Thousands Turn Out For Dragon Boat Regatta On The Schuylkill River
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Tents, grills and lawn games lined the banks of the Schuylkill River Saturday for the Independence Dragon Boat Regatta. It's kind of like a tailgate party with a boat race backdrop.
Chairman Ken Wong says there about 3,000 participants.
"We have clubs, corporate teams that come in from New York City, Washington D.C., all over the Delaware Valley area," Wong said. "We have educators, active duty military."
And the money raised goes to charity.
"Liberty USO, local nonprofits, like Turning Points For Children, Wounded Warrior programs that we fund that are local," Wong said.
Jackie Ahrens and her teammate Linda Starr from New Hope, Pa. love the competition and the camaraderie.
"It's an adrenaline rush like you wouldn't believe," Ahrens said. "You're working so hard and it's like two and half minutes of sheer drive and emotion and craziness."
"I just love it. I love the exercise. I love being outside doing anything," Starr said. "Being on the river is beautiful. I just love the people on the team."
There are 88 teams participating to make their best time on the 500 meter course.
