CCSS is participating this year at the The Kaiser Permanente San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival, opening at Treasure Island Saturday/Sunday, August 27-28. Spearheaded by the California Dragon Boat  Association for the 10th year, the festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with  cultural performances & entertainment, Asian food, arts & crafts vendors, and Dragon Land, an exciting children's area with fun-filled activities. Taomist monks will conduct the opening ceremonies with lion dancing and the traditional "dotting of the dragon eye." Festival admission is free.

Races involving world-class dragon boat competition with close to 100 teams begins at 8:30 a.m. Among the novice teams entered is CCSS' own Delta Dragons, headed by Francis Lau. Mabel Morodomi, as drummer, will set the pace for the two dozen team members who have been practicing for the past three Saturdays in anticipation of the coming weekend's race

Members of the CCSS family are joined on the team by rowers from the Stockton Rowing Club. Among the CCSS members and friends paddling on the Delta Dragons team are Kan Cheung, Rene & Michael Fong, Rick & Lynette Grippi, Bing Hui, Gladys Ikeda, Kathy Ikeda, Darryl Ko, Patrick Lau, Amy Lau, Francis Lau, Joseph Li, Mabel Morodomi, Ray Tom and Jeri Wong. SRC members are Tracy Almarez, KC Biederman, Eden Crane, Jennifer Faukner, Ashley Lee, Carol McCandless, Bob Oprandy, Paula Sheil, and Pat Tirone.

Come bring the family and cheer on the Delta Dragons to the finish line. Don't blink or you'll lose them...the race over the 500 meter course is over in two minutes, more or less!

But the Delta Dragon paddlers, ranging in age from 18 to 69, call it an exhilarating two minutes. And they'll do it at least three times-four, if they're successful in the early races. For more information, log on to sfdragonboat.com or contact Francis Lau or Gladys Ikeda.