Dragboat races to benefit city

Dragboat racing returns to Demopolis this weekend, bringing with it good family fun and an economic shot in the arm for the city.

Rumble on the River June 13 and 14 is the first competition of the year for the Outboard Dragboat Racing Association (ODBA) circuit and the second annual to be held in Demopolis.

“I’m hoping it’ll happen every year,” said Walker Reynolds, director of the city’s Park and Recreation Department.

Some 50 boats are registered to compete in the different categories of quarter-mile racing. All events will be held along the Tombigbee River between the pavilion at the City Landing and the water tower.

Admission to the event is $10 per person, with children under 4 free. All coolers, no matter what size, are $10 each as well. However, food vendors will be on hand.

Reynolds said this is a great family event and a chance to enjoy a sporting event, which has been lacking during the coronavirus pandemic. He encouraged people to bring tents and stay all day. Competition begins at 11 a.m. Saturday and noon on Sunday.

Last year was Reynolds’ first time seeing dragboat racing. “It was pretty neat seeing the boats,” he said, but was surprised at how loud they were.

For safety’s sake, ODBA brings its own dive crew in case of an accident, and an ambulance, rescue team and water patrol will be on hand as well.

For the 2019 event some 700 people attended the races each day. Reynolds hopes that number or more will show up riverside this weekend. While admission fees should help the Park and Rec Department break even in costs, the greatest benefit to the city will be the number of people staying in local hotels and patronizing local restaurants and shops, he said.

“Just about every boat has five or six people“ in its crew, said Reynolds.

He said the event is getting a great deal of support from Young Demopolis. The group’s members will be on hand to remind spectators of the social distancing requirement during the time of the COVID-19 crisis.