A Gorgeous Weekend at the Dragonboat Races in Defereggental, Tyrol, Austria
Report by Svenja Franke Bruhn.
IPCPC National Representative Germany and Country Liaison Austria.
I've reported on this unique event in the Alps several times before. Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2023, it's been known as the highest Dragonboat race in the world. Though it may not hold that title forever, it will undoubtedly remain a beloved destination in Europe.
The Vienna Pink Dragons have been regular participants over the years. Initially, they paddled with their supporters, the Vienna Dragons, before forming their own breast cancer survivor team and attracting other pink teams to join. Teams primarily come from Germany, likely because the boats are transported annually by the Ruhrwacht in Mülheim, Germany, all the way to Austria. The collaboration between them and local organizers, particularly Monika Kleinlercher, has made the races on the beautiful Obersee, at an altitude of 2020 meters near the Italian border, very popular.
For the Vienna Pink Dragons, participating has become a tradition. Even in 2020, when races were cancelled due to COVID-19, they still came and enjoyed a beautiful long hike.
Although the Vienna Pink Dragons couldn't participate this year, I decided to go anyway. I love the races set against the stunning backdrop of the Alps, with the famous alpine rose just starting to paint the hills in bright red and pink. The scenery is breathtaking, the air crisp, the free-grazing cows friendly, and the camaraderie among teams delightful. Even in competition, there's always a place in a boat if the home team isn't there.
This year, I had the pleasure of supporting one of the newest IBCPC members from Germany, a few breast cancer paddlers from Trier. Many volunteers were eager to help us, and we formed a cheerful composite team “Pink Paddler Trier” for the three 250m races. Our enthusiastic caller was a paddler from Leipzig, proudly wearing the shirt of her local pink team: “Pink Dragons Leipzig”.
Since a traditional flower ceremony isn't possible on the lake, we were treated to gorgeous little bouquets made of typical local plants: alpine rose and native pine.
Each participating team received a beautiful trophy during the joyful prize-giving ceremony at the lake's edge. I hope to return in 2025, looking forward to reuniting with old friends and making new ones.
The next event will be on July 5, 2025. For more information, please visit www.drachenboot-rennen.info or email mail@drachenboot-rennen.info.
There's also a lovely film about the event's history with pictures from this year, available in German: https://youtu.be/z_V9yrf5ZpY.
