"kyōtei" Boat Race

Other popular types of motor boat racing include circuit racing and drag racing. Circuit racing takes place on closed courses, often around islands or other landmarks. Drag racing, meanwhile, is a straight-line race between two boats. The distinctive form of hydroplane racing called kyōtei is one of just a few types of gambling allowed under Japanese law. Proceeds from races are used to fund local municipalities and support the activities of nongovernmental organizations.

One theory suggests that a Ryukyun prince was studying in Nanjing, China, when he saw the local Chinese doing these races. Upon returning home, the prince made his own Sabani, and soon afterward, local Okinawan fishermen made theirs too to be used for fishing and later for racing competitions. These races were banned when Japan made the Ryukyuan Kingdom one of their prefectures. The races were temporarily revived until 1928 when it was once again abolished. Dragon boat races wouldn’t become a permanent yearly event until 1975. One of Okinawa’s biggest annual events, the Haarii festival runs over three days, and attracts more than 150,000 spectators.

Powerful races, as you can see throughout the video, are sometimes called "water martial arts." "BOAT RACE and the City │ Boat Race PR （BOAT RACE and the City │ボートレースPR【ボートレース公式 BOATRACE official】）" is a PR video work that allows you to enjoy the power of boat racing. According to the ancient Chinese imperial calendar, the Dragon Boat Festival was held in the Fifth month , it is known as a popular seasonal disease outbreak period -- summer, which commonly known as "evil" in the old days. During this time, all acting in the aim of keeping with the principle of rest, otherwise, people will get sick easily. We tried various ways of predicting winners – we listened to the engine noise to try to pick the best boat; we looked at the statistics for each racer; we chose the racer wearing our favorite color, etc.

Up until 2012, they were also permitted to use their own propellers. Once a race begins, boats fight for the best position entering the first turn marker. Race winners are often decided on the very first turn of the race.

The Okinawa-style dragon boats are elaborately carved and decorated in bright colours, with a dragon’s head facing skyward at the front, and a tail at the back. These dragon boats can hold 32 rowers, along with a crew of drummers, gong beaters, and flag bearers. Spectators purchase betting tickets known as funaken, with payouts divided from a collective pool; winnings, minus a percentage for the course operator, are paid in proportion to wagers. Due to the spread of the COVID-19, horseracing has continued without live spectators since 29 February, but online betting slips have fared well. Albert Wong, the late chairman of the Alberta Dragon Boat Race Foundation from 1992 to 1999. The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is on May 5 in the lunar calendar, it is the most important summer holiday in China.

Typical earnings for the top 300 racers are higher at ¥34 million, with some making as much as ¥100 million. Similar to other water and land-based motorsport where a minimum dry weight requirement includes the driver, rules require men to weigh in at 50 kg or more, while women must weigh in at 47 kg or more. If any competitor is short of the minimum weight, their boat will be loaded with additional ballast weight to compensate. Competitors are assigned an engine and a boat at random to use for race day. Competitors can tune their own engines between the exhibition run and the race.

See a celebration of Okinawa’s rich nautical history at the Naha Haarii, or dragon boat races. Every May during Japan’s Golden Week, the Naha Haarii transforms the Nahashin Port into a battle zone, as dragon boat teams compete in high-energy races. Hydroplane boat racing is one of a few varieties of public wagering allowed under Japan’s strict gambling laws. Other types include horse racing , bicycle racing , motorcycle speedway (ōtorēsu), and lotteries.

By the time I opened my sake, the sun was directly overhead, and the sun’s rays were 競艇 surprisingly strong. The sake was good, but went directly to my head due to the sweltering sun and the mask, which we were reminded by staff to wear between sips and bites. Haarii festivals took place to pray for a good catch as well as for the safety of fishermen who traveled great distances in sabani’s in very rough sea conditions. Numerous dragon boat races take place each year in Okinawa, but here we will only cover the Itoman and Naha Haarii. The tradition of dragon boat races in Okinawa and other parts of Asia came from the days when fishermen would pray for safe journeys, give thanks for a good catch, and celebrate healthy and prosperity.