2025 HL Pacific Int’l Dragon Boat Festival Opens; Mayor Hsu and Global Teams Eye 2026 CCWC

(中央社訊息服務20251103 11:15:49)The 2025 Hualien Pacific International Dragon Boat Festival launched spectacularly at Liyu Lake, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County, running from October 24 to 26.On the evening of October 24, Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei, Political Deputy Minister Cheng Shih-Chung of the Ministry of Sports, International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) President Claudio Schermi, and Legislator Fu Kun-Chi attended the opening ceremony at the Hualien County Gymnasium, energizing the crowd and cheering on the athletes. The atmosphere was electric as teams prepared to take to the water. Over the three-day regatta, more than 3,000 paddlers from 12 countries are competing. An international panel of nearly 60 race officials is overseeing the races, ensuring fair, transparent, and professional adjudication throughout the event. Mayor Hsu extended her best wishes to all the competitors, encouraging them to perform their best and enjoy the spirit of the sport. She also warmly invited all attendees to experience Hualien beyond the races, encouraging them to step in, explore deeply, and fall in love with everything the county has to offer.

Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei remarked that elite dragon boat teams from across Taiwan and around the world have gathered at Liyu Lake for the 2025 Hualien Pacific International Dragon Boat Festival. She reflected on the momentum built since August 2018, when Hualien’s team brought home a gold medal for Taiwan at the Asian Games in Jakarta. Since then, Hualien has continued to invest in the sport, turning its scenic lake into a premier destination for both domestic and international paddlers. Thanks to strong support from the Ministry of Sports, the Hualien Water Sports Training Center has upgraded its facilities and expanded talent development programs. These efforts have helped build a solid foundation for the sport at the grassroots level, while also highlighting Hualien’s dynamic spirit through the integration of sports, education, and youth entrepreneurship. In recent years, the Hualien County Government has also worked to strengthen tourism. This year, direct flights between Hualien and Hong Kong launched on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, cutting travel time between the two destinations to just 90 minutes. And a new direct flight to Incheon, South Korea, is scheduled to launch on November 13 and is expected to bring even more Korean visitors to Hualien. Additional international routes are also in the pipeline, further boosting Hualien’s visibility on the global stage.

Mayor Hsu noted that in addition to the thrilling races at Liyu Lake for the 2025 Hualien Pacific International Dragon Boat Festival, the Hualien County Stone Sculpture Museum is currently hosting a special exhibition titled “Impressions on Stone: Echoes of Light and Shadow.” This international showcase features over 50 jade and stone artworks by artists from seven countries, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural beauty of Hualien. Looking ahead to tomorrow, the Hualien County Government, in partnership with the Tzu Chi Foundation, will hold the “Veggie Run Cup” jogging event. Meanwhile, the Hakka Industry and Craft Expo will open at the Hualien Hakka Cultural Park, highlighting the region’s creative industries and traditional craftsmanship. Mayor Hsu emphasized that Hualien is a county abundant in sports, tourism, and cultural richness, framed by magnificent mountains and ocean landscapes. She extended a warm welcome to athletes and guests from around the world, inviting them to immerse themselves in the passion of dragon boat racing and the spirit of teamwork in a breathtaking natural setting. She also encouraged visitors to take time outside the races to experience more of what Hualien has to offer. During the day, guests can cycle around Liyu Lake or enjoy water activities like stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking. In the evening, she recommended a visit to the Hualien Dongdamen Night Market or the Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park, where the region’s vibrant cultural life and natural charm come alive. Hsu concluded by reaffirming that Hualien will host the 2026 CCWC and warmly invited everyone to return next year to Liyu Lake for another unforgettable celebration.

Cheng Shih-Chung, Political Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Sports, stated that this year’s 2025 Hualien Pacific International Dragon Boat Festival also serves as the official test event for the 2026 CCWC—a full-scale warm-up for next year’s world-class regatta. The 2026 championships are expected to bring over 8,000 athletes and their families to Hualien. Cheng praised Hualien as a truly beautiful destination, adding that he feels a sense of joy each time he visits. He extended his best wishes to all the athletes for outstanding performances and encouraged everyone to take time outside the competition to fully enjoy the natural beauty and cultural richness of Hualien.

