Scores of dragon boat paddlers battle it out on the Thames

Dozens of dragon boat teams took to the waters of the UK capital’s Royal Docks on Sunday for the 23rd annual London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.

Thousands of spectators cheered on the 40-plus teams taking part in races on the River Thames as temperatures hit 27 C.

To the beat of each boat’s drummer, amateur teams battled against some of the United Kingdom’s greatest paddlers to compete for six cups.

Jackie Lam, captain of the Hong Kong Family team, said: “There’s no I in team and that’s what dragon boat racing is all about. It’s about teamwork, camaraderie and it’s about being together and part of a community and it’s great to represent Hong Kong.”

CCC Turtles raced across the finish line in the first heat and, after coming in second last year, was hoping to clinch the top prize this year.

“We’ve put in a lot of practice,” said Hudson Sin, co-captain of the team. “It was only six weeks ago that we put the team together.”

His co-captain, Ken On, said dragon boat racing is a great sport to take part in.

“Lots of teamwork involved, you get to meet a lot of people and make new friends and become a family,” he said.

Another team that got off to a great start under the blue sky and sunshine was the one that represented the Chinese embassy.

“The dragon boat festival is a cultural event which encourages everyone to be their best and it’s bringing the community together,” said Zeng Rong, a spokesperson for the embassy. “Chinese culture is really having a big influence in the United Kingdom and we are very happy about that.”

Several competitors dressed up for the occasion, with one man wearing a kilt and playing bagpipes as a group of paddlers made their way onto their boats.

On dry land, musical talents and performers from all over the world entertained the crowds on the East West Festival stage. People also got to enjoy traditional Chinese lion dancing and Asian food stalls.

The first London Hong Kong Dragon Boat race was held 23 years ago and was organized by the London Chinatown Lions Club. The event has grown into a major cultural happening in London and attracts thousands of spectators and participants each year.

The traditional time for dragon boat racing is the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, a day that features races, as well as the eating of rice dumplings in memory of the ancient reformist and poet Qu Yuan, who lived in China’s Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and has long been commemorated by Chinese people for his patriotism.