Thousands pack Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui promenade for annual dragon boat races
Over 220 teams from 16 jurisdictions compete in two-day competition marking event’s 50th anniversary
Thousands of spectators and paddlers have descended on Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui promenade to cheer and compete as the 50th anniversary of the city’s annual International Dragon Boat Races gets under way.
More than 220 teams comprising over 4,500 paddlers from 16 jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Australia and Qatar, are competing in the two-day event that started on Saturday, drawing tourists and locals alike to cheer on their favourite teams as they race across Victoria Harbour.
Visitors lauded the “well-organised” and “really fun” event, while local racers noted a clear spike in intensity this year, attributing it to the sport’s growing popularity.
Francis Tang Lam Tat, the 71-year-old chairman of the dragon boat racing team Hytera, agreed, calling this year’s races “very competitive” compared with past editions.
He said the two mixed teams that Hytera fielded had made it through to the semi-finals, and he hoped that at least one would make it to the finals.
“Everyone is preparing well for this race,” he said. “Because it’s the 50th anniversary, [the organisers] sent invitations to dragon boat teams around the world asking them to come to Hong Kong.”