The Globe Paddlers are an international group of women who are members of the American Women's Association of Hong Kong (AWA), which is a non-profit, charitable organization. As a voluntary organization of women, we support Hong Kong charities, United States Naval Service members traveling to Hong Kong, as well as providing educational programs with local government schools through community servi
ce and monetary grants, while also providing educational and social activities for our members. Membership in the AWA is open to all women who reside in Hong Kong, regardless of nationality. As a truly international organization, the AWA has over 800 members representing 35 countries around the world. Tuen Ng commemorates the drowning of Chinese poet Qu Yuan, who, according to popular legend, drowned himself in Hunan province 2,000 years ago in protest at what he saw as corrupt rule. As local residents rushed to rescue him, they loudly beat drums and threw dumplings in the river to drive away hungry fish. Eventually, dragon boat racing, with its pounding of drums and flurry of paddles, became a traditional activity on this day. The Dragon Boat Festival is nowadays celebrated all over the world, for many it is a very entertaining and exciting festival, and for others, dragon boat racing is a fiercely competitive event. And nowhere more so than in Hong Kong, which attracts hundreds of international teams and hosts a series of events and races throughout the summer months. The Team - The Globe Paddlers are made up of approximately 24 women from all around the world. The team trains on the water for most of the year, cancelling practice only for typhoons. The team has gained momentum over the years, winning the Stanley International Ladies Cup for the past 5 years. There are multiple competitions each season, culminating in a major international competition during Tuen Ng Festival, a public holiday in Hong Kong celebrating the dragon boat racing tradition
