Chicago Dragon Boat Festival
WHAT A SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND!!!!
The weather held off and we raced our hearts out against some fabulous teams!!! We raced two 200 meter races and two 500 meter races. Naturally, other teams were younger, but we held our own and made them work for their wins! So excited to stay in with these younger teams and they are in awe of us as they should be.
200 meters: We took 5th in the 200’s overall. 3rd in the first heat and 2nd in our 2nd heat.
500 meters: We also took 5th in the 500’s but really shined! 1st in the 1st and 2nd heats. Had to surge at the end of the second race because one of those young whipper snapper teams was sneeking up fast on us thinking they were going to take us. But we held it and won by .02 seconds! You race the 1st race and are seated for the finals based on your times so we missed going for the medals, but….IT WAS AMAZING!!!
Tellico Heat placed 1st in the first of two heats in th 500m Sport Mixed category races, placing 5th overall. This time was over 10 second faster than last year’s time. 2025 Chicago Dragon Boat Festival at Busse Woods Preserve South Pool by GWN (Great White North) The Feature Video shows the last 250m of the exiting final race! Tellico Heat race team, along with paddlers from Kentucky and Chattanooga, put in the time and dedication to race preparation, trusted in the training process which yielded extraordinary results for our team. Heat 1 Results: Tellico Heat 1st place 2:31.52 Flying Ears 2nd place 2:33.00 Living Root 3rd place 2:34.68
Tellico Heat Wins Their Final 500m Race by .02 Seconds
Let’s Go Tellico Heat!! This journey wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of Rick Smenner from the Tellico Lake Home Team, who was the sponsor our boat for this exciting race weekend. Rick, thank you for believing in us and backing the heat. Your support means everything as we represented Tellico Lake on a national stage!
Be sure to scroll down to read an article from our team sponsor for the Chicago Festival race.
Capturing the Spirit of the Race
Festival Race Photo Gallery
Experience the Excitement: Festival Race Videos
Chicago Dragon Boat Festival Highlights
Trusting and Executing the Training Process Yields Exiting Results at Busse Woods Preserve
Tellico Heat Paddlers Send Love and Support from Home
As the anticpation of the first race was near, you could feel the excitement of the paddlers in the air. As paddlers in the first heat stretched, warmed up, and mentally prepared for the race set before them, supporters of the team who made the trek to Chicago were giving verbal affirmations of, “You’ve got this!” and staking out the best position to watch the race to capture the best photos and videos of the moment and that epic finish. LIttle did we know that as the team was called together, and last minute reminders from coaches on the race plan were given, back home in Tellico Village, another coach who stayed home to lead paddles for those not attending Chicago, had plans of her own. Afterall, it was Festival Day, and what do you do when you are Coach Denise? You send a beautiful photo taken in heartfelt support of your teammates in Chicago by making plans behind the scenes. The photo you see here, is the result of that effort, so perfectly named, “The Tunnel of Victory,” taken just moments before the first race! The love and support was felt all the way to Chicago! They must have sent some Tennessee wind beneath our paddles, beacuse in the final heat of the 500m, the team won the heat by just .02 seconds! It was the result of a team, coming together, putting in the work, trusing the process, and leaving it all out there! The team was screaming, The fans were screaming! It was epic. Video and photos don’t lie! It was the most exciting race I’ve seen! When Donna, our drummer, for the race looked over AFTER the finish line, she knew when all of us on the shoreline knew! You see, it’s so exiting and you are hyper-focused while in the middle of the race, and noise is coming from everywhere, that you don’t even know who won! The shrills of joy and delight gave me chills. The high-fives, the team spirit and the comraderie of the day brought more than one paddler and spectator to tears! Don’t think I didn’t hear, Coach Cat say with a smile, “There are no tears in Dragon Boat!” It just goes to show what Dragon Boat racing is, when after the race, the team that came in 2nd in your heat, wants to get a “family” photo at the end of the race. Flying Ears- Paddles Up to you! Thank you, Tellico Heat!
Tellico Heat placed 1st in the first of two heats in the 500m Sport Mixed category races, placing 5th overall. This time was over 10 second faster than last year’s time. 2025 Chicago Dragon Boat Festival at Busse Woods Preserve South Pool by GWN (Great White North) Video shows the last 250m of the exiting race! ! Heat 1 Results: Tellico Heat 1st place 2:31.52 Flying Ears 2nd place 2:33.00 Living Root 3rd place 2:34.68
Trusting and Executing the Training Process Yields Exiting Results at Busse Woods Preserve
Tellico Heat placed 1st in the first of two heats in th 500m Sport Mixed category races, placing 5th overall. This time was over 10 second faster than last year’s time. 2025 Chicago Dragon Boat Festival at Busse Woods Preserve South Pool by GWN (Great White North) Video shows the last 250m of the exiting race! Trusting the Training Yields Exiting Results:
Tellico Heat 1st place 2:31.52
Flying Ears 2nd place 2:33.00
Living Root 3rd place 2:34.68
Chicago Internation Dragon Boat Festival
The Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival returns for its 12th year, bringing together the thrill of high-performance racing and the rich heritage of dragon boat culture in one of the Midwest’s most scenic and accessible locations. Held at the stunning Busse Woods (Ned Brown Preserve)—just a short drive from downtown Chicago—this festival has become a standout on the Major League Dragon Boat (MLDB) circuit, attracting top-tier teams and spirited community crews from across the U.S. and Canada.
Nestled in the Schaumburg/Elk Grove area, the venue offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and urban convenience—an ideal stage for intense competition and community celebration.
