You are invited to the Independence Dragon Boat Regatta in Philadelphia on June 7, 2008.

No experience is necessary. You and your teammates will receive three coaching sessions with world-class paddlers from Team USA.

In addition, each team is guaranteed three 500-meter races in the regatta.

Proceeds from this event support the Philadelphia Dragon Boat Association and the Vietnam Veterans of America.

For more information, visit www.independencedragonboat.com.

"Proceeds from this event support the Philadelphia Dragon Boat Association and the Vietnam Veterans of America."

That's tacky. Philly is using war veterans as a draw to help raise money.

Tacky? Co-raising funds with a worthy group is tacky?

Attaching "vietnam vets" to a cause in the hope of drawing more revenue for your cause is very tacky. If Philly were donating all proceeds to the vets, I'd be the first to applaud them. What percentage of the profits are going to the vets?

It's called a win-win.

It's only a win-win if both parties do well. This is the second Philly regatta, and last year's was not especially well attended -- which is expected for a first-year event. Philly couldn't have made much money last year, so why would it share this year's growth?

Who knows. The city of Philadelphia is very political. Maybe the Philly team had to include someone's favorite charity in order to get a permit.

Where is this discussion going? So what if they want to share their fund raising event? Last year's event was well attended and they expect to grow it. Any event you can add to the dragon boat schedule is a boost for participants and growing the sport. Kudos to Philly for putting on a nice fun event!!!

I prefer to paddle for a charitable cause. Congratulations Philly for expanding your horizons!

I prefer to paddle for myself.

I can't believe how virtually every public event is being tied to a charity. My God, can't we just go out and enjoy an activity without being hit on for donations at every turn? If anyone throws a home party and attaches it to a charity I will not attend out of principle.

Don't get me wrong, charity is important, but I prefer to do it on my own time, in my own way. I think the charity movement is sullied by its attachment to everything. I think to a certain degree people are becoming numb to the charity ad assault.

I don't want to get in to all the "psuedo" charities - that's a wholly different problem.

OK. I feel better now.

The Tampa races have raised over $100K to support The Florida Aquarium and the Moffit Cancer Center Factors program over the past 4 years. We hope to donate another $50K-$70K this year alone. All the while providing a fun, recreational AND highly competitive racing event. Bringing people down to enjoy our waterfront and downtown activities is a huge bonus! KUDOS to Philly for giving people another reason to hit the waters of the Schuylkill River!

Tampa Paddler,

How much of the revenue from your races is kept by the Tampa race organizers? After covering expenses, is all of the money donated to charitable causes?

Ruckus won the Independence race, length of the course was over 500 meters, looked to be about 550-560 meters.

Division A Grand - 4:50 PM
Team Lane Time Place
Steel City Dragons 1 2:26:27 4
Ruckus Dragon Boat Crew 2 2:23:78 1
Wyeth Wyverns 3 2:24:73 3
Philadelphia Police 4 2:24:26 2