color boat
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Every year the Hong Kong Marine Department organize a dragon boat day for the local maritime community and on 5th June 2010, the Nautical Institute partecipated for the first time.
With insufficient numbers to man a dragon boat, we entered a team in the "colour boat"competition. Colour boats are smaller than dragon boat, but they can be operated with six paddlers and a coxswain, so they are more suitable for first tie entrants.
Unfortunately, we were drawn in the strongest heat of the day, against several younger and fitter teams, some of which had actually been practicing for months. The Nautical Institute team had never been in a boat together before, so te paddle to the starting line was somenthing of a learning experience, expecially for the paddlers who had thougth they were only attending as spectators. Despite these drawbacks, the team performed nobly, and were given one of the loudest cheer of the day when they crossed the line in fourth place in their heat. Despite the keen competition, the day is really an excuse for the maritime community to get together and enjoy soe fun and good fellowship whilst helping to keep alive one of our most colofur traditions.
Everyone who attended had a most enjoyable day , and agreed that our first appearance will certanly not be our last.