FDNY Dragon Boat team trains hard for upcoming races
Christie M Farriella/for New York Daily News Members
of the New York City Fire Department Dragon Boat racing team practice
at Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. They are one of 180-plus
teams participating in the annual tournament and festival. New York’s Bravest, gearing up for the 24th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival this weekend, have spent the last few months practicing on Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
They will go paddle to paddle with teams from the Police Department and other agencies to vie for the Municipal Cup as well as other races in the two-day tournament.
“We do have a stressful job, and this is something to do to get our minds off it,” said Ludmila Muller, a 22-year-old paramedic who leads the Fire Department’s team, “The department is a big place. This also gives us a chance to meet each other.”
The grueling practice sessions often take place after long overnight shifts, or they’re squeezed in before day shifts, Muller said.
The FDNY Team, which includes firefighters, paramedics, EMS workers and other people who work in the department, has three crews: the all-men’s crew called “Fire,” the all-women’s crew named “Ice,” and the co-ed crew titled “Steam.”
The diverse team includes Asian, African-American, Russian and Latino members.
Getting 12 paddlers to synchronize their rapid rowing to guide a 40-foot wooden boat is the toughest part, Muller said.
More than 180 teams will participate in the centuries-old Chinese tradition on Friday and Saturday. Spectators can also enjoy food, crafts and live entertainment.
The tournament attracts about 50,000 people annually.
For more information go www.hkdbf-ny.org
lcolangelo@nydailynews.com
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