The sun was high in the sky, and the Allegheny River was smooth.

Two boats, each holding 20 people paddling mechanically in unison, cut through the water's surface in a race between the Roberto Clemente and Fort Duquesne bridges.

Spectators cheered from the riverbanks along the North Shore.

Such was the scene from the ninth annual Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Challenge that was among the events yesterday, the final day of the Three Rivers Regatta.

One of the world's oldest sports, dragon boat racing originated in China about 2,400 years ago and has increased in popularity in the past 25 years.

Yesterday in Pittsburgh, it increased in visibility as the local race became part of the Pittsburgh Regatta for the first time.

About xxxxxx attended yesterday's Regatta activities, which also included a Frisbee dog show and a variety of concerts, including the closing performance by Steve Azar.

"We are hoping it draws more citywide interest in the sport," said Lynne Franks-Meinert, president of the Steel City Dragon Boat Association. Her organization and the Three Rivers Rowing Association Pittsburgh Paddlefish jointly organize the annual dragon boat races.

"The venue is beautiful here," said Suhail Baloch, one of the event organizers, adding that there were far more spectators at the Regatta than at the races held previously on the South Side as part of the Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival.

A dragon boat is 40-foot-long, 600-pound canoe, decorated at the front with a dragon's head, that holds seats for 20 paddlers. There is also a drummer who sits in the front of the boat to keep the cadence and a helmsman at the back to steer.

While strength is part of the secret to winning a race, paddle synchronization and technique are equally important, Mrs. Franks-Meinert said.

Thirteen teams competed yesterday in three categories -- premier, women's and recreational. Medals were given to the winners of each category: recreational, Extreme Dragonboats; premier, Paddle Fish; and women's premier, Paddle Fish Women.

The racers included an eclectic group of people. There was a boat filled with teens known as the Paddlers for Peace, who paddle to promote harmony and reduce violence among teens. Racing adult teams, the teens placed eighth overall.

There were breast cancer survivors who made up the team Pink Steel.

And there were serious athletes like Mrs. Franks-Meinert, who along with two other local women, Robin Crawford and Natacha DeGenna, will represent the United States at the Dragon Boat Racing World Championship in Prague in August.

Despite their differing levels of athletic ability, yesterday's participants knew that the real secret to success in their sport was teamwork.

"You have to have teamwork to get fast," said Ashley Farnen, 11, of Coraopolis, a member of Paddlers for Peace.

"Teamwork is a must," said her teammate, Coty Ivory, 15, of Duquesne. "If we all start fighting, then it will be totally off."

For those who would like to try dragon boating, the Steel City Dragons offer sessions on most Saturday mornings at 8:45 a.m. at the Fox Chapel Yacht Club, said Marty Silverman of Squirrel Hill.