The Guam Thanksgiving Day Dragon Boat Festival kicked off with a welcome reception at the Fiesta Resort on Friday, November 18, 2016. The event included the introduction of participating teams from the Philippines’ Titans and Pyros Dragon Boat Clubs, Hong Kong Crazy Dragon and Cathy Pacific Dragon Boat Club, Taiwan Hash Dragon Boat Club, Team Guam’s Acha’Gigu, Haggan and Dragon Boat teams. The group was treated to local delicacies as well as performances.
Tumon Bay witnessed a colorful arrangement of dragon boats gliding through the straight course to the beat of drums setting the pace for the paddlers. The inaugural race kicked off at 11:00 a.m. at the Matapang Beach Park with the Big Boat Mixed Open division consisting of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersperson competing in the 500m course. The event was followed by the small boat competition on the 500m course for men, women and mixed team.
After 29 races and five hours under a breath-taking Guam scenery, the Philippines combined team of Titans and Pyros came home with the Gold medals in the Small Boat Women and Mixed team categories. Team Haggan Guam struck Gold in the Men’s small boat competition while Team Hong Kong Crazy Dragons took the coveted Big Boat mixed team Gold.
The event was organized by Guam ACES (Athletes, Coaches, Educators and Students) under their Chairman Bernie Lirag who expressed his enthusiasm about the success of this event. ACES President Eric Bartolome and Vice President Terrence Baclig were also ecstatic about upcoming opportunities for our island’s Dragon Boat community including a possible forthcoming U22 international event. All three officials expressed their gratitude to Race Coordinator Ronald Ruiz and his officiating crew from the Guahan Flyers and Haggan Outrigger Canoe Club for helping them make this race possible.
Guam Dragon Boat Federation Secretary-General Joey Miranda III was grateful for the opportunities Guam ACES has provided in hosting the first ever Guam Dragon Boat International race. “This event has definitely given the sport of Dragon Boat on island a huge boost in its continued endeavor to promote the sport.”
The race continues on Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. with the 300m course as the teams compete for medals in the Big Boat Mixed Open, Small Boat Mixed Open, Small Boat Men and Small Boat Women events.
Last Modified on 03/08/2017 09:56
