In Sanya, China Family Sailing Race boosts water economy

The two-day 2026 China Family Sailing Race wrapped up with a bang on June 28 in Sanya, the coastal resort city in China's southernmost Hainan province.

With its theme of "one race, a family journey", the event made the most of Sanya's prime coastal resources — merging competitive sailing with family bonding and education.

The race proved extremely popular, attracting 33 family teams from 28 cities across China, totaling over 500 participants.

It not only helped revitalize the legacy of the Asian Beach Games, but also gave a boost to Sanya's water economy.

The races themselves were thrilling, while the organizers also offered a variety of activities during breaks, like sailing quizzes and art contests for kids and their folks.

Fourteen schools organized family projects and 39 organizations participated in interactive quizzes — turning the hard-fought race into a coastal celebration for everyone.

This year's competition was more diverse and innovative than previous ones, blending local culture with family fun for a great social time.

All in all, it highlighted Hainan's cultural heritage by incorporating traditional elements like Li brocade and coconut carving into the set sailing-themed activities — allowing families to experience the region's very special culture.

The event also featured special activities, including a sailing-themed arts and crafts exhibition open to all families and spectators, with voting taking place for the most creative works.

A number of interactive games focused on maritime culture and family harmony — and a dedicated coconut water station was set up at Haihong Square, offering a warm welcome to all participants.

Held at the main venue of the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026, the event benefited from top marina facilities and the vibrant energy of the post-Games era, providing the perfect springboard for hosting it. 

Li Yang, deputy director of the Sanya municipal bureau of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports, was delighted with the result.

Li noted that the event managed to turn high-end sports resources into a cultural and leisure experience for all — showcasing a healthy blend of lively public sports and a lively cultural tourism scene.

With all the advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Sanya plans to continue leveraging the legacy of the 6th Asian Beach Games. This will help promote water sports, deepen the integration of "events + culture and tourism + education" and expand the coastal sports tourism industry.