Thousands of Australians take to Dragon Boat races for Chinese New Year celebrations

SYDNEY, Feb. 20 (People’s Daily Online) -- Thousands of Australians took to the waters for the annual Dragon Boat races in Darling Harbour, Sydney, which closed out Sydney’s Chinese New Year Festival this weekend.

Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore said the Dragon Boat Races are always a highlight of the City’s Chinese New Year Festival.

“A symbol of good fortune and a sign of intense power, the dragon boats are an impressive sight as they surge through the waters of Cockle Bay,” said the Mayor.

“The competition attracts community groups and competitive sports teams, people of all ages and experience levels take part in this spectacular annual event,” she said.

The 12-metre long boats are decorated to feature the head and tail of a dragon, a hull painted with dragon scales, and paddles to represent the claws.

This year, Dragon Boat Racing attracts many charities. World renowned Australian neurosurgeon, Professor Charlie Teo, skippers a celebrity crew to join the biggest dragon boat race regatta in the southern hemisphere for charity.