Overseas Chinese in Canada -go home- for dragon boat racing
On September 12th, Min Xu, a member of the Canadian Dragon Descendants Dragon Boat Team, made a much-anticipated return to Shanghai after a five-year break to compete in the dragon boat races. “It feels wonderful to be ‘home’ competing in a dragon boat race,” Min expressed, her excitement evident as she and her husband, also a team member, put in their final training efforts before the competition.
The 13th Shanghai World Chinese Dragon Boat Invitation Race is taking place from September 11 to 15 in Qingpu, Shanghai. This vibrant event features intense 500-meter straight sprints and 3000-meter relay races, accommodating both 22-person and 12-person mixed teams. Teams from various countries and regions have gathered to showcase their skills, with 16 teams representing the Chinese diaspora.
Since its inception in 2009, the Shanghai World Chinese Dragon Boat Invitation Race has turned Qingpu into a central hub for dragon boat enthusiasts, attracting more participants each year.
Established in 2016 and based in Montreal, the Canadian Dragon Descendants Dragon Boat Team is an amateur group entirely made up of dragon boat enthusiasts. “Competing in dragon boat races during the Year of the Dragon is especially meaningful for us. The dragon symbolizes our culture and spirit, and we all identify as descendants of the dragon,” shared Junhua Shen, the team leader and president of the Montreal Shanghai Association, during an interview. He noted this marks their fourth consecutive year participating in the race, and there’s a palpable sense of excitement among the team members. “This year, we’ve even added some ‘foreign faces’ to our crew, bringing a fresh dynamic to our team and fostering friendships through competition.”
Zhu Liping, a team member and vice president of the Montreal Shanghai Association, has been passionately involved in dragon boat racing for five years and serves as the drummer during races. “As we paddle, the team synchronizes their movements to the rhythm of the drum, propelling us forward. It takes not only physical strength but also a keen sense to enhance the team’s overall efficiency,” she detailed.
Min added, “When the dragon boat starts to move, the sense of teamwork is palpable, with everyone in sync—it’s exhilarating.” She also mentioned that at the upcoming “Athlete’s Night,” team members will have valuable opportunities to interact with crews from Japan and Shanghai.
“Montreal hosts a Dragon Boat Festival every year, attracting participants from the Chinese community and various organizations. The local interest in dragon boating has surged; many non-Chinese locals frequently watch our training sessions and ask about joining the teams,” Min reflected, highlighting the growing popularity of dragon boat racing in Canada.
Dragon boat racing, a traditional intangible cultural heritage, finds a perfect venue in Qingpu, Shanghai, renowned for its lush lakes and rivers, earning it the title of “Green Water City.” Recognized as Shanghai’s only “hometown of Chinese dragon boats,” it has hosted numerous large-scale dragon boat events, promoting dragon boat culture and fostering international exchanges through sports.