7Th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships

CALIFORNIA DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION

7TH ANNUAL NORTHERN CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT CHAMPIONSHIPS

2002 SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE CALIFORNIA DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION 2002 Sponsorship 7th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships

Table of Contents

What is Dragon Boat Racing?...... 2

The CDBA and Dragon Boating in the Bay Area...... 3

The CDBA Youth Program...... 6

The 7th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships...... 9

Why Sponsor?...... 11

Sponsorship Levels and Benefits...... 13

Contact Information...... 14

2 CALIFORNIA DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION 2002 Sponsorship 7th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships What is Dragon Boat Racing?

ragon boat racing is one of the earliest known forms of boat racing and is celebrated at festivals and races throughout the world. This mythical celebration is a symbol of Chinese culture and spirit and is one of Dthe three largest Chinese festivals of the year. The roots of dragon boating go back over 2000 years to China’s southern provinces when Qu Yuan, a scholar and advisor to the emperor of the Chu kingdom, jumped into the Mei Lo (Mi Luo) River in despair and protest of the corrupt government. According to legend, local fishermen, raced out with their boats in an attempt to save him. To prevent his body from being eaten by the fish and “water dragons”, they beat their drums and pounded the waters with their paddles and threw rice dumplings wrapped in silk into the river to distract the dragons away from Qu Yuan’s body. Dragon boat racing evolved from the re-enactment of this legend at annual festivals.

A dragon boat is a large canoe-like craft made from wood or fiberglass that is colorfully painted and decorated with a dragon’s head on the front and a dragon’s tail on the back. It seats a crew of 20 paddlers, plus a steersperson and a drummer.

It is easy to see why dragon boating is one of the fastest growing sports the world. It is truly an impressive site to see an elaborately adorned dragon boat surging towards the finish line with its engine of twenty paddlers pull- ing hard with every stroke in perfect unison to the drummer’s beat and calls of the steersperson. Combine the competition and excitement of the races with the fun and atmosphere of the cultural festivities that typically occur at a dragon boat festival and you have a great event for participants and spectators of all ages.

Within the last 25 years this has become a globally celebrated tradition, and dragon boat races are now held in over 40 countries around the world from February to October. Dragon boat racing is also being considered as a demonstration sport for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Dragon Boating in North America

Here in North America, the largest festival on the West Coast in Vancouver, BC typically attracts 170 to 190 teams, and a similar sized festival in Toronto draws over 250,000 spectators during the race weekend! Dragon boating is still relatively new to the United States but is growing quickly. It is estimated that there are over 40 annual festivals held across the US including major cities such as New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Last year, the Dragon Boat World Championships, which hosted teams from over 20 countries, were held in Philadelphia in August 2001.

3 CALIFORNIA DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION 2002 Sponsorship 7th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships The California Dragon Boat Association

ragon boating has been part of the Bay Area cultural and athletic scene for the past seven years. The growth of the sport has been largely due to the efforts of the California Dragon Boat Association (CDBA), Dthe organizer of the 7th Annual 2002 Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships.

The CDBA is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization that was formed in 1996 to promote the growth and development of dragon boating in the Bay Area. It is the largest dragon boating organization in the Bay Area. The CDBA, along with Self-Help for the Elderly, purchased the first dragon boats and organized the first international dragon boat race in 1996.

The CDBA’s objectives are as follows:

- To provide education and instruction to the general public in dragon boating. - To foster, conduct, and aid in conducting national and international amateur dragon boat competitions. - To sponsor, promote, or facilitate local public events and races involving dragon boating. - To promote Chinese cultural education, diversity enhancement, and low cost community sports and exercise. - To provide for youth programs centered on paddling activities and leadership. - To enhance bonding and interaction between different ethnic and cultural groups locally, nationally, and internationally. - To develop amateur athletes for national and international dragon boat competitions. - To provide charitable assistance to non-profit and elderly organizations with respect to activities involving dragon boating. - To maintain facilities and equipment for dragon boating instruction, practice, and competition.