Meet a Few of Our Race Team Members
Julie Walter
Captain and Port Paddler
Julie fulfilled her key role as Team Captain with precision and passion, ensuring every detail of the festival was communicated with the team. She said it was thrilling to be back in Chicago and race with Tellico Heat.
Dee Foster
Coach and Port Paddler
Julie fulfilled her key role as Team Captain with precision and passion, ensuring every detail of the festival was communicated with the team. She said it was thrilling to be back in Chicago and race with Tellico Heat.
Coach Cat
Starboard Paddler
Hard not to smile with such great camaraderie and sportsmanship. Truly a kindred sport!
Jodie Kelly
Pacer Paddler
We did some amazing things as a team today. We raced lengths that are not our norm (well, at least we thought they were not!). We trusted the process, we believed we could, and we did.
Kevin Kelly
Coach and Paddler
Coach Kelly had no words! Ok, not ture, but he had so many, it’s too difficult to contain how proud he was of this team. He did say that of all the races he’s been in over the yar,s this was by far his “best one yet! This is what we train for! For all of his speeches, the faces tell the story more than any words spoken.
Rick Smenner
Festival Sponsor
Doug Elkins
Paddler and Team Manager
Great competition and sportsmanship!
Tellico Heat Club Members Pose with Flying Ears in Chicago Dragon Boat Festival
Tellico Heat News Clip
Tellico Heat place 5th overall in the Chicago Dragon Boat Festival 500m race wining the final heat by .02 seconds!
Tellico Heat Demonstrates Paddles Up for Chicago From Tugaloo Beach
Chicago Dragon Boat Festival was a Huge Success
Tellico Heat participated in the the Chicago Dragon Boat Festival in June.
Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club Sponsor
Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club Heads to Chicago for International Races!
We’re thrilled to announce that the Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club is on the move, and this weekend, we’re making waves at the Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival!
Our crew has been training hard all season, and now it’s time to put our strength, rhythm, and teamwork to the test on one of the biggest stages in the sport. Held in Busse Woods, Schaumburg, IL, the Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival is known for its fierce competition, high-energy races, and unforgettable community spirit — and Tellico Heat is fired up and ready to go!
Let’s Go Tellico Heat!!
This journey wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of Rick Smenner from the Tellico Lake Home Team, who is proudly sponsoring our boat for this exciting race weekend. Rick’s dedication to the Tellico community and passion for local events like ours help fuel our team quite literally, as we paddle our way to victory!
Rick, thank you for believing in us and backing the heat. Your support means everything as we represent Tellico Lake on a national stage!
About the Event
The Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival brings together teams from across the country (and beyond) for a weekend of adrenaline-pumping races, camaraderie, and cultural celebration. Expect:
Competitive 200m and 500m races
Mixed, women’s, and senior division heats
Cultural performances and family fun
A beautiful setting in Busse Woods, perfect for fans to cheer us on
Why It Matters
For Tellico Heat, this race is more than just a competition; it’s a chance to showcase their talent and dedication. It’s a chance to showcase the power of community, perseverance, and passion. We’re proud to represent East Tennessee and Tellico Lake, and we’re excited to show the dragon boat world what we’re made of.
We’ll be sharing updates throughout the weekend, so stay tuned to our page for race results, behind-the-scenes moments, and (hopefully) a few victory celebrations!
Let’s go, Tellico Heat!
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Tellico Heat
200m - 57.24
3rd in Heat, 5th Overall SPORT MIXED 200M QUALIFYING
200m- 58.04
2nd in Heat, SPORT MIXED 200M FINAL 2
6th Place Overall
SPORT MIXED 200M
Sport Mixed 500M Qualifying Heat
1st Place - 2:31.52
SPORT MIXED 500M Qualifiying Heat
2nd Place- 2:33.00
Flying Ears
3rd Place - 2:34.68
Living Root
SPORT MIXED 500M FINAL 2
1st Place - 2:36.28
Tellico Heat
5th Place Overall
2nd Place - 2:36.30
Flying Ears
3rd Place - 2:39.64
Living Root
Race Prep
Montgomery Dragon Boat Festival 2025
200m | Tellico Heat 10 & 20 Paddler Boats
2025
2025 Spirited Tellico Heat Montgomery
2 min 33 seconds| Tellico Heat
June 14, 2025
Montgomery 20- Person 200m Race 2025
1 min 16 sec | Tellico Heat
2025
Montgomery 10 -Person 200m Race 2025
200m| Tellico heat
June 2025
Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club
Practice Videos Released 2025
- Curious about dragon-boating?
- Interested in learning more about race starts?
- Desire to see what it’s like to paddle with Tellico Heat Dragon Boat Club on beautiful Tellico Lake?
- You are a member, and want to view a practice?
Go ahead! Click one of those buttons below.
Tellico Heat Travels to Johnson City
Experience the thrill of dragon boating with Tellico Heat DBC as we travel to Johnson City, August 23 for the Honor Flight of Appalacian Highlands Dragon Boat Race at Winged Deer Park. The line up of teams is set and they’ll be ready to race to help send Veterans to DC on a trip of a lifetime, with HONOR! Tellico Heat will be there to “get their dragon on.” Paddles Up Tellico Heat!
Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or new to the sport, our club offers a welcoming environment for all skill levels. Join us to improve your fitness, enjoy the camaraderie of team events, and participate in exciting races. Don’t miss the chance to be part of our vibrant community and make lasting memories on the water. Click below to learn more about joining our club or participating in upcoming events!
