On June 17th, the 2023 Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament kicked off. This year, 125 dragon boat teams staged a "Fast & Furious" on the Guangzhou section of the Pearl River.

Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament on the Guangzhou section of the Pearl River

Dragon boat races are not only popular among Chinese people but also among many foreigners. In Guangzhou, there is a dragon boat team called Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Team (GIDB) composed of Chinese and foreign residents in Guangzhou.

Parade of colorful dragons

Zhang Chaowei (first from right) clapping hands with teammates before the race

"I have been participating in this event since 2010, and our team has never been absent in previous events," said David Butler, a British member of GIDB who has lived in Guangzhou for a long time. 

Huang Erli (Second from left) with her teammates

"I have met many new dragon boat teams from other countries in this event." David Butler also added that the dragon boat race has become a popular sport worldwide. Through the Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament, he could meet more dragon boat talents from all over the world. At the end of the interview, David Butler revealed that the 5th Haizhu Wetland Dragon Boat activity would be held from June 21st to 24th at the Haizhu National Wetland Park in Guangzhou, in which both domestic and foreign dragon boat competitors would participate. Citizens are welcome to visit during the event.

David Butler (Second from left in the second roll) with his teammates

"This is a stage to showcase our traditional culture to the world." Zhang Weichao, a member of the Huangpu District Dragon Boat Team, said that Chinese and foreign players got along well together, and foreign players could also gain a deeper understanding of various cultural techniques.

Liang Jinghui, Leader of Zhuhai Qianwu Dragon Boat Team

Huang Haozhi

Liang Yuqin (Forth from left) with her teammates

Chinese and foreign participants cheering for each other

the Pearl River during the Tournament

来广州，赛龙舟

6月17日，广州国际龙舟邀请赛开赛。125支龙舟队伍在珠江广州河段，上演“速度与激情”。

龙舟不仅中国人喜欢，不少外国人也喜欢。在广州，就有一支既有中国队员，也有外国在穗居民参与的“广州国际友人龙舟队”。“我2010年起就参加了这项赛事了，我们的队伍一直没有中断参加。”长居广州的龙舟队员英国人David说。

“这届比赛，我又新认识了一批来自其他国家的龙舟队伍。”David说，龙舟竞渡如今已是一项世界普及的运动。通过广州国际龙舟赛，他可以认识更多来自世界各地的龙舟好手。在采访结束时，David不忘“剧透”6月21至24日在广州海珠湿地举办的第五届海珠湿地龙船景活动，活动届时将继续有中外龙舟好手参加，欢迎市民朋友届时到访。

“这是一个向世界展示我们传统文化的舞台。”广州市黄埔区黄埔街龙舟队队员张伟潮说，通过本届比赛，中外选手不仅在赛场上“打成一片”，外国选手还能更深入了解各项文化技艺。

文 | 羊城晚报全媒体记者 梁怿韬 徐炜伦
图｜羊城晚报全媒体记者 梁怿韬 徐炜伦 钟振彬
视频 | 羊城晚报全媒体记者 梁怿韬 徐炜伦 黎杰文
翻译 | 白心怡
责编 | 王瑜瑛 戚美青
校对 | 赵丹丹