SIX teams of 12 members each braved windy and dusty weather to put their paddling skills to the test in Bahrain’s fourth dragon boat race yesterday.
Dressed in colourful attire, the participants raced across a 200-metre stretch of water to the sound of drum beats.
Sea Warriors Dragon A was crowned the winner, followed by Mabuhay Paddlers A and CMF Corsairs.
The other three teams were Mabuhay Paddlers B, McDonald and Seas Warriors Dragon B.
The race, at Bahrain Bay, was organised by the Bahrain Rowing and Canoe Centre (BRC) in collaboration with Tamarran, a Bahraini sports app.
“The BRC was set up to give back to the community, and the race is a social enterprise devoted to getting non-Bahrainis and Bahrainis reconnected to the water,” said BRC public relations head Elham Al Shakar.
“We want to connect everyone who lives on this island to the water and for us to be known as an island that really excels in maritime sports.”
The centre has five development initiatives which include a children’s and academic programme and a para athletes programme, among others.
“If you have any sort of disability we encourage you, support you and get the equipment for you to train here,” said Ms Al Shakar.
“If you are a naturally gifted athlete but you come from a low-income household we provide you the support and we’ll sponsor you.”
However, BRC programmes are not confined to just rowing as it also develops ecology-conscious programmes aimed at reducing water and plastic pollution along with protecting maritime heritage.
“We are trying to protect our Khaleeji culture related to both our maritime history and things that are particularly intangible such as our songs.
“We are more of a platform rather than a club.”
Ms Al Shakar said a larger turnout and more teams are expected to take part in the upcoming races in September.
Watching the race on water yesterday was Philippines Ambassador Alfonso Ver who has attended all the dragon boat races since they began in January.
“They started off with their own shirts and were unco-ordinated but now it is becoming more organised, and we really hope the dragon boat race becomes part of the sports calendar of Bahrain,” he told the GDN.
“Hopefully, it will attract tourists and more international competitors and make Bahrain a hub for Dragon Boat racing.”
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