Dozens of dragon boat crews competed on Lake Merritt this weekend as part of the Oakland Dragon
Boat Festival.
The two-day festival drew teams from across the western United States--serving as regional championships for the Pacific Dragon Boat Association.
The boats are colorfully decorated with a carved dragon's head at the bow, a tail in the stern and scales painted along the hull. The dragon's claws are the 20 paddlers.
Winners of the six age divisions now advance to the world championships next year in Ravenna, Italy.
