The biggest canoe made on Orchid Island for 100 years, “Si Mangavang Visit,” successfully crossed the black current on June 29 after a solemn launch ceremony on June 25, arriving at Shangwu Fishing Harbor, Taidong. On June 30 it set off from Shangwu Fishing Harbor, heading along the coast of the Hengchun Peninsula, passing Xuhai and Chufengbi, before the crew of Tao braves took on the wild currents off Cape Eluanbi.  The “Si Mangavang Visit” arrived at Bitou Fishing Harbor ahead of schedule, fully displaying the spirit of adventurousness that is characteristic of a Tao warrior.

Marine National Park Headquarters said that Tao warriors love to challenge the ocean and they crossed the fast-flowing currents off Cape Eluanbi directly from Taidong, with two crews taking it in turns to row, before arriving at Bitou Fishing Harbor, Eluanbi. The Tao crew had to overcome big wave and sea-puss in the waters off Jialeshui, to which they responded by calling out a few times and increasing the frequency and depth of their strokes, propelling the canoe through the large waves at high speed. The crew stated after that this stretch of ocean is similar to that between Orchid Island’s Longmen Harbor and Little Orchid Island, so the waves and sea-puss didn’t actually present much of a problem. Marine National Park Headquarters said that the canoe speed reached almost seven knots even though it had to battle against big waves and broken waves, impressing even the men of the Coastguard.

The moment when they passed Eluanbi Lighthouse was the most significant of the journey so far, as it was the most southerly point known to have ever been reached by a traditional Orchid Island canoe. Accompanied by the white froth of waves and jagged coral rock, the power and rhythm of the Tao warrior crew‘s strokes moved people to tears.

Marine National Park Headquarters said that the “Si Mangavang Visit” is set to arrive in Taipei on July 16 and a grand “Orchid Island Cultural Performance” will be held where the canoe docks to which everyone who is interested is invited to attend.