Dragons Spotted at Beyenburg Reservoir
Get ready for some ruckus at the serene Beyenburger Stausee, as the highly anticipated Dragon Boat Festival is about to hit the waters! Although the festival has only been canceled twice in recent years—due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and a charity regatta in 2021—this year, things are looking even more promising.
With registration numbers soaring to new heights, Lara Ehlis from the Wuppertal Canoe Sports Club (VfK) reported, "We're nearly fully booked, with barely a spot left for the smaller boats." A whopping 29 teams will embark on the competition on Saturday, with 15 battling it out in the large boat class (20 paddlers each) and 14 in the small boats (10 paddlers each). Two teams of apprentices will also compete in their separate category. This event will bring together veteran paddlers as well as complete newbies.
The racing begins at 11 am, and the award ceremony is expected at 6 pm. Teams will go head-to-head in four races over the course of the day, with three boats starting simultaneously on the 200-meter course. The finish line is conveniently located near the VfK clubhouse, offering an excellent vantage point for spectators on the club's lawn. As Lara Ehlis puts it, "It's always a spectacular scene to witness so many dragon boat teams in action."
For those who prefer not to drive, worry not! The historic Schienenbus train of the Wuppertalbahn will be running from Oberbarmen to Beyenburg on Friday and Saturday.
Despite the buzz about this year's Dragon Boat Festival, it's essential to note that, from the information available, there seems to be no official or large-scale festival scheduled for Wuppertal, Germany in 2022. However, if you're keen on catching a dragon boat festival in the area, look for event announcements from local organizers or city tourism boards, or check out similar events in nearby cities like Düsseldorf, Cologne, or Dortmund. And remember, Wuppertal is well-served by public transport, making it a breeze to attend events in the region if they're not held locally.
Football enthusiasts might find a refreshing break from the competition at the serene Beyenburger Stausee, as the Dragon Boat Festival approaches. Even though football isn't traditionally on the agenda, the energy and camaraderie among the 29 dragon boat teams could draw some striking parallels to a spirited game of football.
