TAKEO, Cambodia, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Under the blazing sun in southern Cambodia's Takeo province, a sprawling lake came alive this weekend as hundreds of locals raced dragon boats, reviving a vibrant, age-old regatta tradition for the Water Festival.
Framed by cheering crowds that lined the shores of Daun Keo city's Takeo Lake, 36 dragon boats and their crews turned the two-day weekend spectacle into a theater of pure speed. The banks erupted in roaring excitement each time a favored boat surged across the finish line, leaving its rivals in the wake.
For 22-year-old spectator Huch Sreynea, the spectacle was an electric bridge across the centuries. She told Xinhua on Sunday that she felt thrilled to see the vibrant boat races, adding that this regatta was held to honor Cambodia's naval forces of ancient times.
That living history dates back to the late 11th century during the ancient Khmer Empire, when naval forces honed their skills on the water.
Celebrated in the Southeast Asian nation, the Water Festival also marks the end of the annual rainy season and the unique seasonal reversal of the Tonle Sap River's flow, which connects the Tonle Sap Lake with the Mekong River.
For 20-year-old university student Chhin Lida, the festival does more than just keep ancient legacies alive -- it acts as a powerful magnet for tourism.
"This event also helps boost the provincial economy by attracting more tourists," she told Xinhua.
Walking through the bustling fairgrounds, Lida noted that the festival offered a rich tapestry of local flavors and sights -- from lively food stalls and "One Village, One Product" showcases to traditional arts and night-time fireworks.
At its heart, Lida reflected, the festival is a deep breath of gratitude: a salute to resilient ancestors who defended the realm, and a quiet "thank you" to the rivers and rains that sustain the land.
The excitement on the water was shared by the athletes themselves.
Ly Sophal, a 37-year-old dragon boat racer competing in Takeo province for the first time, proudly led a crew of 12 members.
"The regatta is an age-old tradition deep within the heart of the Cambodian people and a prime occasion to attract both national and international tourists to Takeo," he told Xinhua. "I am absolutely thrilled to see such massive crowds of spectators cheering us on."
Leang Chanthon, another 37-year-old competitor, echoed the fierce pride of the day. To him, every stroke of the paddle is a tribute to the past.
He explained that the regatta stands as a living monument to the Khmer naval forces who fought and triumphed over their enemies on these very waters centuries ago.
"It is vital for us to preserve this uniquely beautiful tradition for our younger generations," Chanthon told Xinhua. ■