Dapeng Bay International Sailing Regatta – 200 Sailboats Cross to Little Liuqiu

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin

 

The “2013 Dapeng Bay International Sailing Series” will begin on April 13 and 14 with the highlight event “Dapeng Bay to Little Liuqiu Crossing,” where over 200 elite sailors operating various types of sailboats and windsurfing boards will gather at Dapeng Bay for competition. On May 18 and 19, there will also be an international invitational regatta and a canoe marathon. More than 20 heavy sailboats from both domestic and international locations will set sail, crossing to Little Liuqiu and circumnavigating the island, showcasing exceptional sailing skills—this is the climax of the entire series.

The “2013 Dapeng Bay International Sailing Series,” organized by the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration of the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, will begin on April 13 and 14 with the thrilling “Dapeng Bay to Little Liuqiu Crossing” race. Top sailors from across the country will bring together over 200 various types of sailboats and windsurfing boards to compete in Dapeng Bay. On May 18 and 19, there will be an international invitational regatta and a canoe marathon. More than 20 heavy sailboats from home and abroad will set out to cross to Little Liuqiu and circle the island, demonstrating high-level sailing techniques, marking the highlight of the entire series.

 

In addition to the exciting races, this year also integrates 60 local businesses around Kaohsiung and Dapeng Bay, together with 100,000 copies of the Kaohsiung Go Tourism Passport, to launch a joint promotion offering up to 50% off (starting price) on food, drinks, entertainment, accommodation, and shopping, plus total value of nearly NT$30,000 in amazing deals and value-packed one-day tour packages. The tourism passport can be collected at the Flying Club Travel Agency counters at the High-Speed Rail stations in Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan, at the Kaohsiung Airport counter, at 509 7-11 convenience stores in Kaohsiung, as well as through Kaohsiung MRT, department stores, and other channels.

 

Taiwan’s first opening retractable scenic bridge, the “Pengwan Sea-Crossing Bridge,” will also open its movable bridge deck during the races. The spectacular sight of heavy sailboats passing through will attract many photography enthusiasts to capture historic moments. At night, the Dapeng Bay Administration will use at least 2,600 various LED lights to create a carefully designed “light sculpture” project. Through different lighting effects projected onto the main bridge tower, bridge sides, bridge belly, and bridge piers, the Pengwan Sea-Crossing Bridge under the night sky will resemble a rainbow spanning across Dapeng Bay.

 

Additionally, from April 20 to May 19, free water activity experiences are arranged every Saturday and Sunday. Participants only need to prepare five receipts (regardless of place or amount of consumption) to enjoy activities such as canoeing, wakeboarding, and riding heavy and medium-sized sailboats. During the competition days on April 14 and May 18–19, the first 200 people to check in each day will receive a trendy gift. The Dapeng Bay International Leisure Zone will also offer an extra promotion: bring three others and the fourth person enters free with a tourism passport. There will also be fun challenge games and tasting events featuring specialty local cuisine. From May 4 to June 30, coinciding with Pingtung County’s Blackfin Tuna Cultural Tourism Festival, food-loving travelers can also try one of Donggang’s three treasures—blackfin tuna.