Water Work

A social workout on the river

ere's a social workout you might not expect to find: dragon-boating on the Charles. Boston's Dragon Boat Club puts teams of around 22 in boats that compete in Boston and beyond from April to October; some members are so diehard they train in Florida in the off season. But beginners are welcome, too, and can attend a first practice for free, with life vests and single-blade paddles provided. They'll be given places in the long, narrow boats, with dragon heads and a keel for a tale, and get a workout in their cores, legs, and shoulders as they twist to pull the paddles tthrough the water in sprints of 250, 500, and 1,000 meters to the deep beat of a drum. There's a bargain price for subsequent practices, or you can become a dues-paying member of the club. Nesin

Shhhh! Boston's Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in June
attracts teams from all over the world.

Shhhh! Tradition has it that dragon boating began
2,000 years ago when people raved to keep the fish from the body of beloved poet Qu Yuan, who had drowned, by beating on drums and splashing the water with their paddles.

Shhhh! You will get wet.

Shhh who knew

The famous ode to the Charles River, "Love That Dirty Water," by the Standells, reached Number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 11, 1966. It was written by the band's producer, Ed Cobb, who, with his girlfriend, had been mugged while walking along the river the year before. Standells drummer Dick Dodd began his entertainment career as a mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club.