Forty-seven Teams Line Up for this Weekend’s Laracy & Co Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival

May 9, 2011 - PRLog -- Media Release
10th May 2011
Hong Kong

Forty-seven Teams Line Up for this Weekend’s 5th Laracy & Co Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival!

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 Chinese 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.

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.

Laracy & Co Lamma 500 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.

For further information and Lamma Island ferry schedule see www.lamma500.com

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About the Laracy & Co Lamma 500
The Lamma 500 is one of the most challenging and competitive races on the Hong Kong dragon boat calendar. Staged on Lamma Island’s Tai Wan To Beach it offers a deep, fast-water 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 Company.

‘The Lamma 500’ known for its International-race standard 500-metre course length, is a celebration of Hong Kong’s Dragon Boat history. Staffed and supported by the Lamma Island Fishermen’s Recreation and Sports Association, The Laracy & Co Lamma International Dragon Boat Festival blends the history of Lamma’s sea-faring community with the present-day competition of local Hong Kong teams and international guest competitors.