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CDBA Achievements and Growth in Dragon Boating in the Bay Area

Since its inception in 1996, the CDBA board and membership have taken tremendous steps in growing the sport of dragon boating in the Bay Area.

- Through fundraising and member contributions, the CDBA now owns a total of eight dragon boats, four Hong Kong boats and four Buk boats from Germany (the new international standard). - The CDBA currently operates three practice sites spread throughout the Bay Area - Lake Merced in San Francisco, Bair Island Aquatic Center (BIAC) in Redwood City, and Lake Del Valle in Livermore. The CDBA will also be opening a new site in Berkeley in July. - The CDBA membership continues to grow every year as the sport attracts new paddlers. There are currently nine year-round teams (seven adult and two youth teams) and close to 300 members in the CDBA. Membership grows at a rate of approximately 20 percent annually. - The CDBA now puts on three races every year - the CDBA Local Dragon Boat Race, the Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships, and for the first time this year, the CDBA Youth Race. - The CDBA has established a youth program that promotes high school dragon boat teams around the Bay Area. - CDBA teams are now practicing year round and are becoming increasingly competi- tive at races held throughout the world. Several CDBA teams frequently receive medals for their accomplishments at races held throughout the United States and Canada. - Teams and members of the CDBA are participating in cultural exchange races internationally. For the past two years, CDBA members raced as part of a Triple Dragon Festival in China race. This year, CDBA teams are traveling to Taiwan and Japan to compete, and next year, there are plans to travel to Russia and Aus- tralia for international competitions. In return, the CDBA invites teams from overseas to participate in the international championships. - The CDBA has continued to improve upon the cultural component of dragon boating, both in its year-round program, youth program, and in the festival. This year, the CDBA will be partnering with the Chinese Culture Center during the festival. The CDBA continues its alliance with Self-Help for the Elderly to put on the cultural festival in conjunction with the international race.

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Who are CDBA member paddlers?

Dragon boating is an accessible sport that reaches all parts of the community. While it takes years to become an expert paddler, it only takes minutes to learn enough to paddle in a novice race. As a result, the CDBA membership is diverse and comes from all ages, from high school students to seniors. They are spread throughout five Bay Area counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara. Members include youth, working professionals, families who participate together, and members of civic organizations. CDBA paddlers range from athletes who train for triathlons and marathons to people with no previous athletic background. They work in industries from healthcare to high tech, and from grassroots non-profit organizations to corporate law firms. The CDBA members are from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and there is a strong representation from the Asian American community due to the cultural roots of dragon boating.

The 2002 CDBA Board

President - Brian Danforth Vice President - Hans Wu Treasurer - Ken Hong Secretary - Paula Wong Chuck Chen Linda Cheu Russell Wadbrook Jason Yee CDBA Teams AquAssassins DieselFish Dragon Warriors Lightwave Ripple Effect Team Evolution WeBe Dragon/AT&T CDBA Youth Teams

Lincoln High School Lowell High School

6 CALIFORNIA DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION 2002 Sponsorship 7th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships The CDBA Youth Program

igh school youth have been involved in CDBA dragon boat races since the early years of the sport. In 1996, two high school teams, Lincoln High School and Washington High School, competed in the First HAnnual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships. That first year, the Lincoln team only had one practice, and the Washington Team did not have any practices - they just showed up at the races and paddled. However, the youth program has grown considerably since that time. In 1997, there were eight participating youth high school teams who practiced three times each. Last year, there were 12 youth teams with access to an unlimited number of practices. This year, there will be 16 teams competing in the Championships, and two teams have joined the CDBA as youth member teams and practice year round. Unlimited practices for the youth teams are now possible due to the expanded CDBA infrastructure. This year featured the First Annual CDBA Youth Dragon Boat Competition, held in April at Lake Merced in San Francisco. For the first time, CDBA high school youth will travel abroad to participate in dragon boating - several students from the Lowell High School team traveled as part of a Bay Area team to Taiwan to compete in an international dragon boat competition. Program Background and Structure The youth program was started by the initiative of Bob Leung, a teacher at Lincoln High School who was also involved in one of the CDBA teams. He is currently the director of the CDBA Youth Program. Teachers at local Bay Area high schools play an important role in organizing the teams at high schools and serving as advisors to the students. At some high schools, the teams are organized as dragon boat clubs, while at other high schools, the teams are integrated into already existing Asian American or outdoor clubs. Parents also play a key role, assisting with transportation, provision of food on race day, photography, and with other volunteer activities.

