Dragon Boating:

Survivors racing to win

In late August and early September, sunlight glittered across Liyu Lake in Hualien as racing dragon boats surged through the water to the sounds of pounding drums and cheers.

Canada is a dragon boat racing powerhouse, and it demonstrated its quality again this year as its clubs topped the aggregate medal count. Among the standout crews was False Creek BCP, an all-female Canadian team of breast cancer survivors. Founded in 2023, the team trains at high intensity five or six times a week. Asked why she loves dragon boating, coach Susan Mott says nothing about healing or overcoming illness. Her answer is simply, “It’s the competitiveness.” These athletes are not here merely to take part; they race to win.

For Mott, making her first visit to Taiwan, the event’s shifts between sunshine and rain worked in the team’s favor. “The cool weather helped us perform at our best,” she says. She also praises the organizers’ efficiency in keeping the races on schedule. Competing in such a beautiful setting and experiencing the warmth of the Taiwanese people, she adds, made the trip especially rewarding.

Top paddlers from 21 countries converged on Liyu Lake in Hualien for contests of power and speed.

Twenty paddlers, one team

Germany’s Neckardrachen, which collected numerous gold and silver medals at this year’s championships, has been involved in the sport for 25 years and has about 400 members in the club. Head coach Uwe Müller says that a dragon boat harnesses the strength of 10 or 20 people working as one, stating: “Twenty people bring the power in the boat.” What the club loves most, he adds, is the feeling of everyone uniting as a team—that’s the spirit of dragon boat racing.

He also sees a contrast in training styles: European and North American crews tend to emphasize strength, while Asian crews are meticulous about technique and display an exceptionally high level of professionalism and competitive skill at elite events. In Hualien, he was delighted to race against Taiwanese crews and enjoyed the atmosphere. He was also impressed by the rigorous event operations and the lively opening parade.

False Creek BCP is a high-level dragon boat team for breast cancer survivors within the False Creek Racing Canoe Club of Vancouver, Canada.

Even pouring rain doesn’t stop the races from proceeding and the paddlers from going all out.

The downpour does nothing to dampen the spectators’ enthusiasm.

A race and a meeting of cultures

To meet the standards of a major international competition, the Hualien County Government and the organizing committee introduced an automatic starting device and electronic timing system, built a new finish tower, and assembled a fleet of 50 regulation racing dragon boats (25 20-paddler standard boats and 25 10-paddler small boats). The smooth on-site logistics and bilingual livestreaming also earned positive reviews from participating athletes from around the world.

Chiu Yu-che, secretary-general of the Chinese Taipei Dragon Boat Association, says cultural differences posed the greatest organizational challenge. He explains that the IDBF, whose leadership today is largely European and North American, is accustomed to commercializing competitions and favors controlled admission through ticketing. Taiwan, by contrast, wanted to keep the venue open and use the event to promote sport for all. “We wanted to bring people in and let the world see Taiwan’s energy,” he says. The event was therefore not only a competition but also an exercise in cross-cultural understanding and exchange.

Germany’s Neckardrachen powers across the water. The club sent more than 100 athletes and support staff to Hualien this year and collected numerous gold and silver medals.

Neckardrachen head coach Uwe Müller (left) and spokesperson Attila Huck speak with Taiwan Panorama. 

 

Hometown glory for HPEHS

One of Taiwan’s standout crews, home team Hualien Physical Education High School (HPEHS), united alumni and current students under head coach Hou Hung-chang. In the Premier Open Small Boat class, the team swept the field to win a “triple crown” of gold medals over 200, 500, and 2,000 meters.

Hou notes that most of the athletes train primarily in canoeing. Yet whereas canoeing is an individual pursuit, dragon boating requires a whole crew (20 or 10 paddlers plus a drummer and steerer) and team cohesion.

Moreover, medals are never won through last-minute intensive training. The HPEHS team members practice every morning and afternoon at the Hualien Water Sports Training Center at Liyu Lake, completing 11 sessions a week virtually year-round. Behind a gold medal that may look effortless are three, five, or even more years of work; some team members have paddled for over two decades. Hou always urges them to keep pushing. “You always need a goal in life,” he says. Even after a win, there is always a faster time to chase—and after one race, another awaits.

Composed of Hualien Physical Education High School alumni and current students, the home crew swept the Premier Open Small Boat class, winning three gold medals over 200, 500, and 2,000 meters. (courtesy of the Hualien County Government) 

The 2,000-meter circuit race is a pursuit event that tests endurance, strength, and turning technique. Rarely seen in Taiwan, it makes for thrilling competition.

In the circuit race, dragon boats must round large red buoys. Taking the inside line can cut more than 10 meters from the distance, putting the steerer’s skill to the test.

Rivals on the water, friends on shore

Dragon boating brings together people of diverse backgrounds. Along the shore, a New Zealand crew performs a Māori haka, Canadian paddlers belt out their national anthem, and Paradragon athletes receive enthusiastic cheers and applause as they finish. The sport also has virtually no upper age limit: Paddlers aged 60 and above can compete in one of the Senior classes. But though the participants may be fierce rivals on the course, on land they become friends who exchange high-fives and hugs.

Against the mountain-and-lake scenery of Liyu Lake, the championships showcased both all-out competitiveness and friendship that transcended borders. Dragon boating, now a modern competitive sport, is paddling from Taiwan out into the world.

After races, competitors from different countries embrace, exchange high-fives, and encourage one another in a display of the true spirit of sportsmanship.

The eco-friendly event market beside the venue brought together local foods and distinctive souvenirs, refueling athletes while offering overseas visitors a window onto Taiwanese culture.

In a pre-event parade, athletes from around the world marched through downtown Hualien and waved to cheering residents. (courtesy of the Hualien County Government)