HONG KONG: INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT RACE. - sound but no commentary

Decade: 1980

Thousands of excited spectators and competitors turned out in Hong Kong on Sunday (14 June) for one of the world's most spectacular sporting events. The International Dragon Boat Races, revived in 1975, were held on the colony's Wanchi River. About 80 traditionally decorated craft, manned by more than 2,000 rowers took part in what is now the largest event of its kind.

SYNOPSIS: The races, organised by the Hong Kong Tourist Association were held on this stretch of water for the first time.

They were switched from the East Tsimshatsui waterfront because of extensive re-development which the teeming colony urgently needs. But the change was the least of the worries for teams... Read more Thousands of excited spectators and competitors turned out in Hong Kong on Sunday (14 June) for one of the world's most spectacular sporting events. The International Dragon Boat Races, revived in 1975, were held on the colony's Wanchi River. About 80 traditionally decorated craft, manned by more than 2,000 rowers took part in what is now the largest event of its kind.

SYNOPSIS: The races, organised by the Hong Kong Tourist Association were held on this stretch of water for the first time.

They were switched from the East Tsimshatsui waterfront because of extensive re-development which the teeming colony urgently needs. But the change was the least of the worries for teams that came Hong Kong itself, Japan and as far away as Hawaii. The islanders were competing to help recreate what is a replay of Chinese history.

The occasion commemorates the death of Chu Yuan, the ancient Chinese poet and patriot who drowned himself while in exile as a protest at the government of his time.

These crews about to race each other will symbolise the vain efforts of local fishermen to reach the drowning poet. The racing boat crews were reputed to have beaten the waters with their paddles to prevent fish from devouring his remains. Later, rice dumplings were thrown into the waters to provide food for the poet's spirit.

The boats are up to 40 metres (120 ft.) in length and cover the 600 metre (yard) course in less than three minutes.

First home was the crew of a Hong Kong boat representing one of the colony's many fishermen's societies, villages, or clans who sponsor the different boats each year. Chasing them over the line was the crew from Penang, Malaysia.