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2025 Tainan Canal Canoe Challenge and National EMBA Canoe Invitational
The 2025 “Tainan Canal Canoe Challenge and National EMBA Canoe Invitational” was grandly held on October 12 at the Anping ARGO Yacht Marina in Tainan. The event was co-organized by the NCKU EMBA Alumni Association and the Lohas Ocean Maritime Academy, with the NCKU EMBA Marine Sports Club serving as the main organizer. Canoe enthusiasts and EMBA alumni from across Taiwan gathered for this lively event, which infused Tainan’s autumn with the vibrant spirit of the sea. Tainan Mayor Wei-Cher Huang personally attended to cheer on the participants, joining citizens in celebrating the energy of the city’s waterways and showcasing Tainan’s achievements in promoting sports tourism and aquatic recreation.
Mayor Huang remarked that Tainan, renowned as Taiwan’s cultural capital, is also a livable city enriched by abundant marine resources. In recent years, the city government has actively advanced canal restoration and marine recreation projects, integrating sports, tourism, and urban development to create a distinctive “Salute to the Sea.” He warmly invited visitors nationwide to make the most of the holiday weekend by coming to Tainan—enjoying canoeing on the canal, tasting local cuisine, and experiencing the city’s warmth and charm.
Tainan’s canal network, steeped in history and culture, provides a unique setting for water sports. The Anping Canal, in particular, captures the harmony between nature and urban life. This year’s Canoe Challenge and National EMBA Invitational combined Tainan’s excellent water conditions with well-developed facilities to promote canoeing and water sports while supporting Taiwan’s national “Salute to the Sea” initiative. The event encouraged citizens to engage in aquatic recreation, strengthening public participation in water-based sports and establishing Tainan as a leading destination for marine sports and cultural tourism.
The 10-kilometer racecourse followed the Tainan Canal, Taiwan’s longest man-made waterway, passing 12 bridges and seven iconic landmarks. Starting from Anping ARGO Yacht Marina, participants paddled counterclockwise along the canal, passing Jianxin Bridge, Leli Bridge, Angong No. 4 Bridge, Yonghua Bridge, Xinnan Bridge, Jinhua Bridge, New Lin'an Bridge, Lin'an Bridge, Wangyue Bridge, Chengtian Bridge, and Anyi Bridge, before completing the route at Yuguang Bridge. Along the way, competitors enjoyed scenic views of The Spring, The Blessings from the Whale, Harborside Historic Park, Lin Mo Niang Park, the Replica Ship of the Taiwan Chenggong, Anping Navy Destroyer Museum, and Eternal Golden Castle—transforming the race into an extraordinary waterway journey through Tainan’s history and beauty.
On October 11, the marina opened for practice sessions, followed by a festive “Canoeists’ Night” banquet, where EMBA participants from across the country mingled and encouraged one another. The evening’s highlight was a live performance by Siao-Cheng Kong, a Golden Melody Awards-nominated tenor and one of Taiwan’s “Three Great Tenors,” whose passionate singing electrified the audience.
The official races began the next day. The morning EMBA alumni competition emphasized the integration of academic exchange and sports tourism, while the afternoon open group encouraged broader public participation in water sports, embodying the ideal of “A Nation Embracing the Sea.”
As the host team, the NCKU EMBA participants delivered an outstanding performance—winning the Group Championship, Women’s Double Championship, Mixed Double Championship, and Mixed Double Third Place, while also sweeping the top three positions in the Men’s Double category. The event concluded successfully with the awards ceremony. Many EMBA alumni praised the Tainan Canal Challenge as both a physically rewarding competition and a memorable experience that deepened connections among alumni. They expressed hope to gather again next year, continuing this tradition of fellowship along Tainan’s historic waterways.
Mayor Huang remarked that Tainan, renowned as Taiwan’s cultural capital, is also a livable city enriched by abundant marine resources. In recent years, the city government has actively advanced canal restoration and marine recreation projects, integrating sports, tourism, and urban development to create a distinctive “Salute to the Sea.” He warmly invited visitors nationwide to make the most of the holiday weekend by coming to Tainan—enjoying canoeing on the canal, tasting local cuisine, and experiencing the city’s warmth and charm.
Tainan’s canal network, steeped in history and culture, provides a unique setting for water sports. The Anping Canal, in particular, captures the harmony between nature and urban life. This year’s Canoe Challenge and National EMBA Invitational combined Tainan’s excellent water conditions with well-developed facilities to promote canoeing and water sports while supporting Taiwan’s national “Salute to the Sea” initiative. The event encouraged citizens to engage in aquatic recreation, strengthening public participation in water-based sports and establishing Tainan as a leading destination for marine sports and cultural tourism.
The 10-kilometer racecourse followed the Tainan Canal, Taiwan’s longest man-made waterway, passing 12 bridges and seven iconic landmarks. Starting from Anping ARGO Yacht Marina, participants paddled counterclockwise along the canal, passing Jianxin Bridge, Leli Bridge, Angong No. 4 Bridge, Yonghua Bridge, Xinnan Bridge, Jinhua Bridge, New Lin'an Bridge, Lin'an Bridge, Wangyue Bridge, Chengtian Bridge, and Anyi Bridge, before completing the route at Yuguang Bridge. Along the way, competitors enjoyed scenic views of The Spring, The Blessings from the Whale, Harborside Historic Park, Lin Mo Niang Park, the Replica Ship of the Taiwan Chenggong, Anping Navy Destroyer Museum, and Eternal Golden Castle—transforming the race into an extraordinary waterway journey through Tainan’s history and beauty.
On October 11, the marina opened for practice sessions, followed by a festive “Canoeists’ Night” banquet, where EMBA participants from across the country mingled and encouraged one another. The evening’s highlight was a live performance by Siao-Cheng Kong, a Golden Melody Awards-nominated tenor and one of Taiwan’s “Three Great Tenors,” whose passionate singing electrified the audience.
The official races began the next day. The morning EMBA alumni competition emphasized the integration of academic exchange and sports tourism, while the afternoon open group encouraged broader public participation in water sports, embodying the ideal of “A Nation Embracing the Sea.”
As the host team, the NCKU EMBA participants delivered an outstanding performance—winning the Group Championship, Women’s Double Championship, Mixed Double Championship, and Mixed Double Third Place, while also sweeping the top three positions in the Men’s Double category. The event concluded successfully with the awards ceremony. Many EMBA alumni praised the Tainan Canal Challenge as both a physically rewarding competition and a memorable experience that deepened connections among alumni. They expressed hope to gather again next year, continuing this tradition of fellowship along Tainan’s historic waterways.
Canoe enthusiasts and EMBA alumni from across Taiwan gather to compete in the event
Tainan Mayor Wei-Cher Huang attends in person to cheer for the participants
The race follows the Tainan Canal, covering a total distance of approximately 10 kilometers
Photo: Competitors paddling along the scenic Tainan Canal during the race
