Shizhi Sports and the Blue Club jointly organized the inaugural “Blue Cup” Family Fishing Tournament on October 22nd by the picturesque Egret Lake in Hanshiqiao Wetland Nature Reserve, Shunyi District. Numerous families actively participated, and the eco-friendly competition rules such as “catch and release,” “no baiting,” and “no barbed hooks” were well-received and endorsed by the participating families. Notably, the championship trophy, the “Blue Cup,” was designed and crafted by young sculptor Mr. Fan Yu. The winning family can keep it for one year, and the family that wins three consecutive championships can retain the “Blue Cup” trophy permanently.
In recent years, Shunyi District has been vigorously promoting a new model of eco-health tourism development. The launch of this family fishing tournament has set a benchmark and provided endorsement in aspects ranging from nature education and physical fitness to ecological conservation. By organizing sports events that allow people to connect with and appreciate nature, and by introducing advanced international concepts, the organizers have created a fishing culture exchange activity that aligns with local characteristics, laying a solid foundation for the future development of the new eco-health tourism model.
Fishing is a natural experience that brings families closer together. The majestic image of parents engaging with nature is deeply imprinted in children’s hearts. The harmonious and cooperative family atmosphere further enhances familial happiness. As autumn deepens and lotus leaves shelter plump fish, going fishing with your child in a competition themed around “protecting nature, observing nature, and enjoying nature” is a joyful and meaningful experience. It’s a chance to enjoy the vibrant colors of Beijing in autumn, breathe the fresh countryside air, and create lasting memories.
Catch and release is a key rule of this event. Through the competition, children learn the principles of coexisting with nature. At the sound of the referee’s whistle, all families cast their lines into the water. The rhythmic raising and lowering of rods made the once quiet competition venue increasingly tense and exciting. The children held their breath, eyes fixed, and with each rod movement and pull, a lively fish was caught. Yet, participants remained true to the event’s original purpose by releasing the fish back into Egret Lake. The atmosphere was filled with constant surprises and a shared pursuit of freedom.
The inaugural “Blue Cup” Family Fishing Tournament has become a new symbol of innovative eco-tourism services in the capital. According to staff from the Blue Club, the event’s organizer, all participating families adhered to eco-friendly fishing practices throughout the competition. Additionally, questions about the native fish species of Beijing were included as part of the scoring, allowing families to not only gain knowledge and get some exercise but also understand the importance of protecting native fish species for biodiversity.
After a day of intense competition, the tournament concluded at 4:00 PM. All families worked together to complete the event. Ultimately, the “Blue Cup” was awarded to Fishing Spot No. 18, which caught a carp measuring 51 centimeters — the best result. Using size as the scoring criterion helps reduce the time fish spend out of water and minimizes injury, ensuring higher survival rates for released fish. Participating families expressed their desire to return next year to compete for the champion trophy again, and many hoped to win it permanently to leave a meaningful mark in their children’s childhoods.
One of the organizers of this event, Shizhi Sports, was established in 2009 and is one of China’s earliest professional institutions engaged in research on sports tourism, providing comprehensive “sports + tourism” solutions for governments, scenic areas, and brands. It is committed to creating and promoting mass-participation-oriented comprehensive sports event (activity) platforms. With the support of professional organizations, the inaugural “Blue Cup” Family Fishing Tournament came to a successful and fulfilling conclusion.