Dragon boats to roar June 2 on the Huangyang

Booming drums will beat a rataplan of cadence on the Huangyang River as 50 sleek wooden boats furiously paddle by during the 2018 Zhuhai Doumen Dragon Boat Cultural Festival on June 2. Although Duanwu Jie, Dragon Boat Festival, falls on June 18 this year, the river competitions are held throughout China in late spring and summer.

The wildly popular and traditional contest will occur at Jing'an Town's Xidi Park, the Doumen Sports Bureau announced on April 8. Officials predict favorable river conditions that Saturday.

The 50 teams are categorized: Youngsters, comprising Zhuhai elementary pupils; Zhuhai residents; and Public from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The Zhuhai category will include administrative institutions, enterprises, colleges, social organizations, locally stationed representative departments, and five Doumen towns and one subdistrict.

Also slated are a photography competition, picture exhibition, and cultural and sports performances. The launch ceremony of the 6th Doumen Civic Sports Festival will be held on the same day.

Paddling to the beat of drums [File photo]

Organized by the Doumen District government and Zhuhai Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, the race is handled locally by Doumen's Sports Bureau, All Sports Federation, and Culture & Tourism Development Co.

Over the years, the Civic Sports and Dragon Boat Cultural festivals have become highly characteristic sports events, declared an official from the Doumen Sports Bureau.

Last year, the Dragon Boat Cultural Festival saw a record-breaking 1,500 contestants compete with 51 teams before 88,000 spectators. Not only was Doumen's sports culture promoted, but so were catering and other tertiary industries, claimed the official.