THOUSANDS of dragon boat racing fans from around the world celebrated the return of the 2023 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races.
A total of 160 teams comprising 4,000 athletes globally competed on June 24 and 25 at Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour. The races saw two Malaysian dragon boat teams, Penang Forward Sports Club and Dragon Ventures in competition.
The annual Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association.
It has become a large part of Hong Kong's social calendar and cultural heritage, combining intense competition with age-old traditions. The races have also amassed a global community of dragon boat athletes and enthusiasts.
Home to modern dragon boat racing, the city kept the tradition alive on a grand scale. For the first time this year, organisers introduced the Hong Kong-Macao Trophy to promote ties between the two cities. There are also cash prizes for winning teams in five major races to encourage international participation.
With sports having returned post-pandemic, the excitement on the water and in the air was especially palpable among the teams.
Malaysian national pride took centre stage, with Penang Forward Sports Club competing in the International Mixed Championship, while Dragon Ventures in the International Open Championship and International Mixed Championship races.
“We competed in the 2007 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races.
"So, returning to Hong Kong held great significance for our team, as it allowed us to reconnect with the rich cultural heritage of the event while showcasing our skills on an international stage,” said Lim Eng Wei, team manager of Penang Forward Sports Club.
Established in 1978 to promote sports development in the Penang region, Penang Forward Sports Club is a regular fixture in the dragon boat racing scene.
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The team went through a rigorous training process that featured a comprehensive blend of physical conditioning, technical drills, and mental preparation for this year's races.
“The Hong Kong races attract teams from all over the world, creating a highly competitive environment that pushes us to perform at our best.
"The racecourse itself is always challenging, but what stood out for us this year was the highly enthusiastic support from spectators who finally got to experience it all over again after a four-year break,” added Lim.
The team got off to a good start – having qualified for the final race in the tough repechage round, they placed seventh in the International Mixed Championship.
“We also reached the semi-finals of the International Grand Mixed Championship but we didn’t advance further. Nonetheless, our team demonstrated exceptional effort throughout the races,” said Lim.
To Penang Forward Sports Club, Hong Kong is an ideal destination.
“As a team that embraces the motto, ‘Race hard, play hard’, we made sure we enjoyed our time in Hong Kong beyond the races.
"We extended our stay in Hong Kong to one week because there was just so much to do, such as appreciating arts and culture at K11 Musea, taking a ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, exploring the great outdoors of Lantau Island, savouring the famous milk pudding dessert at Yee Shun Milk Company, as well as a fine dining experience at The Peninsula to name a few,” said Lim.
Dragon Venture, who competed for the first time in the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races, was moved by the vibrant atmosphere of the race and Hong Kong's rich cultural heritage.
“We formed our group in 2018 and are relatively new to the dragon boat racing community.
"For us, this competition was about having a good time and building meaningful relationships with fellow dragon boat enthusiasts from all over the world, and we couldn’t think of a better place to get started than the birthplace of modern dragon boat racing itself, Hong Kong!” said Daric Thaw, team manager of Dragon Venture.
The camaraderie within the dragon boat racing community was strongly felt against the backdrop of Hong Kong as Asia’s world city where Eastern and Western cultures converge, according to the team.
“The races were tough, and admittedly we needed to work towards continuously improving our stamina and strength going forward. However, we will always look back on our first experience at the Hong Kong races this year for motivation and inspiration.
"Of course, no trip to Hong Kong would be complete without a visit to Hong Kong Disneyland, which also turned out to be a wonderful team-building exercise for us. We also satisfied our cravings for wan tan noodles and dim sum,” said Thaw. – The Vibes, July 4, 2023
