Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ Across the Chinese diaspora, the ancient tradition of dragon boat racing has thrived for thousands of years. Recently, a significant change has brought new excitement to the sport in central Taiwan: evening races. These nocturnal events offer the benefits of cooler temperatures, refreshing breezes, and the captivating sight of boats adorned with LED lights along the low-lying watercraft.
In this vibrant spectacle, a drummer sets the rhythm behind an intricately carved dragon head at the bow, while a navigator at the stern completes the mythical creature’s look, symbolizing prosperity and good luck. Primarily an amateur sport, dragon boat racing fosters camaraderie among neighbors and colleagues. Emily Lin, a 31-year-old sales executive in Changhua County, shared how training sessions at a local junior high school strengthen bonds beyond the workplace.
“This dragon boat race allows us to meet, exchange, and participate in something meaningful,” Lin said, following the qualifiers on Monday night.
Daytime races, challenged by the intense central Taiwan sun reflecting off the river, often leave participants feeling unwell, noted Chen Ta-tzung, a 28-year-old machinery maintenance specialist. “But in the evening, you don’t have the sun,” Chen explained. “When we focus on rowing during the race, we cannot enjoy the beautiful scene. But when we row back, we can really enjoy the beautiful sights.”
This year’s races hold special significance, marking the first events since a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Boat sizes vary, accommodating 10 to 20 rowers or more, and the festival typically aligns with the summer solstice according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
In recent decades, dragon boat racing has gained global popularity, with standardized rules and equipment, including paddle sizes and the drummer’s role, similar to a coxswain in traditional rowing, maintaining a constant beat.
“Racing at night is special for rowers,” said Huang Yi-kai, a 21-year-old coach for standup paddleboard rowers. “This allowed rowers to focus on the moment. It’s a refreshing experience.”
Dragon boat races also take place in Hong Kong, Macao, and across mainland China, where safety concerns have occasionally led to tragic accidents. Recently, in Chongqing, southwestern China, a dragon boat capsized, resulting in at least one fatality, as reported by local authorities.
At a competition in Beijing’s eastern canal on Monday, participant Shi Shulei celebrated the event as a pure expression of traditional Chinese culture, free from commercial or foreign influences. “Nowadays people celebrate many festivals invented by merchants or other countries. We sometimes forget about Chinese traditional festivals. This event should be promoted because it helps to rejuvenate Chinese traditional culture,” Shi emphasized.
In Hong Kong, the focus among racers is on teamwork and achieving common goals. Andy Ng, a local team coach, highlighted the sport’s collaborative nature: “Dragon boat is a team sport. It’s important we share a team spirit. Each member strives with the same objective, which is being the fastest to the finish point. Everyone in my team enjoys it and we enjoy the workout together.”
The races are deeply connected to the legend of Qu Yuan, a loyal adviser to a Chinese emperor who drowned himself in a river 2,500 years ago after his advice was rejected. To prevent fish from consuming his body, supporters tossed in rice cakes, a tradition that persists today as people mark the fifth day of the fifth lunar month by eating sticky rice dumplings.
