Local paddlers gear up for Dragon boat races

Dragon boat races is poised to be held across Hong Kong and neighbouring Macao on Friday to mark the Dragon Boat Festival.

Among the teams gearing up is a Sha Tin-based squad which hopes to promote the culture and spirit of the Chinese tradition.

Paddling through the water in perfect rhythm, the Dragon Boat team trained on Sha Tin's Shing Mun River despite intermittent rain on Thursday morning.

Several members are former Hong Kong dragon boat representatives and train on the water three to four times a week while also maintaining rigorous gym and running regimens.

Former Hong Kong team member Huen Kui-chun says the sport's repetitive one-sided paddling motion often leads to muscle imbalances and injuries.

But the camaraderie among teammates has kept him motivated with hopes to use his professional experience to bring this district squad to higher levels.

The crew will represent Sha Tin District at the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races later this month in East Tsim Sha Tsui.

On Friday, they will be the first community-based team from Hong Kong to compete in the Macao International Dragon Boat Races.

Its team captain says conditions in Macao present new challenges with races taking place in calmer freshwater compared with the river and coastal waters where the team usually trains.

Stroke by stroke, the paddlers hope to bring their local team to more international stage so more people can understand this Chinese traditional sport.