Trainees of Amathus Dragon Boat Club train in Liverpool, Britain, on June 20, 2023. David Bangs, founder of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
David Bangs (1st R) talks to trainees during a dragon boat training in Liverpool, Britain, on June 20, 2023. David Bangs, founder of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
David Bangs (C) and his teammates of Amathus Dragon Boat Club compete during 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Salford, Britain, on June 18, 2023. David Bangs, founder of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Team members of Amathus Dragon Boat Club compete during 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Salford, Britain, on June 18, 2023. David Bangs, founder of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
David Bangs (1st L) trains with trainees of Amathus Dragon Boat Club in Liverpool, Britain, on June 20, 2023. David Bangs, founder of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Trainees of Amathus Dragon Boat Club train in Liverpool, Britain, on June 20, 2023. David Bangs, founder of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
David Bangs (C) and team members of Amathus Dragon Boat Club compete during 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Salford, Britain, on June 18, 2023. David Bangs, founder of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
David Bangs (L) explains skills to his trainees of Amathus Dragon Boat Club in Liverpool, Britain, on June 20, 2023. David Bangs, founder of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
David Bangs (C) and his teammates of Amathus Dragon Boat Club compete during 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Salford, Britain, on June 18, 2023. David Bangs, founder of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
David Bangs poses for a photo with a flag of Amathus Dragon Boat Club during 2023 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival in Salford, Britain, on June 18, 2023. David Bangs, founder of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Trainees of Amathus Dragon Boat Club train in Liverpool, Britain, on June 20, 2023. David Bangs, founder of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, first became involved with the sport as a paddler in 1988 when he went to China's Fujian Province to compete in an international dragon boat race.
"This trip really opened my eyes to the wonders of dragon boat racing and I have been totally committed ever since, wanting to make our boats go even faster than the Chinese," Bangs said.
When Bangs returned from his "inspirational trip to China," he founded the Amathus Dragon Boat Club.
"Dragon boating is all about working together for your friends and putting your heart and soul into a race. ... You win or lose together. You share that camaraderie together. That's what dragon boat racing to me is all about," Bangs said. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
