Thailand to Host IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships 20-25 August 2019

The 14th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Dragon Boat Racing Championships will take place in Chonburi, Thailand next month.

Over 4,000 athletes from 30 countries are expected to take part in the event from 20-25 August at the Mabprachan Reservoir, Bang Lamung District in Chonburi. The reservoir is approximately 135 kms from Terminal 21 in Bangkok, and 12.2 kms from the Terminal 21 shopping mall in Pattaya.

It is the first time that the IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships will take place in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Admiral Chaiyarong Chareonrak, President of the Rowing & Canoeing Association of Thailand, said, “This is a great opportunity for Thai rowing athletes to increase their experience, represent their country, and become top athletes. This major world-class sporting event will also showcase Thailand as a hub for sport tourism and will generate much needed income for Pattaya and the local communities around the Mabprachan Reservoir.”

The beautiful country of Philippines will have its largest ever contingent in the history of the world championships, and they are hungry for success.

Over the years, the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation has done extremely well in the 200 meters Premier Open category. In 2009, with a time of just 40.02, they managed to beat their own record of 41.91 that they had set in Sydney two years earlier. That record stood until 2017 when China beat the time at the World Championships in Kunming.

Suhod Hakim, Head Coach of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, said, “It is great that we will once again compete in the IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing Championships as we did not take part when it was held in Kunming two years ago. We love Thailand, it's a beautiful country with friendly people and delicious food, so I know we are going to have a lot of fun there. Just like our last participation in Welland, Canada in 2015, we will have a Masters Team consisting of athletes aged 40 years and above. With so much experience, we have a great chance of winning this event!”

See also: Pictures of Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek 2019, Pictures from Top of the Gulf Regatta 2019 in Pattaya and Pictures from King's Cup Elephant Boat Race & River Festival.

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