IDBF Club Crew World Championship 2008

Dragon boat racing is a team sport that originates from China. The dragon boat is a long and narrow boat that combines the power, speed and endurance of 12 or 20 crew members in each team. During racing events, the dragon boats are always rigged with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails and carry a large drum on board. At other times, the decorative regalia are usually removed, although the drum often remains aboard fro training purposes.

The tradition of dragon boat racing in Penang, Malaysia can be traced back to 1934 when “unofficial” races were staged by teams from communities living at the waterfront.. The first Penang International Dragon Boat Festival (PIDBF) race was held in 1979 with local teams racing against teams from Hong Kong and Singapore. Since then, 28 PIDBF racing events have been staged in Penang successfully.

Penang’s bid to host the 6^th IDBF Club Crew World Championship 2008 (CCWC) was approved at the 10^th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) Congress on 5^th August 2005 in Berlin, Germany. This year, the Pearl of the Orient host the biggest dragon boat racing events ever staged in South-East Asia – the first Asian Club Crew World Championship and the 8^th Asian Dragon Boat Championships simultaneously at a scenic and beautiful fresh water reservoir, the Teluk Bahang Dam.

Stamps valued at 30sen, 50 sen, RM1 and Miniature Sheet valued at RM2

For this stamp issue, there are 3 designs of stamps and Miniature Sheet which portray the dragon boat race as a sport that promotes positive values including teamwork and friendship. Members from each team can be seen to be full of concentration at the respective roles; paddlers rowing hard to a synchronized drumbeat by a drummer and the steerer at the rear of the boat controlling the direction of the boat. Dragon Boat racing is an ancient traditional sport which is now shared and enjoyed by people all over the world.