The Liede dragon boat team from Tianhe made its international debut at Auckland's 186th-anniversary maritime celebration on Jan 26. The team won the mixed small boat championship, placed second in large boats and finished third in both the women's and men's small boat events.

Rowers from the Liede team drive their paddles in unison during the race. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

This marked the first appearance of a Chinese dragon boat team at this major New Zealand event. The 48-member team hails from Liede village, a community historically recognized as a flagship urban village in Guangzhou. This deep-rooted community tradition underpins their extensive training and competitive pedigree.

Team selection follows strict criteria, requiring male members to be village residents who pass physical and rowing evaluations. Their training regimen prioritizes technical precision and crew coordination.

During the competition, the team demonstrated excellent synchronization and a well-executed race strategy. The event also served as a platform for cultural exchange between the sister cities of Guangzhou and Auckland, highlighting how dragon boat racing can bridge international communities through a shared sporting tradition.

Paddlers from Guangzhou and Auckland share a moment of camaraderie after the race. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]