular basis for our local races. These teams return time and time again because of the competition, the area, and the hospitality of Dubuque. By hosting this event in Dubuque we are hoping to have 25-35 teams with each team consisting of a minimum of 20 people. This brings 500-700 team participants to the races plus additional family members and spectators. While we do not have accurate numbers for spectators, we have been told our local races draw a significant number of people. Lodging, food, entertainment, and various sundry items for participants and spectators should bring a significant increase in revenue to local businesses. We want to make this event successful and get participants to return. It is for this reason that we are asking our local businesses to help support this event by sponsoring events, teams, boats or just by making contributions.

The dragon boat festival provides the Dubuque Dragon Boat Association an opportunity to bring to Dubuque visitors from all over the world. Through dragon boating the DDBA promotes cultural exchanges between foreign and local teams and the education of the public on the Asian culture associated with the dragon boat festival. A goal of this festival is to give our guests a chance to learn about Dubuque and give the people of Dubuque a chance to be exposed to a diverse group of people and cultures.

We hope to educate the public on our riverfront, its beauty and its potential for development for recreation. The dragon boat festival held each year at Miller Riverview Park has been instrumental in focusing attention on the park. The festival also gives us an opportunity to educate and encourage the public to use the river for fitness activities. We do this throughout the year by offering the opportunity to experience the healthy, environmentally friendly, fitness activities of paddling and rowing. Dragon boating has encouraged many individuals to get themselves fit for their team’s racing experiences.

History

The Dubuque Dragon Boat Association (DDBA) was formed by a group of paddling enthusiasts in 1988 and incorporated in 1992 and reorganized in 1998 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of paddle sports and dragon boating in the tri-states. In our nineteen-year history we have provided the opportunity for thousands of people from all over the world the chance to enjoy the paddling sports on the Mississippi River in Dubuque.

Our Motto

Our motto, in conjunction with the American Dragon Boat Association, is “Friendship through Paddling”. Our purpose is to encourage the building of friendships around the world through the common interest, excitement, and healthy exercise associated with paddle sports especially dragon boat competition.

The vision of the DDBA is “to enhance the attractiveness of our community by providing unique opportunities for recreation and sport impacting the health of all residents.” As we look to achieve this vision, we have established several goals. They are (1) to ensure the future of the sport of dragon boating, (2) grow the sport of dragon boating, (3) promote cultural exchanges, and (4) promote healthy life styles.

Dubuque Dragon Boat Association Board Members

Sue Miller, President
Dboatsue2@aol.com

Earl Brimeyer, Vice President
ebrimeyer@aol.com