In a lakeside amalgamation of sport, party and ancient tradition, The Macau International Dragon Boat Races will be commencing Saturday 23, much as they have each spring for over 2,000 years.

Among the world’s oldest organised sports, the origins of dragon boat racing are lost in myth. Traditionally, the races were held in China just once a year, to commemorate the ancient myth of Qu Yuan, as part of the annual Duanwu Festival. Now a fast-growing international watersport, dragon boat racing will soon be making a bid for inclusion in the Olympic Games.

At this year’s Macau races, over 140 teams are slated to compete, with international challengers hailing from China, Australia, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Singapore, USA, Malaysia, and Dubai. Men’s and women’s races will be held in the 250m, 500m and 2000m categories. Expect a raucous crowd of over 20,000 spectators to gather along the shores of Nan Van Lake.

If you’re of the seen one longboat seen them all opinion (water sports aren’t for everyone, after all), worry not. There will be plenty to feast your eyes and appetites upon shore side. Vendors will be hawking an assortment of traditional festival delihgts – including zongzi in all flavours. Dancers and magicians are scheduled to give shows. And the souvenir stands will be selling an assortment of dragon boat memorabilia for kids.

Ancient yet modernising, parochial but proliferating, here’s a chance to witness a sport and a party that evokes all the rich history and brilliant contradiction of China today.