Do you have a question for us that you don’t see answered here? Let us know.
What is DBI?
Do I have to be Jewish to participate?
What physical skills must one have to participate in a dragon boat race?
Who is allowed to paddle?
Do I need to find my own team?
What equipment do I need?
What should I wear for paddling?
Do we need our own boat?
Do we need a steersperson?
Is there somewhere to practice in my home city before I go to Israel?
I will be competing. Can my spouse/family members attend the Festival if they are not?
How many races will I be participating in?
How long is the Festival day?
What accommodations are around the Festival site?
How far is the Festival location from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
What do I need to know about travel to Israel? Is it safe to travel to Israel?
What is the weather like in Israel in May?
What is a kibbutz?
What is the difference between the 3-, 4- and 5-star accommodations?
Can I participate in the Festival and then travel or visit friends on my own?
Is there a minimum amount of money I must raise in order to participate in the Festival?
How do I register?
I’m not able to paddle, but would like to volunteer at the event. Is this possible?
How can my company become an event sponsor?
What is DBI?
Dragon Boat Israel (DBI) is a dragon boat festival held every spring on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in Israel; the last one was held in May of 2015. And international amateur festival, DBI is open to all – new and seasoned paddlers, teams and individuals, of all ages, genders, religion and ability level.
Do I have to be Jewish to participate?
Absolutely not. It is one of DBI’s explicit mandates to welcome those of all faiths. We are proud that an Israeli team that came together to race in DBI and went on to the World championship in Ravenna, Italy in September, 2014 is comprised of Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze members from the age of 12 to 65.
What physical skills must one have to participate in a dragon boat race?
The great thing about dragon boat racing is that almost anyone can participate. All you need is enthusiasm and a basic ability to sit in a boat and give whatever you can to work together with your fellow paddlers. Spirit and a desire to do your best are your most important attributes.
Who is allowed to paddle?
Racing is open to everyone over the age of 12 years of age. Teams must have at least 8 women paddlers in the boat all races. Your drummer and steersperson can be of any gender. You are allowed up to 25 people on your roster, which gives you the room for 3 spare paddlers.
Do I need to find my own team?
No. You can register as an individual and we will contact you and match you up with an appropriate team looking for more paddlers. Similarly, if you need more members for your roster, you can contact us to help you find them.
What equipment do I need?
None! The boats, paddles, and life jackets (PFDs) are all provided. You just bring yourself and clothes that can get wet!
Paddlers are permitted to use their own paddles and lifejackets if they want, provided they meet the required specifications. Wearing an approved full-vest personal flotation device (PFD) is required by participants at all times while on the water.
What should I wear for paddling?
Dragon boat racing is a water sport and some splashing should be expected. Runners or sandals are typical footwear worn in the boat and fast-drying shorts and shirts are preferable. Bringing a dry change of clothes with you to the venue is also recommended.
Do we need our own boat?
No. DBI supplies all dragon boats.
Do we need a steersperson?
DBI will provide experienced steerspersons to teams that require one.
Is there somewhere to practice in my home city before I go to Israel?
Many cities in North America have dragon boat Festivals and/or club in operation. There is a good chance you will find something close to home. If you contact us, we are happy to connect you with the dragon boat community closest to where you live.
I will be competing. Can my spouse/family members attend the festival if they are not?
Everyone is welcome. There will be lots to do at the festival for everyone as well as touring opportunities in the area. Of course, volunteering is always welcome as well.
How many races will I be participating in?
A minimum of 2 races per team.
How long is the Festival day?
The Festival will begin early, around 7 am and end approximately at 3 pm, which is when the lake becomes quite windy.
What accommodations are around the Festival site?
There are several hotels within walking distance or a short shuttle bus ride from the festival site, as well as others in the nearby town of Tiberius.
How far is the Festival location from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem?
It is about a 2-hour scenic drive from either city.
What do I need to know about travel to Israel? Is it safe to travel to Israel?
Israel is a very modern country that provides opportunity for travel into 4,000 years of history. The weather at that time of year should be warm, but not too hot. Many people speak English and the dress is casual. It is the only democratic country in the Middle East and offers history, culture, food, and plenty of lively conversation.
Yes, Israel is safe. The Israel Tourism office answers the question this way:
Israel is constantly in the news, so it is not surprising that we are often asked by potential visitors about safety and security. Here are some facts to consider:
- Each year, a increasing number of people come to Israel. In 2012, close to 4 million tourists visited, and all of them returned home safe and sound. Every year, more Americans vacation in Israel than in Thailand, New Zealand, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, South Africa and India – to name a few countries.
- Every day, as many as ten non-stop flights operate from the North America to Israel, and as many as ten fly back to North America from Tel Aviv. These flights are operated not only by our national airline, El Al, but also by Air Canada, Delta, United and US Airways, none of which would risk endangering their crews, their passengers or their aircraft by sending them into harm’s way.
- One of Israel’s biggest industries is tourism. The country is wide open to visitors, Americans and Canadians do not need a visa – travellers don’t even have to complete those annoying forms on the plane before landing.
- Objectively, a tourist injured (or worse) would be a public relations disaster for Israel. Thus it would make no sense for us to make the efforts we do to attract tourism, if visitors were likely to be in danger. Quite simply, if conditions were bad, we would ask you not to come.
- Life – and travel – in Israel is entirely normal. Every day, more than a million children go to school, millions of Israelis go to work, Israelis go to the movies, they go to shopping malls, they get married, they get divorced, they buy books, they go to the beach and museums and concerts, they pray in synagogues, churches and mosques – and visitors inevitably go home surprised, impressed and inspired. You can visit Israel Tourism’s website for more information.
What is the weather like in Israel in May?
It should be in the 20s Celsius and mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit with very slight chances of rain.
What is a kibbutz?
Traditionally, a kibbutz was a collective agricultural community in Israel based on socialist values. Today, these communities still exist as small rural developments. Some have built hotels and B&B’s as a source of revenue. As many kibbutzim are located on beautiful land, this makes for a great setting for some casual and traditional Israeli experiences.
What is the difference between the 3-, 4- and 5-star accommodations?
Generally, the hotel industry in the middle east has slightly lower standards than North America. Five stars would be comparable to a 4-star, 4-stars closer to a 3½ star, and 3-stars, 2½. The 3-stars would be clean, spacious, and offer air conditioning and private showers and toilets.
Can I participate in the Festival and then travel or visit friends on my own?
Of course! Feel free to travel the country however you prefer.
Is there a minimum amount of money I must raise in order to participate in the Festival?
Dragon boat festivals are lots of fun and we are looking forward to introducing the sport to Israel, but we can’t forget that a crucial element of dragon boat festivals is fundraising for charity. We encourage everyone to raise money for the worthy causes that have been selected, but it is NOT mandatory with regard to your participation.
Dragon Boat Israel 