Suzhou Creek in Shanghai came alive over the weekend with the rhythmic strokes of nearly 400 rowers participating in an elite regatta. The event, which featured three major categories for youth, masters, and university participants, showcased a lineup of 37 competition categories, ranging from single sculls to eight-person coxed shells. Participants, spanning from 15-year-old youths to experienced masters aged over 60, raced along a 1,000-meter section of the waterway near the Luding Road Bridge in Putuo district, known for its heritage buildings from China's earliest national industries.

Among the international participants was Brazilian rower Alex Sanches, an international student pursuing a Master's degree at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Sanches, a rowing enthusiast, expressed his delight at the growth of the sport in Shanghai, noting the increasing number of rowing clubs and competitions in the city. He particularly praised the new location at Suzhou Creek, describing it as "an iconic river" that provides a picturesque setting for the championship.