Claudio Schermi, President of the IDBF, described Liyu Lake as a truly picturesque venue, adding that this year’s regatta holds special meaning as it also serves as the official test race for the 2026 CCWC. He emphasized that the spirit of dragon boat racing is rooted in teamwork and expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the partners, staff members, and volunteers whose dedication made this event such a success. Their efforts, he said, have built strong momentum and confidence for next year’s championship. This visit marked Schermi’s first time in Hualien, and he shared his hope that it would become an unforgettable experience. He concluded by wishing everyone joy in the excitement of dragon boat racing and all the memories it brings.

The opening ceremony of the festival began with an energetic and uplifting performance by the Tongmen Elementary School Dream Drum Team from Hualien County. Blending lively samba rhythms with the Taroko “Rainbow Bridge” legend and traditional Indigenous songs, the group embraced the theme of “art in motion, drumming with happiness,” spreading joy and positivity to everyone in attendance. The celebration continued with a special performance by acclaimed singer Rachel Liang, who delivered three heartfelt ballads: “Slow Down,” “Don’t Be Friends After We Break Up,” and “What That Girl Told Me.” Her warm and soulful vocals filled the venue with emotion. Singer Lin Chin also took the stage, performing “Love You,” “This Is For,” and “Heart in Bloom,” bringing a fresh energy to the evening. Adding a dynamic visual element, the Only Dance Middle Eastern Dance Troupe performed two captivating routines: “Veil-Ball Fusion” and “Modern Drum Dance,” showcasing a unique blend of movement, music, and cultural expression.

The Hualien Pacific International Dragon Boat Festival is more than a sporting event. It serves as a vibrant platform for tourism promotion and international cultural exchange. Through this year’s regatta, Hualien welcomes the world with its stunning blend of mountains and sea, offering a powerful display of Taiwan’s passion and vitality as an “Island of Sports.”

The Hualien County Sports Association announces that, in an effort to bring the excitement of dragon boat racing to a wider audience, this year’s festival partners with DAZN Taiwan to provide multi-platform live coverage of the event. The races kick off on October 24 at 8:30 a.m. with the preliminary heats, broadcast live on Channel 73 (CH73). That evening at 6:00 p.m., the opening ceremony is simulcast on YouTube and DAZN, allowing audiences across platforms to take part in the celebration. Coverage continues on October 25, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with the repechage (second-round) races, airing on MOD Channel 211 (CH211), followed by the semifinals in the afternoon. The competition reaches its peak on October 26, the highly anticipated finals day. The morning session begins at 8:00 a.m. The afternoon session starts at 1:00 p.m. and features the championship races and awards ceremony, broadcast live in full by DAZN Taiwan. Whether watching in person or tuning in online, audiences around the world witness not only the intensity of the races but also the breathtaking beauty of Hualien’s natural landscapes.

The opening gala of the 2025 Hualien Pacific International Dragon Boat Festival was graced by a distinguished roster of guests, underscoring the global importance of the event. Among those in attendance were Cheng Shih-Chung, Political Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Sports; Legislator Fu Kun-Chi; President Claudio Schermi, Secretary General Peter Tang, and Marketing & Media Commission Chair Belinda Chung of the IDBF; Jason Chen, Chair of the Competition and Technical Commission; Gavin Chian, Chief Judge; Ko Cheng-Liang, Chief Referee; and Chang Chao-Hung, Technical Delegate. Also present were Chen Chung-Min, Director of Legislator Fu Kun-Chi’s Constituency Office; Dibus Ilai, Lin Cheng-Fu, Wu Chien-Chih, Hu Jen-Shun, and Lin Tse-Shi, members of the Hualien County Council; Wang Chin-Te, Chair of the Chinese Taipei Dragon Boat Association; Chang Juan-Han, Chair of the Hualien County Hotel Association; Feng Hsien-Yi, Director of the Liyu Lake Station under the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administration; and Tsai Shuh-Hsiang, Secretary of the Hualien City Office. Principals from various local schools and athlete representatives also joined in celebrating this milestone moment as Hualien stepped confidently onto the global stage.