thericechronicles: Dragon Boat

Friday, June 6, 2014

Dragon Boat

A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft. They were traditionally made in the Pearl River Delta region of China's southern Guangdong Province out of teak wood (mostly imported from Pontianak, Indonesia) to various designs and sizes. In other parts of China, different kinds of wood are used to build these traditional watercraft. It is one of a family of traditional paddled long boats found throughout Asia, Africa, and the Pacific islands. Currently, boats are being made for competitive purposes out of carbon fiber and other lightweight materials.

Dragon boats are the basis of the team paddling sport of dragon boat racing, a watersport which has its roots in an ancient folk ritual of contending villagers, which has been held for over 2000 years throughout southern China. While competition has taken place annually for more than 20 centuries as part of religious ceremonies and folk customs, dragon boat racing has emerged in modern times as an international sport, beginning inHong Kong in 1976.

Every year in the early part of June many Hong Kongers, including those in the education field, get a day off for "Dragon Boat Day." This year we got Monday, June 2 off. All over Hong Kong on that day were dragon boat races. This year, instead of hanging @ home or lounging at a beach I went to watch a race in Shatin. As you can see by the picture below it was a hot day. In Asia umbrellas are not only used for rain protection, but sun as well. Lots of umbrellas indicate that its HOT HOT HOT. Lots of umbrellas means it was very crowded too. Nevertheless it was an interesting experience. Most of the teams train year round and compete in a variety of races, but the June 2nd race is the BIG one. Many companies in Hong Kong have dragon boat teams as a way to instill morale. Despite how physically exhausting the race is the people in the boats look like they had fun even though they had a drummer guy in the front of the boat and a rudder guy in the back of the boat "exhorting," them forwards. Yet, being yelled at while sitting in a cramped boat under a searing sun does not sound fun to me. I'd rather chase a ball with a stick in my hands, or bike on some rugged mountain trail, or ride the waves. But hey, different strokes for different folks. Get it? Dragon boat…strokes….groan ha ha.

A bridge over the Shatin river was closed off for spectators.

The course was about 400 meters, starting from the bridge in the background.

There are 26 people in a large size dragon boat. 24 row while the other two boss the 24 around. It seems in China people like to do things in cramped, crowded spaces.

Teams had their own colors. Very Chinese to be in groups with same colors.

Co-ordination is essential. Guy at the back is the rudder guy. His job is to keep the boat going straight and to add his own exhortations to the men/women doing all the work.

The drummer guy needs to be bossy and have some rhythm.

A smaller version of the dragon boat. Note no drummer guy so rudder guy has to not only rud (is that a term?) but he has to whistle a whistle to keep up a beat.