A Day in the Dragon's Den

LAMMA ISLAND, Hong Kong – Encouraged by lusty cheers from ashore, hundreds of paddlers on 37 leading dragon-boat racing teams churned up waters at the edge of the South China Sea all day on May 10.

Judging by the enthusiastic competitors and smiling spectators, the third annual Laracy Gall Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival proved successful. Under sunny skies, the event splashed ahead at the Power Station Beach beside a massive power station.

Nearness to Hongkong Electric’s industrial complex made the paddlers’ displays of muscle power extra-impressive. Even competitors from Hongkong Electric, a corporate sponsor, set aside their passion for electricity long enough to race.

Nicknamed the Lamma 500, the event sent the long, narrow dragon-headed vessels along a 500-metre course to the thumping beats of onboard drummers. Teams competed in men’s, women’s and mixed-gender divisions.

The few thousand residents of Lamma, a sparsely populated outlying island, enjoy an enviable reputation as successful dragon-boat racers. Much of the credit goes to hardworking, long-successful women’s teams.

For more information: www.lammadragonboat.com





Boats hasten toward the finish line.





Fans lean together in support of a favorite team.





Each completed race gives cause
for cheering, waving, wading, splashing.





A well-equipped photographer takes aim.





Columns of team colors fill the beach.





Ready to race, more boats launch.





Never forget the post-race refreshments.




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