Wanning stop of national dragon boat tournament concludes

Teams fight fiercely in the Wanning stop of the 2018 China Longzhou Tournament. [Photo by Ruan Chen/Hainan Daily]

A total of 36 dragon boat teams from across the country fought for the gold in the Wanning Stop of the 2018 China Longzhou Tournament, which concluded on March 18.

The tournament proceeded under reformed rules, and with a revised schedule and reorganized groups. After the professional women's group was cancelled, groups were added for men's elite and open mixed. The participation team number of the professional men's group, the only type using large dragon boats with space for 22 people, was reduced from 18 to 12. It helped the tournament step forward using smaller dragon boats with space for 12 team members. 

The reform measures aimed to adapt to standard requirements of the Olympic Games, promote development of professional dragon boat techniques and encourage more participation at colleges.

Wanning in Hainan province has held the top-level dragon boat competition for seven consecutive years since 2012. As the only domestic dragon boat competition site offshore, the city has impressed participants and spectators with its superior geographical conditions and completed infrastructure. Its shipping lane is over 1,000 m with water depth of between three and five meters. Every March to June, the weak wind force and slow flow makes the local port ideal for hosting dragon boat competitions.