Dragon Boat Races 2013
Another Chinese festivital equals another day off work.
Yes, we get a whole day off work just for Dragon Boat racing. Too bad it fell
in the middle of the week this year. None the less, Wednesday morning we boarded a junk
to go watch the races in Stanley.
The Dragon Boat races are traditionally held as part of the annual Duanwu Festival observance in China. 19th century European observers of the racing ritual, not understanding the significance of Duanwu, simply referred to it as a "dragon boat festival" and that is now a common name for the date. Duanwu is reckoned as the fifth day of the fifth lunar calendar, which often falls on the Gregorian calendar month of June, but also, rarely, in May or July.
Not a long race. Just from the platform to the beach.
Corporate junks set up a few days in advance to get prime locations. I think it is best to be at the back of the pack so you can watch a few races and then go swimming in another area. I don't recommend watching the races from the beach like we did our first year. Total mess with people everywhere. It is usually one of the hottest days of the year too.
All the dragon boats lined up for the start of a race. Races go on all day- from early in the morning to the early evening. A dragon boat crews consist typically of 22 members (but team sizes can vary), comprising: 20 paddlers, 1 drummer and 1 sweep. The boats are usually made of teak wood with various designs, complete with carved dragon in the front of the boat. Someone on our junk said it reminded them of crew.
Our junk crew
Our model pose-ha! Not really sure what we were doing here.
See you again in Stanley next year.
The Dragon Boat races are traditionally held as part of the annual Duanwu Festival observance in China. 19th century European observers of the racing ritual, not understanding the significance of Duanwu, simply referred to it as a "dragon boat festival" and that is now a common name for the date. Duanwu is reckoned as the fifth day of the fifth lunar calendar, which often falls on the Gregorian calendar month of June, but also, rarely, in May or July.
Not a long race. Just from the platform to the beach.
Corporate junks set up a few days in advance to get prime locations. I think it is best to be at the back of the pack so you can watch a few races and then go swimming in another area. I don't recommend watching the races from the beach like we did our first year. Total mess with people everywhere. It is usually one of the hottest days of the year too.
All the dragon boats lined up for the start of a race. Races go on all day- from early in the morning to the early evening. A dragon boat crews consist typically of 22 members (but team sizes can vary), comprising: 20 paddlers, 1 drummer and 1 sweep. The boats are usually made of teak wood with various designs, complete with carved dragon in the front of the boat. Someone on our junk said it reminded them of crew.
Our junk crew
Our model pose-ha! Not really sure what we were doing here.
The water was a bit chilly from all the recent rain and lack of sunshine
Never forget your koozie
See you again in Stanley next year.
Thanks Gillian and Pat for another great junk!
Catering
on our junk provided by Chicken on the Run (highly recommend).For enquiries on
Catering Packages please contact:
2537
8285 (Shop) | 2537 4563 (Office) | info@chickenontherun.com
If you
are in the area, visit their shop: 1 Prince's Terrace, Mid Levels,
located above Caine Road Mid Levels adjacent to the escalator, across from
Margaret River Wines.
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