Crowd-puller: Dragon boat rowers gunning for the finish line in one of the races at Straits Quay in Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Foreign visitors and dragon boat racing teams have lauded the Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta (PIDBR) 2024 as well as Penang for providing an exhilarating mix of great food, culture and hospitality over the shared passion for dragon boat racing.
“I have visited Malaysia, particularly Penang, many times before, but this is the first time I am seeing people from many diverse cultures and ethnicity converging like this in one place,” said Se Ling Wu, 35, from Beijing.
Wynona Smit, 28, from the Netherlands, who is visiting Penang for the first time, was impressed with the event held at the Straits Quay Marina for the very first time.
“It is magnificent and I think Penang is one of the best places to hold such an event,” said the human resource executive who is accompanying her boyfriend, a rower who is participating in the race.
“Apart from its beautiful scenery, Penang also has delicious food such as char kuey teow and nasi kandar.”
Japanese rower Toshinori Sako, 40, said besides taking part in the competition, he also took the opportunity to immerse himself in Penang’s rich cultural and natural attractions.
From the iconic George Town street arts to the serene beaches and lush greenery of Penang Hill, he expressed his admiration for the island’s blend of heritage and modernity.
“I’ve enjoyed every moment here, from the warm hospitality to the delicious food to breathtaking sights,” he said.
Faye Ibasco, 32, a staff broker from Manila, was thoroughly impressed with her first visit to Penang.
“Everything is so clean and well-organised,” she said, adding that she has also explored the island’s popular attractions, as well as its diverse cuisine such as chicken curry and beef rendang, which she found to have a delightful mix of flavours.
Another Filipino visitor Nina Bialen, 29, who accompanied her mother to the competition, said Penang has good food and friendly places.
“I feel very welcomed here although it is my first time to Penang,” she said.
Nina, a compliance manager at her hometown in Manila, shared that the diverse multicultural life in Penang is something that is difficult to find at other places.
Traditionally held at Teluk Bahang reservoir since it began in the 1990s, the annual event saw the participation of 61 teams from 12 countries, comprising about 1,600 rowers from China, Hong Kong SAR, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Malaysia, among others.
Joyce Jia, 30, from the Beijing International Dragon Boat Club, who has participated in the previous edition of PIDBR, feels that the race at Straits Quay Marina is a new challenge for her.
Team manager Mohamad Syafiq Uzir, 37, of the Penang Island City Council Paddlers, said his team aimed for a podium finish for the Malaysia Premier Open category this year.
“We are already in the finals and we are hopeful we can achieve a podium finish,” he said.
Organised by the state government with collaboration of the Consulate-General Office of China in Penang, and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), as main partners and sponsors, the competition also celebrates 50 years of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations.
In his speech, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said visitors could enjoy the unique combination of racing and waterfront activities at Straits Quay, with events like PIDBR showcasing Penang’s ability to blend tradition with modernity.
State tourism exco Wong Hon Wai said the regatta is a platform where culture, heritage, and international collaboration come together in celebration of the shared passion for dragon boat racing.
He said the new venue, made possible with the support of E&O (developer of Straits Quay), offered a stunning waterfront and good accessibility.
“By bringing the regatta closer to the public, the state government hopes to create a vibrant celebration that captures the essence of Penang,” he said.
Also present were Consul-General of China in Penang, Zhou Youbin, several state executive councillors, and state assemblymen.
Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak is scheduled to attend the event that ends today.
