The 2014 edition of Cambodia’s annual traditional boat racing championship, which features international standard canoe and kayak races, launched yesterday off the banks of the Tonle Bassac river in Takhmao, Kandal province.

Like the Water Festival, the event hosted by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport was returning from a three-year hiatus and this time includes 20 international boats, of which three have female crews.

22-member male canoe crews and 12-member female canoe crews will compete in races over 500-metres and 1-kilometre distances. There are also individual men’s canoe and kayak races over 200m and 500m.