The CDBA Youth Program is open to all schools and youth groups. The race entry fee is heavily subsidized through CDBA fundraising - the race fee for youth teams is only $250 per team, which includes CDBA membership, access to practice facilities and boats, and certified coaching, steering, and drumming. Typical membership fees for most CDBA teams usually range from $1,800 to $5,000, depending upon the size of the team. To date, the CDBA Youth Program has a perfect safety record.

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Participating Teams

Over the years, more than 20 schools and approximately 450 paddlers have participated in CDBA races. Participating schools are located throughout the Bay Area and include the following: In San Francisco: Abraham Lincoln High School Burton High School Community Youth Center (formerly Chinatown Youth Center) George Washington High School Lick Wilmerding High School Lincoln High School (two teams) Lowell High School (two teams) St. Ignatius High School Thurgood Marhsall High School Washington High School

On the Peninsula: Aragon High School Bay Area Dragons Youth Team (mixed Peninsula after school program) Carlmont High School Crystal Springs High School Hillsdale High School Menlo High School Mills High School San Mateo High School

In the East Bay: Alameda High School Oakland High School Piedmont High School

Over 400 youth paddlers were involved in last year’s international race, and with the expansion of the youth component in this year’s championships, there are likely to be close to 500 youth participating this year.

“It’s indescribable to witness the sense of achievement and pride of these kids as they cross the finish line or do well in a time trial. They really support each other. It’s more than just a sport to the kids - they have to learn how to maintain discipline in the boat during races and in practices. Most importantly, they learn the value of working together and of being part of a team and community. All it takes is one person paddling faster or slower than the others to slow down the boat and lose a race, so they have to learn how to value their differences and find common ground.” - Bob Leung, CDBA Youth Program Director and Lincoln High School Teacher

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Positive Impact of Dragon Boating for Youth The positive impact of dragon boating for youth reaches far beyond the obvious benefit of fitness and exercise. In addition to being the ultimate team sport and accessible to youth of all athletic abilities, dragon boating also teaches values such sportsmanship, discipline, competition, teamwork and perseverance. Youth also develop leadership skills as they take on various positions within their team. Some of the more experienced youth have also gotten involved in coaching as assistant coaches, steerspersons and drummers. Many graduates of youth dragon boat teams have gone on to start other teams in colleges. For example, the former captain of the San Mateo High school team went on to form the Cal Paddling Bears. Lowell dragon boat alumni have formed a team called the Sea Monkeys, and alumni from Lincoln have resurrected the Chinatown Leo’s (affiliated with the Lion’s Club) team. Outside the boat, CDBA Youth paddlers volunteer many hours helping the CDBA and CDBA affiliated charities.

Dragon boating is an ideal sport for high school youth since it is safe, does not require tremendous athletic activ- ity, and promotes community building and teamwork. Five-Year Plan and Goals for the CDBA Youth Dragon Boat Program

Demand for youth dragon boat teams from high schools and community youth groups has increased considerably in the past few years. Due to the increased number of practice sites and CDBA members who volunteer as steerspersons, drummers, and coaches, the CDBA will be able to continue the expansion of the youth program well into the future. In the next five years, the CDBA is planning to work towards the following goals: - Continue to expand the youth program at a rate of four to five teams per year. Expansion will be focused in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara Counties to maximize the utilization of new CDBA practice sites. - Develop a CDBA youth council comprised of youth, parents, and teachers that will assist in race planning as well as development of the youth program. - Create a college scholarship program that awards youth involved in dragon boating for leadership, community service, and academics. - Increase opportunities for youth teams to travel both within the United States and internationally to better participate in the cultural exchange component of dragon boating. - Make dragon boating an official school sanctioned sport in at least one ortwo school districts.

