http://www.hellowesttravel.com/reportages.php?sequence_no=35050!!!HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE HOST DRAGON BOAT CELEBRATION DINNER
On the same day that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge bring some royal glamour to the sport on Prince Edward Island, some 120 dignitaries, tourism and trade representatives and keen paddlers celebrate the False Creek Racing Canoe Club’s triumphant return from the Hong Kong International Boat Carnival
Vickie Sam Paget
The winners return: Coach Brad Howie, captain Kerry Chow, captain Louise Lamb, manager Shen Gad, and chair Jas Kalsi
The atmosphere at Vancouver’s Victoria Chinese Seafood Restaurant last night was jubilant, to say the least.
Not only was the room brimming over with the camaraderie, pride and winning spirit of the False Creek Racing Canoe Club’s (FCRRC) top dragon boat paddlers – but it was glistening with medals and trophies too.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Canada hosted the sumptuous dinner to celebrate the Canadian team bringing 16 trophies and five plates home from Hong Kong – including two gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
Captain Kerry Chow
Eight teams travelled to Hong Kong to represent Canada at the International Dragon Boat Carnival from June 17 to 19.
HKETO’s director in Canada, Maureen Siu, congratulated the triumphant team on their big win: “Welcome back to the group of champions from the International Dragon Boat Carnival in Hong Kong,” she smiled.
“In just about every district in Hong Kong you will find dragon boat racing. I am very proud to say that Hong Kong started this international festival and turned one of its local activities into a worldwide competitive sport.”
Coach Brad Howie
The 2,000 year old sport was first introduced to Canada during Expo 86 at Vancouver’s False Creek. “We have come a long way,” added Siu, “Dragon boat racing has taken root in Canada. It is very popular in this country.”
Sui went on to describe the many attractions of Hong Kong – attractions that captivate some 36 million visitors each year: “That’s more than the population of Canada,” she added.
“Hong Kong is the culinary capital of Asia and it’s also the world’s best shopping centre. Nowadays it is also the world’s auction centre for wine, fine art and rare gems. But besides shopping, I hope that visitors will also take time to enjoy the nature-side of Hong Kong, because over 40 per cent of the area is designated as country park. Most people don’t know that Hong Kong is a place where you can enjoy the beauty of nature.”
Sui also took the opportunity to announce that she will be leaving her post in Canada to return to Hong Kong at the end of the summer. Her replacement is to be announced soon.
“I would like to bid farewell to all of you all because my tour is ending in August. It has been a privilege for me to be able to represent Hong Kong in Canada and to work and live in this beautiful country.”
Manager Shen Gad
Michael Lim, the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s director for Canada Central and South America, FCRCC’s dragon boat team captain Kerry Chow, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South Wai Young, MLA for Richmond-Steveston John Yap, and Vancouver City Counsellor Kerry Jang then all took turns at the podium to congratulate the team and to award numerous gifts to those involved with the organization of the dragon boat team’s trip to Hong Kong.
“I would like to congratulate the dragon boat team for their achievements. I hope that you enjoyed yourselves and saw the city - and I hope that you spent some money!” joked Michael Lim.
He went on to explain that last year some 404,000 Canadian travellers visited Hong Kong, and that he is confident that this year’s event calendar – the Halloween Treats Festival, November’s Wine Month and Dine Month and December’s Winterfest – will ensure that just as many Canadians visit the city in 2011.
Wai Young said that she remembered when dragon boat racing first came to Vancouver in 1986: “I’m very pleased to see that 25 years later this has become a sport that is enjoyed by so many.
“Today, in Prince Edward Island of all places, dragon boat has taken on a new dimension as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge brought even more coverage to this wonderful, wonderful sport.
“Through strong team effort and immense dedication, the False Creek team has brought home an impressive 16 trophies and five medals. As the Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate the False Creek club on their spectacular success.”
MLA John Yap stated that he was proud of the way the team had represented British Columbia in Hong Kong. He also took the opportunity to say a fond farewell to Sui: “She’s leaving us after a great career stint - capably, admirably and professionally representing the interests of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.”
Chair Jas Kalsi
Counsellor Kerry Jang congratulated the dragon boat team captain Kerry Chow and concluded the speeches with a humorous quip bout the team’s impeccable conduct in Hong Kong: “On behalf of Mayor Gregor
Robertson and all of Vancouver City Council, we want to congratulate all the dragon boaters for being such fantastic ambassadors for the city of Vancouver. You brought home the gold; you didn’t cause a riot in Hong Kong – so we’re very happy!”
