| How can I become a vendor for the event? Vendors can sign up accessing our web site, printing out the application, then submitting to the address provided. You may access some information on the "vendor link" on the web site. If you are a new vendor, you must contact Jeananne Niemann, our vendor coordinator, at 352- 742-2352 so that she can pre-screen you. We want to ensure that we do not duplicate vendors so that each participant can receive maximum benefit. Which hotels should we contact for reservation? Mission Inn of Howey in the Hills and Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Tavares. Both hotels can be located on the web. What is the minimum amount of time a team has to practice? A team can practice as little or as much as they like. If you are a new team, it is necessary to have at least one 1-hour training session with as many team members who can make it. During this one training session, we will teach you the paddle strokes, how to get to the start line, and some basics. Teams that have participated in prior years DO NOT need to practice prior to the race. What is the maximum amount of time a team may practice? Many of our teams are quite competitive, so the festival will provide up to four hours of coaching sessions. After this, you may continue to practice based on the availability of boats. You may check the availability of boats through the Tavares Chamber of Commerce who will be coordinating practice schedules during the month of March. When will team practices begin? The festival will begin offering coached training starting the first week of March. You must call the Tavares Chamber of Commerce to coordinate a time 352-343-2531. What additional training is available? Teams that wish to seriously train and compete may request a “champion trainer” as a coach for 1-2 training sessions. Please alert the Tavares Chamber of your wish to pre-schedule this special training. When will race schedules be published on the web site? We will publish schedules within 3 days of race day. When will entertainment schedules be published on the web site? We will publish the entertainment schedule 1 week prior to the event. What is the minimum age to paddle/drum/steer on a team? The CFDBF requires that each member be at least 14 years old. Is a drummer required on each team? Yes, participation in the CFDBF requires that you have a drummer at the front of the boat that is drumming audibly. This is different than last year and is an effort to maintain the rich culture and history around dragon boating. What time should teams arrive on the morning of the races? All team captains must register, find the tent, and become familiar with the grounds the morning of the race. Out of town teams must make sure all waivers (waivers found within the Team Captains Handbook found under the link at the bottom of the this page and the home page of this web site. There will also be a brief team captain meeting at 8:15 in the big tent. We would suggest that you arrive by 7:30 to achieve all of this. |
 |
| The Rotary Club of Tavares Proudly Presents The 8th Annual Dragon Boat Festival Coming April 16 & 17, 2010 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
