The Nansha Dragon Boat Racing event took place on the Jiaomen River on May 12, with the Guangzhou (Nansha) Dragon Boat Team training for the upcoming races.

Nansha dragon boat team trains on the Jiaomen River. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_nanshafabu]

The team is set to represent Guangzhou at the "2024 First Frankfurt International Dragon Boat Friendship Race" in Frankfurt, Germany, scheduled for May 25. Last year, the team clinched the general championship at the 2023 Darwin International Dragon Boat Festival held in Darwin, Australia.

Dragon Boat culture originated from the water worship tradition of Lingnan ancestors. Participating in dragon boat activities is not only great exercise but also fosters team spirit. The team heading to Germany this year is formidable, and the Nansha team hopes to achieve excellent results as well.

The First Frankfurt International Dragon Boat Friendship Race will feature 23 teams from countries and regions such as China, Germany, Italy, and France, with nearly 460 athletes participating. The Nansha team comprises 21 members, including eight female and 13 male participants. Coach Zhang Qiguang, hailing from Huangge town in Nansha, is a former kayaker who has since transitioned to a dragon boat racer and coach, having competed in numerous domestic and international dragon boat races.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Germany, with close exchanges and cooperation between Guangzhou and Germany. Frankfurt, a friendship city of Guangzhou situated on the Main River, is the fifth-largest city in Germany.

Nansha dragon boat team trains on the Jiaomen River. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_nanshafabu]