South Island's grand canoe race: paddlers battle to land on the east coast

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

The South Island Cultural Festival, officially opening on September 8, will center around ocean canoes with a series of activities. Aside from the plank canoe and South Island large canoe landing ceremony on the opening day, the relaunched Orchid Island large canoe will depart from the international landmark at Taitung East Coast Park on September 9. It will sail along the route passing through Fugang, Xinlan Harbor, and Shan Yuan, finally arriving at the terminal Jintong Fishing Port—a total distance of approximately 32.5 kilometers. The event is recruiting 24 volunteers to experience the spirit of Orchid Island warriors and the thrill of paddling plank canoes across the sea. Registration is open until August 24, and the selected list will be announced on the event website on August 30.

The 2012 Taitung South Island Cultural and Arts Festival series of events will run from now until September 16, taking place at various locations including the Railway Art Village, Orchid Island Hongtou Tribe Beach, and Warehouse 261. Activities include street parades, plank canoe racing, and an Orchid Island Ocean Culture Art Exhibition. Before August 30, the Railway Art Village will also host live demonstrations of traditional canoe-making by teams from the Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, and Nauru. The opening ceremony at Huoshui Lake in Taitung City on September 8 will feature a beach landing competition between the Tao tribe’s “Visiting Canoe Si mangavang” and large South Island canoes handcrafted by international teams. That evening, the “South Island Welcome Night” is also planned, where indigenous artists such as the MATZKA band, Dai Ailing, Wang Hongen, and Minxiong will perform live.

Additionally, from September 11 to 16, from 14:30 to 17:30 each afternoon at Huoshui Lake, there will be South Island ethnic canoe experiences. The public can simply sign up on-site to ride a plank canoe. The event will also feature indigenous specialty product sales booths and an exhibition area showcasing canoes handcrafted by international teams. Event website: 2012nandao.gem-imc.com.tw.

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