Kassel University Sports on an international mission: the rowing regatta in China

On October 24, 2024, the Kassel University Sports team landed in Hong Kong. After arriving at the airport, the participants were warmly welcomed by a shuttle service, which took them directly to their accommodation in Shenzhen. In the evening, the group had dinner together at the accommodation, where they exchanged first impressions and discussed the coming days.

Friday, 25 October, began with a carefully planned program by the Carry Karriere organizers. The morning was all about preparing for the upcoming regatta: the team tested the rowing course on the Dasha River to familiarize themselves with the local conditions. Lunch was then served at the hotel before cultural and technological highlights were on the agenda for the afternoon.

A visit to the renowned company DJI, a global leader in drone technology, offered fascinating insights into innovative developments. The group then explored an ancient city in the heart of Shenzhen, which impressed with its traditional architecture and vibrant history. The day culminated in a magnificent reception gala with a varied entertainment program, where the participants had the opportunity to meet other teams and representatives of the organization.

The highlight of the trip was the regatta on Saturday, October 26, 2024, on the Dasha River. Kassel University Sports competed with five rowers in three different racing classes: a mixed double four (4x mixed), a men's double scull (2x) and a women's double scull (2x). The heats took place in the morning, in which the teams qualified for the final races. The finals were held in the afternoon, followed by a large-scale award ceremony. The results of the Kassel team were impressive: The women's double sculls took third place, while the men's double sculls and the mixed quadruple sculls both came fourth. The strong competition was particularly noteworthy, including Olympic participants from Spain and teams from a total of 12 countries.

After the award ceremony, there was a final meet-and-greet with young Chinese people who were interested in rowing as a professional sport. Experiences were exchanged and new contacts made. The day ended with a joint dinner at the hotel.

After the sporting part of the trip, the group returned to Hong Kong on Sunday, October 27. Here, the participants spent three more days exploring the city and its surroundings on their own. Highlights included a visit to the Tian Tan Buddha, a trip to a waterfall, walks through Hong Kong's vibrant city center and a detour to a picturesque fishing village.

a picturesque fishing village. These experiences offered the opportunity to experience the diverse culture and impressive nature of the region.

The trip ended on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, with the return flight to Germany. Departure was at 23:50, so that the group was able to travel home with many new impressions and memories.