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Fred Lai

Lauren Chan

Danny Lee

Scores of paddlers clashed on the waterways in glorious sunshine on Thursday morning as they kicked-off the annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.
Across the city, centuries-old traditions returned with events scattered from Tai O to Aberdeen, Stanley to Sha Tin, with hordes of chanting onlookers and sweating participants bracing themselves for the tough competition and searing conditions.
Fortunately, coastal breezes and occasional showers made this year’s event a much cooler one, though the cheering crowds remained as heated as ever.

In Aberdeen, 35 races proceeded in quick succession on the 380m course.
The boats sped past the spectators in a flurry of spray and bright fabric. Standing on the promenade, one could feel the determination of the contestants as they battled through the pain, to the beat of the boat’s drummer.
One of the paddlers braving the heat was Hong Kong Institute of Architects team captain Frederick Chan, 41, who described the day as “exciting, and just as hot as last year”.
The races were a feast for the senses, and the exhilaration was palpable. The boats raced down a course bounded on one side by fishing boats and the other by spectators crowded along the promenade, many of them families who return every year.





Among them was Joseph Hui, 41, along with his wife Cynthia Chan, also 41, and their daughter Kiera, 8.
Hui, who works in finance, said he preferred the Aberdeen races to the Stanley ones “because of how we can get very close to the boats, unlike at Sha Tin”, though he added that Stanley was also enjoyable because spectators could swim at the beach.
Meanwhile at the International Dragon Boat Championships at Stanley Main Beach, paddlers from more than 280 local and international corporations competed against each other in 270m races.
The fun-loving atmosphere generated by the large crowd could be felt all along the beach and the streets of Stanley. Party music blared, and it was clear that the paddlers, many in fancy dress, were up for a good time.
Way of the Dragon: All you need to know about the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Dominic Lam, 26, a consultant who had competed on the Accenture team for two years, said he was looking forward to the after-party, as backed up by his teammates, who were already dancing to the music.
The spectators were also soaking in the party atmosphere. Can To, 45, who works in banking, praised the event for its “party feel”. He and his wife, Mandy Hui, were attending the event for the first time, as their son was competing with the Dynasty team.

Tai O village was also brought to life by the shouts of onlookers and sweating paddlers.
The highlight there was a water parade featuring three dragon boats bearing temple deities and shuttling around the stilt houses, in hope of entertaining the gods and blessing the village.
“The best part of the event is that it really brings our family together and strengthens our bond with the younger generation,” Wan Fuk-ming, executive secretary of the Joint Association of Traditional Dragon Boats in Tai O, said.

This year’s festival will take place from June 9 to 12, and events will be held at a number of different locations across the city.



 

A video posted by Joan Shang (@jshang) on Jun 8, 2016 at 7:57pm PDT



The centrepiece Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races – from June 10 to 12 – will be moved from East Tsim Sha Tsui to Central Harbourfront this year. Some 4,000 athletes from 14 countries and regions will compete in a bid to win one of 24 championships.
Also known as the Tuen Ng festival, the holiday commemorates the death of Chinese poet and court official Qu Yuan. Qu was banished by the Chu king, leaving him devastated. He later drowned himself in protest against corrupt rulers. To prevent fish from eating his body, townspeople beat drums and threw rice dumplings called “zongzi” into the water.


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Dragon Boat Festival

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival kicks off in blaze of colour

Some 4,000 athletes from 14 countries and regions will compete in the races this year. Photo: Dickson Lee

Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade, a religious activity with more than 100 years of history in Tai O to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. 09JUN16 SCMP/ Nora Tam

Dragon boat race during the dragon boat festival in Aberdeen. 09JUN16 SCMP/ Dickson Lee

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Coastal breezes and sporadic showers did not cool fervour of thousands of paddlers and spectators gathered for annual event
