Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships

Festival Location: Stanley Beach, Hong Kong

Festival Type(s): Dragon Boat Racing Festivals , Water Sports Events, Parties

Festival Video: Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships

Stanley itself had long been an important settlement for fisher folk and dragon boat racing has always been a very popular way to celebrate the annual Tuen Ng Festival. As far back as the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) East and West seemed to mix well here.

In the late '60s the local races started to attract the interest of several expats living in the Stanley area and by the early '70s the expats were racing against the local Chinese. The Chinese teams always dominated the races so to make the races fairer for all in 1975 the organizers divided the races to allow the expats to compete in a category of their own. This was followed shortly after by the introduction of a Ladies' Competition.

The early races were originally held at Stanley Bay facing Tin Hau Temple and Murray House creating a strong community festival atmosphere. However, to accommodate the ever-increasing scale of the event, the Championships are now run from Stanley Main Beach.

The diverse nationalities of Expatriate Men's Teams remain a feature of the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships. The event also holds the record for always having the highest competitor turnout as well as the highest company team turnout. Over its 40 year history Race Day has evolved into an amazing festival with competitors and spectators enjoying themselves in a wonderful party atmosphere.

The above text was supplied courtesy of the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships website.

Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships (Tuen Ng Festival) - When, Where and More Info Please

When: June every year

Where: Stanley Beach, Hong Kong

More Info Please: For more info check out the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships website.

Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships Video

In Hong Kong Dragon Boat Racing is big business! The latest Hong International Dragonboat Championships attracted over 200 teams featuring over 4,000 paddlers, and let me just tell you, these guys and gals aren't just there to make up the numbers.

The event - held each June on Stanley Beach - draws huge crowds of locals, expats and visitors from near and far to witness the spectacle, party hard and spur on their favourite teams.