9 CALIFORNIA DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION 2002 Sponsorship 7th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships 7th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships

eld annually since 1996, the Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships have cap- tured the imagination of the San Francisco Bay Area community with its innovative format, attractive Hvenue, and action-packed race excitement. The Championships benefit Self-Help for the Elderly, a non- profit organization serving 25,000 seniors throughout San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties with valuable health care and support programs. In 1998, Self-Help for the Elderly partnered with the California Dragon Boat Association in bringing the Championships to Foster City, California, earning unanimous praise from paddlers and spectators alike.

“We always have a wonderful time participating in the Northern Califor- nia International Dragon Boat Championships. We wish to applaud you for organizing such an excellent event!” -Fred Roman, Captain of the Vancouver Flying Dragons

Annually since 1996, between 1,500 and 2,000 paddlers from between 55 to 65 teams participate in the Champi- onships and are typically joined by between 10,000 to 12,000 spectators over a 2-day period. Teams from China, Philippines, and Europe have participated as part of the cultural exchange component of the race.

In 2001, the CDBA brought the International Championships to an exciting new venue. The race was held at San Francisco’s Lake Merced, a venue that will allow the race to expand even further in future years. This year, dragon boating returns to the San Francisco Area with high expectations for the 7th Annual Championships. New and returning local, national, and international teams will add to a growing local list of corporate, civic, educa- tional, non-profit, and athletic groups that are expected to participate in the Fall Classic.

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Highlights for the 2002 Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships

- The number of participating teams will be expanded to the highest ever with 70 to 90 teams from around the world. - The presence of visiting teams will be increased. The CDBA is actively working with other international dragon boat associations to extend invitations to teams from around the world, continuing the level of cultural exchange that is fundamental to dragon boating. - The number of youth high school teams will be increased to the highest ever with 16 teams, reflecting the growth of the CDBA youth program. - Self-Help for the Elderly will continue to hold the “Taste of Asia” culinary and cultural festival in conjunction with the race. - The “Big Race” between UC Berkeley and Stanford teams will be expanded to include other Bay Area colleges for a “College Cup” Championship. - The cultural heritage component of the festival will be strengthened through the CDBA’s part nership with the Chinese Culture Center in San Francisco’s Chinatown. The Chinese Culture Center is working with monks from local monasteries to perform the traditional opening ceremonies. The Center is also planning for a cultural education program that might cover topics such as the cultural roots of the dragon boat festival, how to make zhongzi (the sticky rice culinary treat that is traditionally eaten during the dragon boat festival), and dragon boat art.

11 CALIFORNIA DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION 2002 Sponsorship 7th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships Why should you be a Sponsor for the 7th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat Championships?

- Gain widespread exposure for your company. The International Dragon Boat Championships are the largest multicultural athletic event in the Bay Area and are also a major Asian American community event. The CDBA dragon boat race has previously been attended by between 10,000 and 12,000 spectators, and this year will feature the highest number of teams, paddlers, and spectators ever, with an expected 15,000 spectators. The race receives media coverage including both English and Chinese television, radio, and print, and is advertised at business establishments, community and civic cen- ters, and other public places throughout the Bay Area. Bay Area public officials such as San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and Supervisor Leland Yee have also attended the races. - Provide support for youth development in the Bay Area. As part of the CDBA Youth Program, this race will feature a youth race track for 16 high school teams that have been practicing for several months prior to the race. Dragon boat training and racing promotes values of sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, and perseverance in the participating youth, and the race is an important part of the CDBA Youth Program. - Support Bay Area elderly. The CDBA will donate a portion of race proceeds to Self-Help for the Elderly, a Chinatown based organization serving elderly Chinese throughout the Bay Area. - Promote Asian American cultural heritage. This is an important festival in the Asian American community and one of the only athletic events in the Bay Area that combines multicultural education with exciting sports competition. The festival component and certain parts of the race are deeply rooted in Chinese traditions. - Be part of one of the fastest growing sports in the Bay Area. Dragon boating is one of the most exciting sports from a spectator standpoint and is also rapidly growing in popularity in the Bay Area. It is the ultimate team sport and is accessible to anyone. Sponsoring the race is an opportunity to help shape the development and growth of a new sport in the Bay Area. - Foster international cultural exchange. Dragon boating is part of a worldwide movement, and cultural exchange is one of the fundamental principles of the sport. - Provide a team building opportunity for your company. Most sponsorship levels include an opportunity for you to develop your own dragon boating team, with coaching, steering and organizational assistance provided by the CDBA.

