Hopes high for dragon boat races

Over 170 teams from 12 countries and regions will race at Victoria Harbour next month in the second International Dragon Boat Races after the pandemic.

Co-organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, the event on June 15 and 16 will see some 4,000 paddlers from the mainland, Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates compete in 17 competitions.

Among the entries are Singapore's national team and the army-based team from Thailand.

Paddlers will also dress up in costumes to win the fancy dress contest.

Three special races - the International Open Grand Championship, International Mixed Grand Championship and International Women's Grand Championship - will be held on June 16.

Dane Cheng Ting-yat, Tourism Board executive director, said yesterday that over 130,000 visitors are expected to come for various activities and experiences.

"Locals and visitors can spend their daytime enjoying thrilling races on the event days. As night falls, an equally captivating experience awaits as the board will organize a pyrotechnic display on the night of June 15," Cheng said.

He said a food lane will be organized on the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui from June 8 to June 16 with some 10 food stalls offering cold drinks and bites to "help brave the summer heat."

A festival-themed drone show will be staged on June 10.

On the Avenue of Stars from June 8 to July 1 will be Line Friends installations and a pop-up store to allow visitors to take photos and buy souvenirs.

The event is aimed at creating a festive vibe for citizens and tourists because the Dragon Boat Festival does not fall on a peak season for tourism, Cheng explained.

He hoped the event, which has been given the government "M" mark, would make tourists stay longer in the city.

Arnold Chung Chi-lo, chairman of the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, said the Asian Dragon Boat Championships will be held off the Kwun Tong Promenade in October.

He said the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships will return to the city in 2027 and they will bid to host the Club Crew World Championships in 2028.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com