【Information Times】SYSU pioneered the optional course of dragon boating

Source: Information Times 2013-10-29 Page C10

Written by: Kuang Ningdan

Translated by: Zheng Sida

Edited by: Wang Dongmei

Have you imagined that dragon boating in Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center can become a university course? Recently, journalists of Information Times learned that Sun Yat-sen University became the first university in Guangdong province to offer the optional course of dragon boating. This course once was selected by only one student, but after attending five classes, the students said that although it was painful and exhausting, they felt a unique pleasure, and it was a “painful and enjoyable” experience.

According to Zhao Yunlei, the teacher in charge of the dragon boating course, it is an option of the compulsory physical education courses. Among the universities in Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, SYSU is the only one that offers the dragon boating course, and there are few similar courses in domestic universities.

When asked why SYSU offers such a course, he answered that the Guhe river running through SYSU East Campus is too shallow for rowing, but appropriate for dragon boating.

This year’s dragon boating course has two class periods each week. 22 students (10 boys and 12 girls), who are all freshmen, have selected this course, and these girls have become almost as strong as the boys.

Though dragon boating is not very popular among the public, Zhao Yunlei emphasized that it is a meaningful sport for students to improve their physical qualities and willpower. “I am not simply teaching students to master a skill, but helping them realize their potential and never give up through learning dragon boating.”