A dragon boat crew in Suzhou City became unexpected heroes this week after rescuing a stranded kitten during their training session along the Yangtze River tributary. The incident occurred on December 24 when team members noticed distressed meows coming from the water's edge.
Team captain Zhang Wei recounted: 'We were practicing turns near the old canal district when our drummer spotted something moving in the reeds. At first we thought it was a water bird, but then we saw this tiny orange kitten clinging to a rock.'
The athletes immediately suspended their training, carefully maneuvering their 12-meter vessel against the current. Using their paddles as makeshift rescue tools, they created a stable platform to lift the shivering feline to safety.
This heartwarming rescue comes as Suzhou prepares to host the 2026 Dragon Boat Asia Cup, with teams intensifying their training regimens. Local authorities have praised the crew's quick thinking, noting the river's currents can be particularly strong during winter months.
The rescued kitten, now named 'Longzhou' (Dragon Boat), has been adopted by a team member's family. The incident has sparked renewed discussions about urban wildlife protection in China's rapidly developing water towns.