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Previous Sponsors

Applied Biosystems AT&T Bank of America Bank of Canton Black Mountain Spring Water Branders Cathay Pacific Airways Charles Schwab ClifBar DisCopyLabs Doc Martens Esprit The Good Guys! Lawrence Livermore National Labs LeeMAH Electronics Merrill Lynch Oracle Pacific Bell PG&E Safeway Salomon Smith Barney Sandia National Labs Triton Container United Way Wells Fargo Bank Wildflower Café Media Sponsors

AsianAvenue.com Asian Week CitySearch7 Fox Channel 2 KTVU-TV KRON-TV Channel 4 (Bay TV) KTSF-TV Channel 26 The San Jose Mercury News S.F. Chinese Radio Sing Tao Daily News World Channel Inc.

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Sponsorship Levels and Benefits Levels of Sponsorship Title Sponsor - contribution of $7,500 and up Event Sponsor - contribution of $5,000 to $7,499 Event Supporter - contribution $2,500 to $4,999 Event Contributor - under $2,500 Benefits of Sponsorship

Title Sponsor Benefits 1. Top billing as Title Sponsor in the race promotional material, press releases, in all race advertising in both mainstream and Asian media (see list of past Media Sponsors above), in the event program, t-shirt (assuming deadline is met) and on the CDBA web site. 2. Naming of key championship finals of your choice after the sponsor (e.g. the XYZ Youth High School Championships) listed in race program and all promotional materials. 3. Right to have sponsor name and logo prominently displayed on two dragon boats (one in each of the two sets of boats) for the race weekend. 4. Top, prominent and frequent recognition by the event MCs at the pre-race party, during the race and during the event ceremonies. 5. Right to place large banners with top billing at the pre-race party and race event. 6. Right to place large information table or booth at prime locations at the pre-race party and race event. 7. Event exclusivity in your industry/product category. 8. “Official Product” billing in your industry/product category. 9. Full page ad in the official race program. 10. Sponsor’s invitation to the Team Kick-Off Party attended by over 500 paddlers and guests 11. One team entry into the Championships. This includes coaching, steering, and organizational assistance from the CDBA. Event Sponsor Benefits 1. Listing as an Event Sponsor on all press releases and advertisements in both mainstream and Asian media (see list of Media Sponsors above) in the event program, t-shirt (assuming deadline is met) and on the CDBA web site. 2. Naming of championships after Event Sponsor. 3. Sponsor’s invitation to the Team Kick-Off Party attended by over 500 paddlers and guests. 4. Prime table and banner space at the Team Kick-Off Party and at the race site. 5. Half page ad in the Official Race Program and recognition on the Official Website of the Championships. 6. One team entry into the Championships. This includes coaching, steering, and organizational assistance from the CDBA.

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Event Supporter Benefits 1. Listing as an Event Supporter on all press releases and advertisements in both mainstream and Asian media (see list of Media Sponsors above) in the event program, and on the CDBA web site. 2. Quarter page ad in the Official Race Program and recognition on the Official Website of the Championships. 3. One team entry into the Championships. This includes coaching, steering, and organizational assistance from the CDBA.

Event Contributor Benefits 1. Listing as an Event Contributor on all press releases and advertisements in both mainstream and Asian media (see list of Media Sponsors above) in the event program and on the CDBA web site. 2. Listing in the Official Race Program and recognition on the Official Website of the Cham- pionships.

Contact Information

or more information about sponsoring the 7th Annual Northern California International Dragon Boat FChampionships, please contact the CDBA:

Linda Cheu Sponsorship Director Work: 415-956-8152 x225 Mobile: 415-378-8858 E-mail: [email protected]