Island awash with thrills as Tuen Ng fun begins

Hong Kong Island was afire with the thrill of competitive adrenaline and festive excitement on Friday as rowers competed in the annual dragon boat races to mark the Tuen Ng Festival.

In Stanley, the extravaganza drew 185 local and international teams, leaving them awash in the drumbeat of paddle wars throughout some 40 races.

Some teams said that, while this was not their first time in the chase, this year's races were more competitive, with more teams joining from different places.

Some teams also said the occasional deluge of the past few days had not dampened their mood or training schedule.

A Dutch rower, who moved to Hong Kong only three months ago, said he wasn't at all confident about winning, it being his first go at a dragon boat competition, but that the atmosphere was what made him get his feet wet.

In Aberdeen, a total of 33 races that sees around 1,700 rowers in 49 teams competing drew large crowds along the harbour, helped by the emergence of the sun from the dark clouds that held sway over the past few days.

Some parents brought along their young ones for their first immersion in the thrill of the dragon boat spirit.

"My kid has never seen dragon boat racing before, so I wanted to bring her to see a real one," said a mother of a one-year-old.

"It is very nice to see and it's very interesting because we're from the Netherlands and we don't have anything like this," said a student rower from the Netherlands.

Leung, a Southern district resident and fisherman who has been participating in dragon boat races for more than 40 years, described the event as one big family gathering.

"The atmosphere is great, very enjoyable. It feels like one big family gathering. We know every team well, and we're both friends and mentors to each other," he said.

"Aberdeen has more fisherman, and everyone comes together like being at a carnival to celebrate."

This year's Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races will be held next Saturday and Sunday in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Edited by Azam Khan ...