Dragon boat racers draw crowds for Tuen Ng Festival at competitions across Hong Kong

Rowers young and old formed 69 teams, up from last year’s 56, to compete in 18 races along the 500-metre course despite the cloudy skies above Tai Po.

Tai Po Sports Organisation chief executive officer Luke Lam Luk-wing said he was unfazed by the possibility of wet weather, even as the Hong Kong Observatory forecast an 80 per cent chance of rain.

“I’m not worried about the weather today. If it rains a little, it helps keep everyone cool,” he said.

Lam also attributed the increase in participants to having more time to prepare for events compared with just after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Last year, the pandemic restrictions were lifted in March and the deadline for application to the race was in April, many teams didn’t have enough time to practise, hence they didn’t apply,” he said.

Bruce Wan, captain of the St Paulians Dragon team, formed from alumni of St Paul’s Co-Educational College, said it was the group’s first time at the race in Tai Po.

“We practise weekly year round and we compete in three to four races every year,” the technology professional in his thirties said.

“We have about 50 members in our team, spanning more than 30 years of alumni. It’s a great way for old boys and girls to stay in touch. If we do win, we are going to have a big meal with the whole team and our coach.”

Among the crowds perched on railings along the promenade, Queena Wong kept an eye out for her teenage son competing as part of the local Scouts’ dragon boat team.

“He worked very hard for this, there were eight weeks of weekly practice and they started from scratch. It was challenging and it’s a proper workout,” the rehabilitation professional, who is in her forties, said.

Organiser Luk said this year also marked the first time a carnival was being held alongside the race in Tai Po, adding he expected 10,000 people to visit throughout the day.

The carnival boasts dragon boat-theme stalls offering various games and snacks, as well as different workshops that include activities such as building your boat from Lego, photo spots and handicrafts.

5 pop culture nods to Dragon Boat Festival from sci-fi to Animal Crossing

Homemaker and Tai Po resident Chan Lai-wai came with her husband to take in the festive atmosphere and support the local event, saying the community was lucky for the relatively pleasant weather.

“We enjoy going to dragon boat races and the bustling atmosphere, they’re very exciting,” the 60-year-old said.

But she noted some of the vendors’ wares were too pricey.

“We had a look at the stalls but didn’t make any purchases,” she added.

“One stall was selling a chicken leg for HK$40 [US$5.1], we thought that was quite expensive, especially when the economy is quite weak now. People won’t be able to afford it.”

In Sai Kung, Briton Theodore Smith joined the crowds along the local promenade to catch the races there.

“Great Britain holds their own dragon boat races, but I’ve never watched one until today,” he said.

“I admire the way [competitors] interacted. It felt great to see the bond and sheer competitiveness that each team has. I suppose this is one thing off my list of things to experience in Hong Kong”.

Kims Au, who coaches the dragon boat team for the Hong Kong Southern District Women’s Association, led her own team to win first runner-up for the women’s championship final.

She said the weather was not a problem. “It doesn’t matter if it is raining, we will still compete to win,” she added.

The veteran racer, who has competed for more than a decade, said her own team had won multiple trophies in Monday’s races.

“I’m happy that the team was able to take something home today. We’ll always be looking forward to [next year’s] events,” she said.