TWO grand dragon boat races are set to take place in town, drawing teams from various regions to showcase their skills and spirit on the water. Let’s delve into the details of these upcoming events that promise fierce competitions and vibrant cultural displays. Maozhou River in Bao’an Thirty-seven teams from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Hainan and Guangxi will gather on Maozhou River on May 25-26 for the exciting GBA (Shenzhen Bao’an) Maozhou River Dragon Boat Race. With a total of 850 paddlers and referees, the race will include three Guangzhou and Jiangmen teams that participated in the 16th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Thailand last year, along with four teams comprising people with disabilities. The event will begin with a lively warm-up show, encompassing lion dances, demonstrations of the Hongfo Fist from Shaolin martial arts, and canoe performances. Additionally, a booth highlighting beneficial policies for local enterprises will be set up. Inaugurated in 2018, the Maozhou River dragon boat race is included as part of the First National Fitness Games (South China) this year. Dates: May 25-26 Venue: Maozhou River (near Yanshan School), Bao’an District (宝安区茅洲河，燕山学校附近) Booking time slots: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., May 18-20 (for the May 25 race), May 22-23 (for the May 26 race) Metro: Line 6 to Shutianpu Station (薯田埔站), Exit A and then take a taxi Guanlan River in Longhua Save the dates for June 1-3 as the Guanlan River will be transformed into a battleground for paddlers and enthusiasts seeking the thrill of dragon boat racing. The event will feature 16 teams from the GBA, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Malaysia, alongside 50 teams representing local communities, government agencies, enterprises, and institutions. The race has been held for nine editions and was recognized as one of Shenzhen’s top 10 local competitions in 2017, promising a blend of tradition, sport, and community spirit. Dates: June 1-3 Booking: WeChat account “WenhuaLonghua” (Booking will commence in late May) Venue: Guanlan River (near Guanhu Century Plaza), Longhua District (龙华区观澜河，观湖世纪广场附近) Metro: Line 4 to Xikeng Station (茜坑站), Exit A(Cao Zhen) | 