Expats paddle into Chinese culture through dragon boat racing
The 21st Shanghai Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament kicked off in Putuo district on May 24.
The two-day tournament attracted 58 teams and 1,078 participants, the largest scale in a decade. A team of foreign journalists, with members from countries including Germany, the United States, Switzerland, Hungary, Russia, and Singapore, also joined the event.
"I've done this for more than 10 years, actually not every year, but more than 10 years. It's a great opportunity to sort of interact with the local community and also learn more about Chinese culture," said Allen Wan, a journalist who works for the Shanghai branch of Bloomberg News.
"I just wouldn't have the chance to do what I do here in New York. I think Shanghai is just a great place for you to find whatever you wanna do," said Wan. "I am a sports person. I like boxing and softball. I'm a member of the Shanghai Softball League and I play softball every Saturday."
Growing up watching a lot of Bruce Lee films, Wan paid tribute to his idol by wearing a pair of Bruce Lee-style shoes for the races.
"I'm a big fan of Bruce Lee because I think that he represents courage and the spirit of never giving up," said Wan.
For Sonya Loher from Switzerland, that's also her sports philosophy. "One thing for sure is that we try our best. We aim for very good results," said Loher, who participated in her 3rd dragon boat tournament this year.
"I think there aren't that many sports that combine everything. This competition combines teamwork, stamina, and technique. And you also need to have a strong body," said Loher.
As the captain of the team Bainiangzi, Loher explained that the name comes from the Legend of the White Snake, one of China's most popular folktales.
Living in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, Loher and her husband traveled to Shanghai for the tournament. However, this journey is about more than just sports — it's a family reunion, as her son and daughter flew from Switzerland to Shanghai to take part in the races.
"I think one thing is the culture behind it. After all, the dragon boat originated here. The other thing is the family part of it. We do social things together, such as barbecuing, other outings, and even knitting courses," said Loher.
Loher said that Shanghai's high-quality sporting events and beautiful scenery are huge advantages for the city.
Loher wasn't the only one. There was also An De Rademaeker, a graduate student at Fudan University from Belgium and a volunteer at the Benelux Chamber of Commerce.
Participating in her first dragon boat races, De Rademaeker is a member of the Benelux Intern-National Dragons Team and is excited and thankful for the opportunity.
"Shanghai's sports atmosphere is great, especially at universities, where there are all kinds of activities," said De Rademaeker.
Despite starting her studies in Shanghai in August, De Rademaeker is no stranger to China as her mother is Chinese. Therefore, from a young age, she frequently visited China during holidays.
"When I had to decide which city in China to study in, I immediately chose Shanghai because I felt it offered a unique blend of metropolitan and international elements, showcasing both ancient and modern Chinese culture. It truly reflects China's fast-growing economy and offers a convenient lifestyle," said De Rademaeker.
"I think that the experiences of the past year will greatly benefit my future life and development. I appreciate this opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to build my career in China after graduation," said De Rademaeker.
