Dragon boat racing at the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta on Monday, January 26 is set to be the biggest yet, with well over 500 paddlers lining up at Viaduct Harbour.

More than 40 local teams will race, joined by four visiting crews from China.

Recent years have typically drawn around 360 paddlers, making this year’s turnout a clear lift in scale and energy.

Organisers expect the bigger field to deepen the competition and create a stronger spectacle for spectators along the Viaduct waterfront.

The visiting crews from the Guangzhou Liede Dragon Boat Team will be the first China-based dragon boat team to take part in the regatta.

Around 50 paddlers and supporters are travelling from Guangzhou, Auckland’s sister city, with the Auckland Dragon Boat Association and Auckland entrepreneur Wayne Huang helping bring the team to Auckland.

Regatta Chair Bill Lomas says dragon boat racing has become one of the most exciting and accessible parts of the day, for both participants and spectators.

“Seeing the number of teams and paddlers grow, and welcoming international crews for the first time, shows how the regatta is continuing to evolve,” he says.

Dragon boat racing runs from 8.30am to 5.00pm at Viaduct Harbour.

It sits alongside the regatta’s wider programme of on-water events, including classic yachts, sailing dinghies, keelboats, launches, tugboats and radio controlled yachts.

For Coasties heading into the city for the long weekend, it’s a full day of fast-paced racing and a lively waterfront atmosphere.

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