Taipei International Dragon Boat Championship is set to start with a splash June 8 on the Keelung River, attracting a record number of entrants from home and abroad.
A total of 234 teams, including two from Germany and Israel, will go stroke for stroke during the three-day regatta as they battle it out for top honors and cash prizes totaling NT$3.3 million (US$110,000), according to Taipei City Government.
Liu Yi-ling, division chief with the city’s Department of Sports, said the teams will take part in the preliminaries scheduled for June 9. The categories are high school girls, high school boys, masters’ division, men’s open, women’s open and invitational games.
“An exhibition race will be held the day before featuring four high-tech boats and gear produced in Poland from carbon fiber,” she said.
Another highlight event is Taipei Dragon Boat Festival, which is being held in unison on the Dajia section of the city’s Keelung Riverside Park, Liu said.
The double paddling extravaganza will get underway with a grand parade on opening day featuring all the mascots of major events held in Taipei over the past few years, including the 2009 Deaflympics and 2010 International Floral Expo.
“We urge residents to bring their pets to the parade and help create an animal-themed day,” Liu said, adding that other activities include a rice dumpling wrapping competition, artistic performances and games.
The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar. It is a national holiday in Taiwan and mainland China, and celebrated in many parts of Asia. (JSM)
Write to Meg Chang at sfchang@mofa.gov.tw