It is always a pleasure to write a few words for the annual Stanley International Dragon Boat Races and this year this is especially true, with Stanley Officials helping with the re-organization and branding of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association and indeed also officiating at the Hong Kong International Races. 

Outside of the Stanley Races the organisers have been proactive in producing their own fibre glass dragon boat paddle, made to the latest IDBF Specifications and approve by the IDBF.  Other projects have included the very successful photographic competitions and the ever increasing popularity of the Stanley Short Course Races. 

So sit back and watch the racing to come at the Stanley International Races and remember that there is much more to Stanley Dragon Boating than you see before you on the water, there is an active and vibrant team of people looking to support and develop the sport in Hong Kong too. 

I wish all the crews and their competitors every success in the races to come and thank the sponsors of the Stanley Races for their support of our sport and congratulate the  Race Organisers on their hard work in making the Stanley International Races the spectacle that they have become. 
 
Mike Haslam
IDBF Executive President