Marriage to the Sea

The Los Angeles Pink Dragons joined in the first annual Long Beach Sensa – “a marriage to the sea” and the first Vogalonga – a regatta and race allowing only human-powered boats which followed the ceremony.

As we paddled out from Mother’s Beach through the morning fog towards the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, we came upon kayaks, stand-up paddlers, and of course, the fleet of Gondolas from Gondola Getwaway who organized the celebration.  We all sat silently on the water with great respect for each other and witnessed the “Marriage to the Sea” ceremony, which was symbolized by a gold ring being tossed into the water along with prayers from a church leader.

Once the ceremony concluded, we all slapped the water with our paddles, hollered “Sensa 2017” and began the Vogalonga” regatta, following the Gondolas and all the other human-powered watercraft that also participated.  We paddled around Naples Island singing the only Italian song we knew the few words to while under the bridges, and challenged the gondaliers to a race (which of course never happened!).

The whole event concluded with a delicious pasta luncheon at the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club.  Food was provided courtesy of several restaurants on Second Street.

The Pinks were the only dragon boat team that participated this year and we felt privileged to represent the dragon boat community.  We also enjoyed having some paddlers from the Space Dragons and X-Generals to help round out our boat for team Sensa 2017.

A big thank you to Dr. Chen for making it possible for the Pinks to take out one of the beautiful new dragon boats that Sunday, and be part of this new Long Beach celebration.  Long Beach was married to the sea on May 21, 2017 and now has new friendship status with Venice, Italy.  The Pinks were honored to participate.

“Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto” – Eat well, laugh often, love much.