Rowing invitational brings together global elite teams

The waters of the Dasha River in Nanshan District came alive with the sights and sounds of oars slicing through the water as 10 international high-level rowing teams from nine countries, along with nine elite teams from China, converged for the Dasha River Rowing Invitational on Oct. 26.

Teams from Australia, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, and Italy joined their counterparts from China's Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao to compete in the 500-meter race.

A member of Amsterdam’s Nereus Rowing Club was particularly taken by the river’s “stunning” scenery, comparing it favorably to other famous competition venues around the world.

“The rivers and trees here are beautiful, and the park’s scenery is always a delight,” the Dutch rower said, expressing his hope to compete in Nanshan more frequently in the future.

An Australian rower from Melbourne’s Mercantile Rowing Club echoed the sentiment, stating, “We are very excited to be here. The competition is intense, and the skill level of athletes from all over the world is exceptional. We’ve enjoyed this experience and hope for more opportunities to come to China to compete.”

A Swiss rower reflected on the cultural aspect of the competition, noting, “The cultural experience is a vital part of this event. It has allowed us to witness the swift progress of Chinese rowing and deepened our understanding of Chinese culture. We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to more international competitions in China.”

The event extended beyond the racecourse, with team members invited to explore the historic Nantou Ancient Town and the cutting-edge DJI flagship store. These excursions provided a glimpse into the rich history and technological prowess of Nanshan.