Practice began Monday night for the second annual Acadiana Dragon Boat Festival.Â
Twenty-four teams are participating this year, said Magen Smith, one of the festival organizers. Two teams will race at a time on the day of the race, she said.Â
Each team has 20 paddlers, a drummer and three alternates. The teams are competing in authentic Hong Kong-style Dragon Boats, whichare rented from 22Dragons in Canada, said On Tap president Wess Robison. The company sends two coaches to help the teams practice the week before the race and the day of the race.
This year’s coaches areMikeMondrall of Beverly Hills, Fla., and Phil Goldfinch of Montreal. Mondrallsaid each team will have two preliminary races on Saturday. Theeight teams with the best times will advance to the finals, he said.Â
The Acadiana festival began last year as a way to raise money for the New Iberia City Park Playground Enhancement Project. This year, the festival put on by On Tap will benefit the organization’s community engagement initiatives and the New Iberia Park and Recreation enhancement projects, Robison said.Â
The Acadiana Dragon Boat Festival opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. Visit www.acadianadragonboatfestival.com for more information or call 352-2180 for the voicemail.
