The water sport of dragon boat racing is a tradition based in ancient Chinese culture, commemorating the life of beloved poet and patriot Qu Yuan, who died by suicide in the Miluo River in 278 BCE.
It evolved into a modern international sport in the 1970s, after Hon Kong hosted the first commercial race, followed by the creation of the International Dragon Boat Federation in the 1990s.
In Southern California, Long Beach’s annual Dragon Boat Festival has grown into one of the largest competitions in the state, drawing in competitors from across the West Coast.
See how it’s combining athleticism and tradition.
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