THE sound of beating drums on Beechworth's Lake Sambell marked the ceremonial start for the launch of the dragon boat season by the local club on Saturday, as paddlers made their way to shore.

Among protocols for the special event held by the Golden Serpents Dragon Boat Club were friendship–protection bracelets given to paddlers, before placing incense sticks in a special sand–filled dish.

Audience members were also invited to participate.

Event MC and club president Brendan Maher undertook 'Welcome to Country' while member Christine Gabriel read the Paddlers Oath and Paddlers prayer.

Club coach Diane Edmondson gave a brief history of dragon boating and the significance of Awakening of the Dragon by dotting the eyes of the dragon boat, and completed a Blessing of the Boats in the traditional Chinese ceremony.

A ritual of drummers and paddlers back paddling and sprinting to shore three times followed, before Ms Edmondson detailed dragon boat racing's 4th century BC Chinese heritage.

Ms Edmondson said dragon boat racing dated back to the 4th Century BC in China.

"According to legend, Qu Yuan, a revered poet and statesman hurled himself into the Mi–Lo River to protest the corrupt regime of the reigning Chou Dynasty emperor," she said.

With news of his drowning, local fishermen launched boats in a race to be first to recover Qu Yuan's body but were too late.

"Fearing his body would be preyed upon by fish, the evil spirits, and other denizens of the river, the boatmen beat their paddles furiously upon the water while it was also said they threw rice dumplings into the river as a sacrifice to his heroic spirit," Ms Edmondson said

She said over time, dragon boat racing had become a way to commemorate Qu Yuan's death and to celebrate his heroic spirit.

"The reason for this ceremony is to awaken the dragon, to protect our club members, paddlers, volunteers and spectators on the day," she said.

"Water is splashed on the dragon's head to bless it, with a sprig of spring onion into its mouth because it's hungry after it's been woken up."

Invited guests Benambra MP Bill Tilley, Indigo Shire councillor Larry Goldsworthy and Beechworth Secondary College principal Trish Broom helped club juniors Connor, River and Lexi perform the "Awakening the Dragons" ceremony.

Dragon boating friends from the Brave Hearts and Mt Beauty paddling communities as well as interested locals were among a close to 100–strong crowd.

A grant was also presented to the club courtesy of Community Bank Beechworth and District Bendigo Bank's Lori Campbell, in order to purchase equipment.