Dragon boat races draw hundreds to downtown

LANSING – Hundreds of people braved unseasonably cold weather Sunday to race down the Grand River.

The Capital City Dragon Boat Race, held this weekend at Adado Riverfront Park in Lansing, is poised to become the largest fundraiser for the nonprofit Women's Center of Greater Lansing.

Now in its third year, the race drew 22 teams including local corporations, nonprofit organizations and individual groups of friends. Teams competed in time trials, with the fastest advancing in competition.

Organizers also scheduled an event to honor cancer survivors.

Based on an ancient Chinese tradition, dragon boat racing involves teams of roughly 18-20 people in long boats, paddling in unison. Equal parts strength and teamwork, organizers say the sport works best when its participants are in sync.

Michelle Schotzko, a fitness instructor at Tina Brookhouse Fitness Studio in Williamston, recruited people in her classes and other friends to form a team after learning about the races.

During practice runs on Saturday, someone suggested the team count out loud to set a rhythm, said Schotzko, captain of the team named Paddle to the Medal. It seemed to work: The group won its first heat Sunday morning.

"The most important thing is working together," she said, adding that paddling in sync is harder than it looks.

The organization hoped to raise $10,000 from the event, but it likely won't meet the goal this year due to fewer sponsorships than anticipated, said Cindie Alwood, the nonprofit's executive director.

Proceeds will benefit the center's programs and services, which include counseling, support groups, career workshops and a donated professional wardrobe closet available to clients.

Alwood said she hopes the dragon boat race will raise visibility of the 9-year-old Women's Center.

"It's really, really all about teamwork," she said of the races. "That's really a big part of who we are."