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MANILA, Philippines—There is a Chinese legend of a patriotic Chinese poet called Qu Yuan. He jumped into the Miluo River, as an act of protest against the rampant corruption in his time. The commoners know of his patriotism and know Qu Yuan to be an honest and upright man got on their boats and rushed to save him. They beat their drums and splashed on the water with their paddles to keep fish and evil spirits from his body. Unfortunately, they didn’t get to him in time and Qu Yuan died.

What a bummer! This legend is the origin of the Dragon Boat race. Since that time, the Chinese have commemorated his death with a race that has become known all over the world. A standard crew is composed of 20 people—18 paddlers, one drummer and one stirrer. The Dragon Boat race, more than speed and power, is a test of teamwork. It is a different kind of sport where cooperation is priority, not skill or strength.

The race finds its way to Boracay on May 1 to 3 where over 1,000 Dragon Boat racers from different parts of the world will participate in the Fila Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival. To be held in front of the Boracay Regency Beach Hotel, competitors from as far as Australia, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States and the Philippines will be competing in this official international race.

Game on

Nenette Graf, President of the Boracay Island Paddler’s Association, stresses that a team has to be one. “If you’re not in synch,” she says, “you’re not fast.” Graf, who is a Dragon Boat rower herself, will be hosting this year’s competition and won’t be able to join. Of the team’s competing this year, she expects Bugsay Boracay who took home three championships last year to do well, as well as another home team Camsur. Of the international teams, Graf is quick to name the Lamma Ladies of Hong Kong. “They’re our rivals,” she says quite proudly.

“It’s not about the individual alone,” says Cris Albert of Fila. “Fila supports sports that are team-based,” she explains. The allure of the race is how well everyone works together to succeed. Since 2001, Boracay has become home to the rigorous water sport and now to a competition that will bring in almost 1,300 people to the island, making it one of the biggest events to watch out for.

What are we to expect from this competition? “It’s going to be tough,” says Graf. “But also expect a lot of parties,” she finishes. After all, it’s going to be in Boracay.