User:StefanJager/European Dragon Boat Federation

The European Dragon Boat Federation (EDBF) is the governing body for dragon boat racing in Europe, a member of the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) and recognised by the IDBF as the specific Governing Body for Dragon Boating in Europe.. Currently (2010) with 23 members and several nations seeking membership, it represents paddlers from all over Europe.

History
The EDBF was first constituted at a meeting held at the Hazewinkle Watersports Centre, Mechelen, Belgium, on Saturday 5th May 1990. Since then the federation has held european championships almost every year, which are growing larger and larger over the years as member numbers grow.

The EDBF Founding Member countries were Great Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden, and just over two years later in September 1992, also at the Hazewinkle course the EDBF held its first European Club Crew Championships, this time in conjunction with the Belgium National Canoe and Kayak Racing Championships. Club crews from seven European countries took part, Malmo (Sweden), Beider Basle (Switzerland) taking the gold medals in the Open 250m and 500m respectively, whilst the Women's Champions were Toma Marta (Italy) and the Mixed Champions were Wuppertal (Germany).

From 1992 until 1996 the Club Crew Championships were held every year but from 1997 they have been held every two years, on odd years, in order that European Club Crews can compete in the International Dragon Boat Federation's (IDBF) Club Crew World Championships, which are held bi-annually on even years.

In 1996, the EDBF held its first European Championships for National Teams at Silkeborg, Denmark, that is, dragon boat crews selected to race for their countries and not their individual dragon boat clubs. This followed the holding of the 1st IDBF World Championships for National Teams, in 1995 and to give National Teams a good standard of competition between IDBF World Championships, the EDBF European National Team Championships (to give them their full, formal title) are held every two years on even years.

For those interested, the results of the European Championships Dragon Boat Racing are published on the EDBF Website.

Role
The role of the EDBF is to develop the sport of Dragon Boat Racing, in its modern era, and to ensure that festival based Dragon Boat Racing retains its traditions and remains a sport and recreation to be enjoyed at all levels, by as many people as possible. This the EDBF seeks to achieve without too many unnecessary rules and regulations or too much officialdom.

Philosophy
The philosophy of the EDBF is that Dragon Boating is great fun and a very social sport. At basic level the EDBF believes that Dragon Boat Racing should be organised with this in mind, thus keeping it well within the capabilities of the average able-bodied or disabled person.

The formal Articles laid down in the EDBF Statutes, together with the Bye-Laws, Competition Regulations and Rules of Racing are designed to create an organisation, within which, the cultural background and traditions and the social aspects of Dragon Boating are preserved; the competitive aspects of Dragon Boat Racing enhanced; and the ideals on which the EDBF is founded maintained.

Purpose
The purpose of the EDBF, therefore is to provide an international organisation for the general conduct of Dragon Boating and the development of Dragon Boat Racing, as a recognised sport within Europe and to represent the interests of its member Governing Dragon Boat Associations and Groups with other organisations.