The 2026 Suzhou Jinji Lake International Dragon Boat Race kicked off at Moon Harbor on Saturday morning. After 16 years of growth, the event has reached a new level this year — it has been officially included as a key event of the Yangtze River Delta Sports Season.

A total of 85 teams and nearly 1,800 rowers participated in the race, an increase of 16 teams and 298 competitors compared with 2025. Among the participants were five international teams comprised of members from 13 countries including France, Germany, the United States, Russia and Brazil.

Vipers Team. Photo/Gao Yuqing

"This is a very special race because it's home. And we call Suzhou our home, so we are always looking forward to this time of year, Dragon Boat Festival, and the race on Jinji Lake," said Tasmin from the Swiss International Dragon Boat Team Suzhou.

This year, France became the second country, after Austria, to develop a partnership with the Jinji Lake race. The dragon boat team of the Suzhou Youth Chamber of Commerce recently traveled to France to compete in the 4th France International Dragon Boat Festival, where they won the championship of the mixed group.

This edition marks the second year that the youth group has been included in the official competition, with the number of youth teams increasing to 16. Participants come from public schools, private schools and sports clubs across Suzhou. The thousand-year-old sport has become a living tradition passed on through younger generations, inspiring passion and teamwork.

Following intense competition, the champions of all groups have been crowned. The Wenzhou Chamber of Commerce Xinhu Zhijing Team won the 12-person men's open group; the Dragon Boat Team of Suzhou Industrial Park Institute of Services Outsourcing took first place in the 12-person women's open group; the AUO Kunshan Dragon Boat Team claimed the champion in the 12-person men's enterprise group; the Shazhou Youhuang Team triumphed in the 22-person mixed group; the XJTLU Affiliated School Junior High Team won the 16-person U12 youth group; the Dragon Boat Team of Kunshan Jinxi High School secured the title in the 16-person U17 youth group; and the Shanghai Huoyanlan Dragon Boat Team won the 22-person Yangtze River Delta group.

Jason, a member of Deep Dive, was very impressed during his first trip to the Jinji Lake race: "I can't believe how big it is here, and I'm really excited for the crowd, like people are so excited to be here and so are we." 

Beyond the races, the event also introduced a series of activities. The Dragon Boat × Football Showcase featured drone football, a motorcycle exhibition, a Pennsylvania steam train exhibition, water sports equipment displays, AR/VR interactive experiences and an AI painting exhibition. The Dragon Boat market attracted more than 220 vendors, offering visitors a wide range of experiences, including intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, seasonal food, cultural and creative products, and interactive activities.