Despite the sticky weather, teams on dragon-headed vessels in south China’s Guangdong Province sliced cleanly through the water once the whistle sounded. The beat of drums reverberated in the air and the audience could be heard cheering around the lake.

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A total of seven teams participated in this particular dragon boat race — an event that celebrates China’s traditional Dragon Boat Festival — in Houjie Town in the city of Dongguan.

“It is one of the main events of the year and the whole village is always thrilled,” said Wang Yingqiu, one of the paddlers, adding that the teams started training about a month ago.