The 20th Shanghai Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament is expected to take place on June 1-2 at the Mengqing Garden water area, located in Putuo district of East China's Shanghai.

A colorful poster plugs the 20th Shanghai Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

It's expected that over 700 participants from 36 teams representing various countries and regions worldwide will compete for the championship across four categories: the Elite Group, the University Group, the International Group and the Public Group.

Since 2001, the tournament has blended culture, sports, travel and entertainment.

Through activities – such as garden tours, exhibitions, flash mob performances and other forms loved by the public – the event has spread the traditions of Dragon Boat Festival and dragon boat culture, fostering cultural exchanges between regions and nations.

In that spirit, the 20th Shanghai Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament is expected once more to see fierce competition on the waters of Suzhou Creek.

Boat team members dig deep to win a heat in a previous competition. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

In terms of the competition format, the Elite Group will engage in 22-person dragon boat 100-meter and 200m straight-line sprint races. The University Group will take part in 22-person dragon boat 200m straight-line sprint races, the International Group will compete in 12-person dragon boat 100m and 200m straight-line sprint races and the Public Group will battle it out in 12-person dragon boat 200m straight-line sprint races.

Things go to the wire, in a tight race during a previous competition. [Photo/WeChat account: shanghaifabu]

Notably, this year marks the University Group's transition from a 12-person to a 22-person dragon boat race. It will feature the participation of new teams from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Beihua University, Liaocheng University, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai Ocean University and the Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance.

With the increase in the number of participating teams and the scale of the competition boats, the latest development aims to foster a new focal point in university dragon boat events and to promote the wider acceptance of the Dragon Boat Festival and dragon boat culture among younger audiences.

Regarding participating teams, this year's tournament has broadened its impact by attracting high-caliber teams from countries such as Russia and France, alongside expats teams from Shanghai.

For two decades, dragon boat races have taken place on the waters of Suzhou Creek. This year, the organizing committee has specially commissioned skilled artisans to meticulously craft a commemorative dragon head imbued with great significance for the event.

Adorned in traditional Chinese hues, the dragon head features orange symbolizing urban vitality and red representing unwavering progress – seeking to embody the indomitable spirit of the dragon boat community.

Additionally, the dragon head is embellished with seven colors. These are said to represent the charming riversides of Suzhou Creek in the Putuo district and the sinuous dragon beard mirrors the curves of Suzhou Creek Bay – while the green pearl cradled in the dragon's maw signifies that the waters of the Putuo Dragon Boat Race segment are akin to a resplendent pearl on Suzhou Creek Bay.

Engineer Madi from Colombia, a Shanghai expatriate, made his debut in the race in 2018. Initially captivated by Chinese dragon boat culture, he and his teammates, primarily expats from diverse backgrounds in Shanghai, have developed a growing passion for the sport.

Madi said they have been diligently training for the upcoming race. "We will do our best to perform at our best level, enjoy this event, and embrace the dragon boat culture," he said.

Sources: "shanghaifabu" WeChat account, Information office of Putuo district, chinadaily.com.cn