Maggie's in the News - finews.asia - Paddles and Passion: Dragon Boat Spectacle Sweeps Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour turned into a roaring corridor of drums and spray this weekend as the «2025 Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races» drew thousands of spectators and paddle power from five continents.
The two-day festival (June 7 to 8) featured 19 fiercely contested races, 190 crews and more than 4,500 athletes, confirming the city’s place on the global canoe-sport map.
The East Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront became a carnival zone, blending centuries-old tradition with a sleek, modern skyline. Crowds clustered along the promenade for photo-friendly finishes while street performers, food stalls, and live DJs extended the buzz well beyond the water’s edge.
A Harbour in Full Bloom
A brand-new «Sun Life Elite Cup» stole early headlines. Twenty-one boats, crewed by the insurer’s advisers, staff, and partners, hammered down the 500-metre course, the Zojirushi squad seizing inaugural bragging rights.
The cup underlined Sun Life’s 16-year commitment to dragon-boat culture and its belief that teamwork on the water mirrors teamwork in finance.
Chief Executive Officer Clement Lam hailed the spectacle as «a testament to Hong Kong’s energy and our pledge to grow alongside the city», promising even more sport-meets-culture activations in the future.
Hope on the Water
Perhaps the loudest cheers, though, were reserved for the debuting «Move for Maggie’s Dragon Boat Team». Cancer patients, survivors, and their families –sponsored by Sun Life and Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre – climbed into the boat not just to race but to raise funds and a banner of resilience.
Their paddle strokes sent a «powerful message of hope», said Leong Che-Hung, Centre chairman, as donations flowed to support free oncology services.
Spectators witnessed tears, hugs, and triumphant selfies when the crew crossed the line, proving that participation, not podiums, can be the biggest victory of all.
Beyond the Races
Off the water, Sun Life’s city-wide campaign kept the momentum surging. A giant «Dragon Boat House» installation at K11 MUSEA became Instagram gold, while interactive games and giveaways rippled across social media, pulling fresh audiences into an ancient sport.
With boats on display, beats in the air, and skyscrapers glittering as dusk fell, the 2025 edition closed to thunderous applause – proof that Hong Kong can still choreograph a world-class party that honours heritage and hooks tourists in a single splash. Planning for 2026, organisers promised, is already underway.