SUPERIOR — There were battles with paddles as nearly 40 teams raced 400 meters from one end of Superior Bay to the other on Saturday during the annual Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival off Barker’s Island. Under partly cloudy skies with temperatures around 70 degrees, it was a great day for fierce, but friendly competition.

The two-day festival kicked off on Friday with a number of activities and attractions, including a 5K and kids runs, disc golf, music, food trucks, the opening ceremony and parade of teams.

Saturday was race day with two rounds of heats before championship battles. The racing teams themselves can consist of a maximum of 25 people, age 14 and older. There are 20 paddlers in a boat, with at least eight women. The festival provides a person to steer, but each team must

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