|
BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Dragon Boat racing is a tradition that's been preserved for thousands of years, especially in Southern China.
A historical tradition in Foshan city.
As the gun is fired, as many as 45 racers in eight dragon-shaped canoes begin to paddle to the beat of the rapid drums, accelerating towards their destination.
What makes this year’s race so special, though, is that each boat will have to complete six 16-hundred metre laps, meaning they will paddle a total of nine thousand six hundred metres. This could take them up to an hour to finish, making it an extremely tough endurance test.
"It's more like a boat marathon, the most important thing is not high speed, but team work and endurance," said Zhang Han, former dragon boat racer.
Foshan is known as the home of dragon boats and, for many local people, it’s the biggest day of the year.
"I come to watch it every year, what attracts me most are the drum beats and the crew slogans, they are exiting and inspiring," said a visitor.
The traditional dragon-boat festival in China falls in the middle of summer. But despite the hot weather, people here in Foshan are full of enthusiasm to take part in the dragon boat races, with its spirit of solidarity, striving and perseverance.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
