Paddle boarding proves popular in Gansu

LANZHOU — During the recent Spring Festival break, eight-year-old Wu Ze and his friends could be seen standing atop their paddle boards propelling themselves across a stretch of the Yellow River in Yongjing county, Gansu province.

Paddle boarding on the Yellow River has become a bit of a trend in the county in the past few years, with children and adults taking up the water activity in growing numbers.

Wu started paddle boarding with others and an instructor every morning and evening during his summer vacation last year, he said.

"In winter, I can still practice while wearing warm clothes, and the Yellow River just becomes my theme park," he added.

The boy's vigilant practice paid off recently with him claiming the title in the under 9 group at the 2024 China paddle boarding masters in Shizuishan, which saw over 300 people compete in the event in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region last July.

"I couldn't have won this title without my instructor, Wang Linhu. He helped me a lot," Wu said.

Wang, 51, was himself introduced to paddle boarding in 2020. "At that time, paddle boarders provided us with a safety guarantee for an outdoor swimming competition," said Wang, adding that he and his friends have since been attracted by the sport.

Wang said that both adults and children can more quickly get started as paddle boarders compared to other water sports. In addition, the boards and paddles are easy to carry. The boards are divided into inflatable boards and rigid boards.

"Our county is located in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, with good water quality," said Wang, adding that the banks of the Yellow River were mostly muddy with relatively few stones, making it safer to engage in the sport.

Wang has instructed a growing number of paddle boarders to become elite paddlers through his teaching and training, with the number having grown from a few to over 150 during the past few years.

"The youngest child in my club is only 4 years old," Wang said.

"The weight of a single board is about five kilograms, and children can also move it," he said, adding that a whole set of equipment is affordable for most families.

Wang believes paddle boarding allows children and parents to enjoy the process of improving and having fun together.

Bai Haochen, 11, from the city of Lanzhou, which is adjacent to Yongjing county, came to the county where his grandparents live in and taken up in paddle boarding.

"My grandson took the paddle and board by himself, and he gradually became better and more mature through the sport," said Zhao Yinglian, Bai's grandmother, adding that the adults were very happy to see the boy take up the sport.

In addition to paddling, participants can also play cricket, practice yoga and even walk their dogs on the paddle boards.

"I think all these extra activities add a fun and sporting charm to water sports and paddle boarding," Wang said.