Who We Are
We are the Eastern Regional Dragon Boat Association (ERDBA), a region of the United States Dragon Boat Federation (USDBF).
The official international organizing body for the sport of dragon boating is the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), a member of the IOC-recognized SportAccord (formerly General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF)). The Pan American Dragon Boat Federation (PADBF), one of the IDBFs continental representatives, oversees the sport in the Pan American region, namely: South America (Zone I); Mexico, Central America, The Antilles and Bermuda (Zone 2); United States of America (Zone III); and Canada (Zone IV).
The US representative to the PADBF, and official governing body for the United States, is the United States Dragon Boat Federation (USDBF). Like the PADBF, the USDBF has four regions:
Founded in 1997, the ERDBA is a 501(c)3, non-profit charitable organization committed to promoting the sport and culture of dragon boating in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The official international organizing body for the sport of dragon boating is the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF), a member of the IOC-recognized SportAccord (formerly General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF)). The Pan American Dragon Boat Federation (PADBF), one of the IDBFs continental representatives, oversees the sport in the Pan American region, namely: South America (Zone I); Mexico, Central America, The Antilles and Bermuda (Zone 2); United States of America (Zone III); and Canada (Zone IV).
The US representative to the PADBF, and official governing body for the United States, is the United States Dragon Boat Federation (USDBF). Like the PADBF, the USDBF has four regions:
- Pacific Dragon Boat Association (PDBA)–west coast
- American Dragon Boat Association (ADBA)–central US
- Eastern Regional Dragon Boat Association (ERDBA)–northeast
- Southeastern Regional Dragon Boat Association (SRDBA)–southeast.
Founded in 1997, the ERDBA is a 501(c)3, non-profit charitable organization committed to promoting the sport and culture of dragon boating in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Committees
ERDBA members are encouraged to actively participate in the organization by serving on its committees. For more information on any particular committee or to join one, please contact the ERDBA secretary.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee is charged with the timely dissemination of all relevant communications, both internal and external, to the membership and the community at large. It serves as a tool for promoting the ERDBA mission, specifically in enhancing the experience of member individuals, clubs and festivals, and promoting the sport of dragon boat.
Communication channels include email, the ERDBA website, Facebook and other social media accounts as determined by the Board of Directors.
Education & Advocacy Committee
The purpose of the Education & Advocacy Committee is to further the ERDBA's missions as it pertains to: promoting the sport and culture of dragon boating; Following the guidelines as set by the USDB; Conducting or aiding in the conducting of national
and international amateur competitions in dragon boating; Supporting the development of amateur athletes for national and international amateur dragon boat competition and; Supporting the USDBF in carrying out these purposes on a nationwide basis.
Fundraising Committee
The Fundraising Committee seeks to raise funds to enable coaching workshops, a variety of training clinics (e.g. paddling, steering, drumming); sponsoring ERDBA dragon boat camp(s); a regional ERDBA championship and; scholarships for youth and national teams. Fundraising is through a number of avenues, including festivals, an annual indoor regatta, special events, and corporate sponsorship.
Festival Committee
Three years ago the Festival Committee was charged with answering the question, “is paying a membership fee all that is needed to be an ERDBA sanctioned festival . . . or should something more be required?” The Committee answered that the answer to both questions was “YES.” The Committee then worked together to develop fourteen (14) standards that should define an what it means to be an ERDBA Sanctioned Festival.” The standards are designed to create standardized racing and safety protocols that help festival organizers produce quality events. The long term goal is to make the term “ERDBA Sanctioned Festival” meaningful so that paddlers planning on attending an ERDBA event can anticipate a safe environment and fair racing standards.
In subsequent years the Committee has reviewed the fourteen standards and has recommended needed changes. The Committee is also exploring ways to develop a compendium of “best practices” that might assist newer festivals improve their event. Other ideas currently being considered is an annual “Festival Forum” and/or a video that highlights some of the more successful practices employed by festivals in the ERDBA region and beyond.
Race Committee
The purpose of the Race Committee, made up of ERDBA members, is to provide fair and competitive racing to our ERDBA Membership. The committee is charged with laying out rules and regulations to be set forth for vote by the Executive Committee.
The committee is also charged with development of an annual ERDBA Regional Championship. For odd number years, the Regional Championship is held as the qualifier for the USDBF CCWC berth.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee is charged with the timely dissemination of all relevant communications, both internal and external, to the membership and the community at large. It serves as a tool for promoting the ERDBA mission, specifically in enhancing the experience of member individuals, clubs and festivals, and promoting the sport of dragon boat.
Communication channels include email, the ERDBA website, Facebook and other social media accounts as determined by the Board of Directors.
Education & Advocacy Committee
The purpose of the Education & Advocacy Committee is to further the ERDBA's missions as it pertains to: promoting the sport and culture of dragon boating; Following the guidelines as set by the USDB; Conducting or aiding in the conducting of national
and international amateur competitions in dragon boating; Supporting the development of amateur athletes for national and international amateur dragon boat competition and; Supporting the USDBF in carrying out these purposes on a nationwide basis.
Fundraising Committee
The Fundraising Committee seeks to raise funds to enable coaching workshops, a variety of training clinics (e.g. paddling, steering, drumming); sponsoring ERDBA dragon boat camp(s); a regional ERDBA championship and; scholarships for youth and national teams. Fundraising is through a number of avenues, including festivals, an annual indoor regatta, special events, and corporate sponsorship.
Festival Committee
Three years ago the Festival Committee was charged with answering the question, “is paying a membership fee all that is needed to be an ERDBA sanctioned festival . . . or should something more be required?” The Committee answered that the answer to both questions was “YES.” The Committee then worked together to develop fourteen (14) standards that should define an what it means to be an ERDBA Sanctioned Festival.” The standards are designed to create standardized racing and safety protocols that help festival organizers produce quality events. The long term goal is to make the term “ERDBA Sanctioned Festival” meaningful so that paddlers planning on attending an ERDBA event can anticipate a safe environment and fair racing standards.
In subsequent years the Committee has reviewed the fourteen standards and has recommended needed changes. The Committee is also exploring ways to develop a compendium of “best practices” that might assist newer festivals improve their event. Other ideas currently being considered is an annual “Festival Forum” and/or a video that highlights some of the more successful practices employed by festivals in the ERDBA region and beyond.
Race Committee
The purpose of the Race Committee, made up of ERDBA members, is to provide fair and competitive racing to our ERDBA Membership. The committee is charged with laying out rules and regulations to be set forth for vote by the Executive Committee.
The committee is also charged with development of an annual ERDBA Regional Championship. For odd number years, the Regional Championship is held as the qualifier for the USDBF CCWC berth.
header photo credit: rafael veve