TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The annual Taipei International Dragon Boat Championships, renowned for their spirited celebrations during the Dragon Boat Festival, took an unexpected turn this year as a video capturing a boat's erratic movements went viral. The incident unfolded during the races held from June 22 to 24 at Dajia Riverside Park, leaving spectators astonished and generating a buzz across social media platforms.
Hundreds of teams had eagerly signed up to compete in the traditional dragon boat race, a longstanding Taiwanese tradition. However, on the first day of the highly anticipated competition, the focus shifted to an extraordinary event unfolding in the left lane. Instead of following the designated straight path, one team inexplicably veered off course, making a sharp right turn and crossing all four lanes before finally rowing back to its original position.
A crew member later recounted the challenging conditions faced by the participants, citing strong winds and a formidable current that made it exceedingly difficult to maintain a steady course. Despite the disqualification incurred for violating regulations following the incident, the team members, who have actively participated in the dragon boat race for an impressive 13 years, expressed their unwavering commitment to the event.
Online reactions to the viral video were mixed, with some commentators expressing astonishment at the unprecedented display witnessed on the river. "I have never seen a dragon boat race quite like this," remarked one viewer, comparing the boat's movements to a caterpillar attempting to outpace a car. Others, however, applauded the team's ability to captivate audiences, asserting that their remarkable performance had secured them first place in the race to garner widespread attention.