Dragon race for charity

Dragon race for charity - A group of people on a boat in the water - Dragon boat
The Tropical Depression team is ready to rumble.

Annual event at Sombrero Beach

Twelve teams of locals and visitors came together at Sombrero Beach last Saturday to raise funds for The Heron and WestCare, organizations that provides services and support for low-income residents who have been diagnosed with mental illness.

The 40-foot-long racing “dragons” are propelled by a team of 20 along a 400-meter racecourse parallel to the beach. Four of the teams were semi-professional groups from the mainland — Wun Fun Puff won first place overall. And about eight local teams also competed with The Conch Republic Navy, headed by veterinarian Dr. Gerry Diethelm, taking top honors.

 

Sara Matthis thinks community journalism is important, but not serious; likes weird and wonderful children (she has two); and occasionally tortures herself with sprint-distance triathlons, but only if she has a good chance of beating her sister.