I happened to be at the lake in China, Guangdong, Zhaoqing on Friday the 18th of June as the Dragon Boat Races finally ran. The races were postponed several times through the week due to rain, and, par for the course, it was raining on Friday as well. However, we had a short break from the rain and they let the boats run. These photographs were taken at the fullest extent of my camera's detachable telephoto lens. It is sad how grainy they turned out, but the skies were positively black with storm clouds. The area where I was able to take these pictures was cordoned off by the Chinese Army, but a trusting captain, seeing the pin on my hat given to me by a special forces officer up on Shandong, Weihai, Wendeng; must have done the trick. He had one of the privates open the temporary gate they had assembled, and he radioed word ahead that I was to be allowed free run. Other than a few Army Guards, there was not another person in site. Later that night I got to drink a few beers with the team from Australia. We drank locally brewed Pabst, not Fosters. I hope you all enjoy the viewing as much as I did taking the shot, and drinking a beer with the Aussie's!