Dragon boats battle rain and waves at Moon Bay

Video and photos by Liu Xudong

Braving the rain and choppy waters, Shenzhen's only marine dragon boat race got under way at Moon Bay in Nan'ao, Dapeng New Area, on Thursday. The 2026 Greater Bay Area (Nan'ao, Shenzhen) Maritime Dragon Boat Race has drawn 30 teams from across the region for a two-day competition.

The Asia-Pacific United Team waits at the starting point before the race.

After an "Awakening the Dragon" blessing ceremony, a traditional ritual in which the dragon's eyes are dotted to bring the boat to life, the first 11 teams battled it out on 500-meter courses over two grueling rounds.

Despite the rain, competitors tried their best. Teams from Dongguan, Shenzhen and Zhongshan clinched the top three spots on the opening day.

Among the paddlers were international students from the Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen (HITSZ), who joined the Asia-Pacific United Team for its debut in the marine event. Though they finished last, they took away joy, friendship and an unforgettable experience.

Members of the Asia-Pacific United Team pose for a photo.

For Emran Ahmad, a Bangladeshi student from HITSZ, it was his first water sports competition, and on the sea. While he has been on his university rowing team for four months, training was always on a calm river, different from the windy, rain-lashed racetrack. After just two training sessions on the sea, Ahmad acknowledged there was plenty of room for improvement but he enjoyed every moment.

"The trainer taught me how to row and use my blade in the water, and gave me the responsibility to keep rhythm with his drumbeats. I tried as hard as I could," Ahmad said. "Everyone on the team really gave it their all."

A member of the Asia-Pacific United Team takes a selfie.

The Titanic Dragon Boat Sports Club team from Hong Kong has taken part in the race more than 20 times.

"We've been here since the very first edition. We're big fans of this event," said team leader Ricky Lau. "As Hong Kong is surrounded by the sea, we usually train in marine conditions, so this feels like second nature to us." He added that he hoped for a good result on Friday.

More races are set to continue June 19 as the Dragon Boat Festival holiday gets into full swing.

As Shenzhen’s only maritime dragon boat race, this event welcomes its 23rd edition this year. Beyond the thrills, attendees can enjoy cultural displays, food markets, live music, and more at Moon Bay.