One of my family’s eagerly-anticipated beach event takes place on Lamma Island this weekend.

Organisers of the 5th annual Laracy & Co Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival being staged on 15th May at Tai Wan To Beach, Lamma Island, Hong Kong announced today that a big turnout of forty-seven dragon boat teams, including a record of ten women’s teams, would be competing in this year’s race series.

“It’s a fantastic turnout of both local and expatriate teams,” said Event Director Brad Tarr of Thirsty Horse Premium Wines, “the beach is going to be rocking!”

“The Lamma 500 is one of the most exciting, colourful and friendly sporting events in Hong Kong but gives away nothing in competitive spirit.” said Mr Damien Laracy, at title sponsors Laracy & Co. “With forty-seven teams competing there’s going to be another wonderful day on the beach and the water.”

First staged in 2007 the Lamma 500 is one of the newest dragon boat races on the Hong Kong race calendar, but has quickly established itself as a firm favourite among paddlers for both its highly competitive racing over a full international race distance and it’s carnival atmosphere.

“The Lamma 500 is without doubt, one of the best Dragon Boat races in Hong Kong” said Antony Michell, Captain of last years finalists the Tai Tam Tigers and Chairman of sponsors The Henley Group. “We’re really looking forward to it!”

In addition to the 500 metre races, the Lamma 500 also features a 1,000 metre race which up to forty of the teams will also compete in. The 1,000 metre race was introduced in 2009 as an experimental fun race. Now most teams participate in the gruelling 1km race which offers first-place trophies for Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed team champions.

Dragon Boat Racing for Good

Children’s charity the Make A Wish Foundation are the official charity of the Lamma 500 and activities will be held during the day to raise funds for the fantastic work in Hong Kong of the Foundation.

The 2010 Laracy & Co Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Laracy & Co Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival, Schedule – May 15th 2011

9am First race

12.30pm 1,000m race

4pm Men’s, Women’s, Mixed finals

5pm Awards presentation

5.30pm Lamma 500 Beach Party

Entry for spectators is free and food and drinks are available at the beach.

Here are some images from last year’s Festival:

(Additional picture: LammaDragonBoat.com)

Cricketers from UK, Australia, Shanghai, Thailand and Hong Kong will be enjoying the camaraderie and competition of the 9th annual Hong Kong Cricket Festival this weekend (3-5th December) at Hong Kong’s newest cricket venue, Kai Tak Cricket Ground, site of the famous former airport.

The award winning Festival, part of the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour and hosted by Lamma Cricket Club, gets underway on Friday 3rd December at 1.30pm with a Twenty20 match featuring players from Shanghai Dragons & Pirates versus a combined Honourable Horse Artillery / CBB side in what promises to be an entertaining match up.

The sixes part of the cricket Festival will be played all day Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am to 5pm.

Spectators and supporters, possibly feeling Ashes fever, are very welcome to come down to the picturesque ground in Kowloon City and enjoy the atmosphere.

For further information see the tournament website at www.hkcricketfestival.com

Here’s a teaser from last year’s Private Capital Cricket Festival:

Summer is upon us here in Hong Kong and if you are looking to wet your toes in the Hong Kong waters after a long week at the office, why not head to Lamma Island’s Tai Wan To (Power Station) Beach this Sunday for the Laracy & Co Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival 2010. 

Organiser Mark Burns, who sometimes wears his other hat as the Tournament Director of the successful Hong Kong Cricket Sixes (won by South Africa last year) tells us that forty teams, including the athletic Boracay Bumshells team from the Philippines have entered this weekend’s Festival.

“It’s a fantastic line up of teams.” said Race Director Brad Tarr. “With strong teams such as defending champions the Island Paddle Club, plus the likes of the Boracay Bumshells, Stormy Dragons and the Lamma Dragons it’s going to be another really competitive Festival.”

First staged in 2007 this is the fourth annual Festival, also known as the “Lamma 500” due to its international race standard 500m course length. 

“The Lamma 500 is one of the most exciting, colourful and friendly sports events in Hong Kong but with a real competitive edge,” said Mr Damien Laracy, Principal at title sponsors Laracy & Company. “We’re delighted to continue our support for the event. “

The Lamma 500 is one of the most challenging and competitive races on the Hong Kong dragon boat calendar with deep, fast water on a course set against the incredible backdrop of one of the territory’s highest peaks, Mount Stenhouse, and the dramatic industrial landscape of the Hong Kong Electric Power Station. 

Securing its reputation as one of the most challenging races of the season, the Festival also features the only 1,000 metre dragon boat race to be held in Hong Kong. A record number of teams are expected to compete in this extreme race.

The Make A Wish Foundation children’s charity is the Official Charity of the Lamma 500 and will be organizing activities during the event to raise funds for their activities. 

The Laracy & Company Lamma 500 will take place from 9am to 6pm on May 16th 2010 and will be followed by the popular Lamma 500 Beach Party.

Entry for spectators is free and refreshments are available at the beach.

I heard that the coldest beer in Hong Kong can be found at Tai Wan To Beach on Sunday so I’ll be taking the kids to Lamma this weekend.  Hope to see you there!

Here is some footage from last year’s Lamma 500:

(Additional picture from RoyalX Team)