Purification of the boats by Master Man Mu of Nan Hua Buddhist Temple
and the Blessing by Goddess Mar Tzu, Goddess of the Sea
Eye-Dotting, throwing of rice dumplings & beating of the waters
Feb 5th 2006

Purification by Master Man Mu of Nan Hua Buddhist Temple

Arrival of Goddess Mar Tzu, Goddess of the Sea This is the first time in a decade that the Goddess has left her temple Taipei Liaison Office Director General Mr. Chin-Ray, Liu, watched by one of the Goddess's two generals, helps to carry Goddess Mar Tzu as she blesses the boats

Throwing the rice dumplings and beating the waters (Shane got a bit carried away and broke his Gray Owl paddle!) and finally, a ceremonial race, against a howling south-easter broadside on!

DRAGON BOATS DRIVE SPECTATOR INTO SEA A spectator was driven into the sea by two fast paddling dragon boats on Sunday 5 July 2006 while race marshals and police stood by, watching and laughing ... click here for video (1.3meg) Gino's exerpt from the SABC3 news bulletin !

picture contributions are welcome, email to wcdba@dragonboat.org.za

The story of the Goddess Mar Tzu