A real-life version of -A Reed Crossing the River- was staged in Sanya, Hainan

On October 14th, in Sanya, Hainan, a unique challenge unfolded as members of the Hainan delegation prepared for the upcoming 12th National Traditional Sports Games of Ethnic Minorities. They demonstrated the breathtaking skills of “Duzhu Piao,” which involves performing impressive moves like push-ups and splits using just two poles on the water.

In the training area, athletes balanced on a 7.5-meter-long imitation bamboo pole while wielding a 3.5-kilogram hand pole. With their knees slightly bent and bodies leaning forward, they propelled themselves through the water, creating an image reminiscent of martial artists gliding across the surface in popular novels.

Wang Yunfu, the coach for the water sports team of the Hainan delegation, explained that Duzhu Piao originated in the northern region of Guizhou, specifically in the Chishui River area. Initially a means of water transportation for locals, it has gradually evolved into a recreational and competitive activity enjoyed by diverse ethnic groups in the region.

Tian Hongjin, a youth from the She ethnic group in Guizhou, has been practicing Duzhu Piao for 11 years and has participated in numerous national competitions. Reflecting on the journey to mastering this water skill, he said, “Duzhu Piao demands incredible balance and coordination. When I first started, I would fall into the water dozens of times a day. After years of practice, I can now confidently perform jumps and pole vaulting on the bamboo pole.”

Zhang Shanshan, a young woman from the Tujia ethnic group, shared her experience, saying, “Duzhu Piao has given me so much more confidence. Even though I fell into the water often at first, seeing my progress has been truly rewarding.” She proudly mentioned that she can now execute various moves on the pole, including splits, the crane pose, push-ups, and even hula hooping while balanced on the pole.

But can the average person try their hand at this water skill? Coach Wang indicated that while Duzhu Piao is relatively niche, it enjoys popularity due to its captivating nature in entertainment performances. However, for beginners, it’s quite challenging. He noted that with professional guidance, one might need three to four days of practice to achieve stability on the pole.