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Another milestone for Easts Dragon Boat Club, Sydney Australia.
On Saturday, April 7, 2018 Easts Dragon Boat Club held a traditional Eye-Dotting Ceremony at Tingira Beach, Rose Bay on the beautiful Sydney Harbour to welcome their third Dragon Boat.
The Club was successful in securing a grant from the NSW Government Community Building Partnership scheme, which enabled them to acquire a much needed 10 seater boat to accommodate the increasing number of paddlers to the Club.
The ceremony was presided over by Master Chen and his accompanying Taoist Monks who blessed the boat along with the Easts crew. The Monks chanted and sprinkled 'God's water' to instil the strength of the mighty dragon. Food offerings were made and the evil spirits were banished. Each team member placed incense on the altar symbolising the unity of the team.
The Honorable Gabrielle Upton, Member for Vaucluse, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Local Government and Minister for Heritage conducted the most important part of the ceremony by dotting the eyes, ears, tail and tongue of the dragon boat. Traditionally, this is referred to as 'awakening the dragon' in preparation for training and racing.
Gabrielle joined the crew in introducing the new boat to the Rose Bay waters where the Easts team train. The boat was paddled to shore 3 times, symbolic of the dragon bowing to the gods as a sign of respect and being welcomed to the waters.
Dragon Boat NSW, CEO, Lucy Warhurst and Chair, Tamsyn Glen were also in attendance in support of the Easts Club and to witness this most significant and traditional ceremony.
Interested in joining the Easts Team - visit www.eastsdragons.org.au
