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Chinese legends, Disney characters compete in Hong Kong dragon boat races

Paddlers don dazzling array of colourful costumes for final day of Hong Kong’s International Dragon Boat Races

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Some paddlers dressed up as popular Chinese legends Wukong and Ne Zha for the event. Photo: Eugene Lee
Connor Mycroft
Competitors marked the final day of Hong Kong’s International Dragon Boat Races on Sunday by donning an array of colourful costumes that included beloved characters from animated films and Chinese folklore.

Hongkongers, expats and a team of visiting Canadian paddlers were among those taking part in the fancy dress competition held on the event’s second day. The races were organised by the city’s Tourism Board and the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association.

Toronto’s Water Vipers dragon boat team was among the nine groups competing for the best fancy dress, with their around 22-strong crew rocking up to the event with geese hats.

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Water Vipers paddler Christopher Trotman, 36, said his team was spending about a week in Hong Kong amid the competition.

“So far it’s been great,” he said. “Toronto is a very multicultural city, so we have people who are locals from Hong Kong, and that’s been great in helping us experience the city.”

The Hong Kong Disneyland team rocked outfits inspired by the animated movie Moana. Photo: Eugene Lee
The Hong Kong Disneyland team rocked outfits inspired by the animated movie Moana. Photo: Eugene Lee
The fancy dress contest put an emphasis on style over racing, with those taking to the waters including a team from the MTR Corporation, who dressed up as popular Chinese legends Wukong and Ne Zha.
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