High spirits as Hong Kong’s Dragon Boat Festival kicks off amid strong winds
‘We will do our best and enjoy the event,’ paddlers say, with authorities expecting 16 per cent increase in number of mainland visitors
Hong Kong dragon boat racers were in high spirits for the Tuen Ng Festival on Saturday, despite strong winds, with tourism authorities expecting a 16 per cent increase in the number of mainland Chinese visitors compared with previous weekends.
But some business operators in Stanley, where races were held in the morning, complained of lacklustre takings on the first-day of the long weekend, urging the government to better promote the spot to tourists.
“The weather today is a little windy, which may affect our performance,” said Alan Chan, team captain of the West Kowloon Cultural District’s dragon boat team.
“Given the wind, there could be big waves when we go out to the sea later, which would affect our results. The waves were not that big when we practised. We will do our best.”
The team, joining the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championship for the first time, completed seven two-hour lessons to prepare for the event.
While some viewed the weather as an obstacle, others believed it could give them a boost.
“The sea conditions are not ideal today, so I think it will pose a challenge to the teams that used to have good results. For an average team like us, this [weather] may give us a leg up,” joked Carol Chan, captain for insurance firm Chubb’s dragon boat team.