Asian Dragon Boat Championship

Continuing the “loads of events going on in Pattaya” theme, today saw the start of the Asian Dragon Boat Championship. Four hundred oarsmen and women from twelve countries, all squeezed onto a bit of beach next to Bali Hai pier.

Dragon boats have the effigy of a dragon on the prow and a drum (and drummer) near the stern, with either ten or twenty rowers sitting in the middle.

The event was meant to start at 0900, but the first race was actually scheduled for 1000, because we had to suffer the obligatory opening ceremony. First a mini-band offered a mini-toot:

Then a couple of MCs were rolled out to spout for a while:

They were followed by a small boy who climbed on some pots and did things with a hula hoop until he dropped it:

Next up were the local dignitaries who always go on for ever, so I wandered off and got glared at by the Indonesian team:

These guys provided a commentary which culminated in vocal orgasm at the end of every race:

And so to the racing.

Sometimes it all goes wrong:

Fun to try and capture the strain on the faces; but even better were the expressions of tortured relief and elation when they crossed the line:

Comments 🔗

2012-02-07 | Bob says

Awesome rowing photos. But, what,? No Dragonettes in short dresses?

2012-02-07 | Spike says

No Dragonettes to photograph.

2012-02-07 | Spanky says

I know its photography free month but what camera did you use?

2012-02-07 | genuinej says

Who won?

2012-02-08 | Spike says

It’s OK, today is February tech day so I can tell you that all the action shots were taken with a Canon 1D Mark 4 with a 300mm F2.8 lens and a 1.4x adapter.

2012-02-08 | Spike says

Don’t know, it was the first day of a 2 day event. I can predict India didn’t win, you can see by the shots of their boat that their paddle action was not synchronised.

2012-02-09 | Grant says

Pity. They must have had plenty of practise paddling around Singapore and up the Gulf…

2012-02-12 | Woradate says

Let me share your post on Facebook. I like your snap shot and great 300mm tele. Regards

2012-02-12 | Spike says

You can find Pattaya Days on Facebook. Glad you like the pics.