The Penang International Dragon Boat Festival is a major sporting event in Malaysia. The first Penang Boat Festival was conducted in 1956, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Georgetown. In the early instances of the competition participation was limited to teams from Malaysia, but overseas teams were permitted to enter the competition from 1979 onwards.

Presently the popular festival attracts entries from around the world, including contestants from the USA and Europe. In fact any team affiliated with the governing body of the sport, the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) may join the competition. No less than 62 nations are recognized in the IDBF.

The sport of racing dragon boats is an intense and exciting competition. Two or more boats compete with one another in heats which involve distances of up to 2,000 metres. Boats are decorated in the traditional manner making them strikingly attractive. Every boat features intricately carved representations of the head and tail of the legendary Chinese dragon, giving them a distinctive appearance.

Boats are crewed by a team of up to 20 paddlers who face the direction of travel, in contrast to Western rowing competition where rowers face the rear. At the front of the vessels sits the drummer, facing the paddlers, providing the rhythm for the rowing. Meanwhile a tiller, or ‘sweep’ sits at the rear, steering the vessel.

Success in the sport requires not only endurance and strength, but also precision teamwork to coordinate the motion of the boat. It is not surprising that dragon boat racing continues to gain new enthusiasts across the globe with its intense competition and friendly rivalry.