Recruiting is underway for local students and other competitors from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Greater Bay Area to enter 56 teams in the nearly 350,000-yuan (nearly $52,076) Doumen Dragon Boat Cultural Festival 2019 races by April 25.

The opening ceremony on Sunday, May 19 is to coincide with that of the 7th Doumen Civil Sports Festival from 8:30 am to 12:30 in the afternoon in Xidi Park of Jing'an Town, according to the Doumen District Sports Bureau. Dragon dances, a themed photography competition and exhibition, and other attractions are scheduled.

The teams will battle it out on the Huangyang River near the Doumen Administrative Center on Xidi Road just north of the Jianfeng Bridge. The competition will include standard 600-m (656-yd) straight races for a group of 24 local teams and another contingent of two-dozen out-of-town teams. Local Group welcomes teams formed from towns, administrative institutions, enterprises, universities, social organizations, and Zhuhai-based units. 

Putting the mettle to the paddles [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

There is also a 100-m (109-yd) straight race for four groups of local youngsters including primary-school students in small dragon boats.

The organizing committee has increased the prize pool from 6,000 yuan ($895) to 20,000 yuan ($2,976) for the top team from local and regional groups. Each team will also earn a trophy, roasted pig, and jar of wine. Those ranked 11 to 24 each receive 5,000 yuan ($745).

The top six teams in Youth Group win 5,000 yuan ($745) to 10,000 yuan ($1,490) as well as certificates and roasted pigs. Teams in seventh and eighth positions will receive 3,000 yuan ($447) each.

Last year, 44 dragon boat teams and more than 1,300 athletes from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao participated in the races.

Although the official Dragon Boat Festival is on June 7 this year, races are held throughout the season.