International dragon boat championships kick off in Changhua

The Taiwan International Dragon Boat Championships kicked off Friday in Changhua County, with a total of 196 teams from home and abroad vying for glory.

Taiwanese teams from Taipei and Changhua, as well as foreign teams from Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines are competing in the three- day event, according to the organizers.

Changhua County Magistrate Wei Ming-ku welcomed the teams to his county on Friday during the ceremonious launch of a dragon boat on the Fulu River in Lukang Township to open the championships.

In an effort to promote local tourism, he also encouraged the participants to explore the township, which he said is steeped in cultural heritage.

The competition will include 12- and 22-member teams, competing in 500-meter and 200-meter categories, according to the organizers.

The event is being organized by the Chinese Taipei Dragon Boat Association, in partnership with the Changhua County government and some local companies.

The competition has been held annually in Changhua since 2013.

Source: Focus Taiwan