A large crowd from across Jamaica and overseas witnessed a highly successful second Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival in Port Royal on Saturday and Sunday (June 13–14), and they were not disappointed. This year featured more races and faster times, thrilling spectators gathered along the glistening Kingston Harbour. A total of 54 races were contested over the two days, with 16 races on Saturday and the remaining events on Sunday.
Official teams from the more experienced Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago competed against Jamaica for the Caribbean Cup in the second-to-last race on Sunday, drawing loud cheers from supporters. The Bahamas captured the Caribbean Cup with a winning time of 1:06.24, ahead of Trinidad & Tobago, which finished in 1:11.59. Jamaica placed third in 1:15.07.
Bahamas team captain Patrick Kluck expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance.
“I think we did well. We did what we came to do and we wanted to win it, and that’s exactly what we did. We felt good. Our times were good. The water was a little difficult, but we’re used to that kind of difficult water in the Bahamas because we’re in the ocean just like this, so it’s not as controlled.”
Kluck also indicated that his team plans to return next year.
“We’ll be back here again next year, and we’d love to see more Jamaican teams coming up to the Bahamas for their festival as well. It would be great fun.”
The highest-placed Jamaican team in the Open Category – Division A was the Chinese Embassy in Jamaica, which secured third place with a time of 1:09.02. The category was won by the Bahamas’ BahaMar Buoys and Gulls in 1:02.24, while Trinidad & Tobago’s Vanguards finished second in 1:07.60.
Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica Wang JinFeng praised his team’s achievement.
“I think this is the second time that the Chinese Embassy sends a Dragon Boat team to the Jamaican Dragon Boat Festival. I’m very glad that our team won the bronze medal. I think they created their best record in performance. I’m very satisfied with my team, and I’m even more glad that my team contributed to the friendship between China and Jamaica.”
He credited teamwork and extensive preparation for the result.
“I think teamwork is the most important. They trained very hard, three times every week. I think the teamwork made a great record and a great contribution.”
The Vanguards (1:09.72) captured the Mixed Category – Division A title. JDF Wave Riders, who were joint overall race winners last year, finished second in 1:10.24, while McKay Security placed third in 1:12.46.
In the Women’s Category – Division A, Hydra claimed victory in 1:19.50, ahead of Port Royal Blazers (1:20.62) and the Generals (1:24.39). The event featured exclusively Jamaican teams.
The BahaMar Buoys and Gulls posted the fastest times of the two-day competition. Their best performance of 58.07 seconds came in Open Race Knockout 7, followed by another sub-one-minute finish of 58.95 seconds. They were the only team to break the one-minute barrier in the 200-metre races.
Vincent Chang, chairman of the organizing committee and past president of the Chinese Benevolent Association, expressed his satisfaction with the festival’s success.
“It was very good. I think everything cooperated, even the weather—a little bit hot, a little breezy—but we got everything done. I thought we got a fairly good-sized crowd on Saturday and a steady crowd on Sunday. Today we had 18 teams competing in three classes of races. I think we have done wonderfully, and it shows that Dragon Boat racing is going from strength to strength. This is only our second year.”
The opening ceremony on Saturday featured the traditional “dotting of the eye” ritual, a distinctive Chinese custom performed before major events.
Sponsors supporting this year’s festival included Grand Hotel Excelsior (venue sponsor and former Morgan’s Harbour Hotel), the Chinese Community of Jamaica, Lasco, Wisynco, NCB, ATL Automotive, National Bakery, Mayberry Investments, iPrint Ja, East ROC, and Afresh Supermarket.
