By Xinyi Li, EDITOR

He lives by the south of the Yangtze River and works at the north. Although the straight-line distance is over 1,000 meters, separated by the river, he generally costs nearly one hour to work. If somebody could walk on water, the time cost to cross the river would be several minutes. Liu Fucao, a young fellow from Wanzhou, paddles across the Yangtze River to his workplace every day.

Liu Fucao, a young fellow from Wanzhou District, takes a racing paddle to work every day

Unbelievable speed, reaching the opposite bank after six minutes

At 8:15 that morning, Liu Fucao started to cross the river with everything prepared. He put the left foot on the paddle, leaned forward the body, and knelt on it with the two legs. As the paddle rushed forward, his movement range was increasingly larger. Liu was gradually far away from the starting spot. And six minutes later, he successfully landed the opposite bank. After work, he usually paddles back home from there.

He is looking for a perfect position to get aboard

What he takes is a racing paddle, mainly for competition use. Thus the moving speed is relatively fast, and he only takes six minutes to cross the river. By contrast, the speed will be much slower with an ordinary inflatable paddle.

He is preparing for getting aboard

He is checking the life vest

Why does he go to work by racing paddle?

Liu Fucao said that he lived on Chenjiaba Sub-District of Wanzhou District, south of the Yangtze River. Last July, when the Second Wanzhou Yangtze River Bridge was under maintenance, the ferry, disappeared for years, operated again. But there were so many people queuing up to take it to cross the river every day. What’s worse, it cannot directly reach his workplace, so Liu had to transfer to another bus again. People can cross the river by ferry, and he usually paddles across it too. Then, how about going to work by racing paddle? Liu Fucao soon put the idea into practices.

The safety rope on feet is the key point for paddle

Never imitate at will

Though the way of Liu to cross the Yangtze River indeed saves energy and time, you shall never imitate him at will. Cui Yunchuan is the Director of Yuzui Law Enforcement Team, Chaotianmen Marine Department of Chongqing. He said that people should not cross the river with their own daily-use boats. The Regulations of the People’s Republic of China Concerning the Administration of Traffic Safety on Inland Waters regulates related behaviors. In addition to the potential hazard to people’s own security, illegal behaviors will also affect shipping safety. And the relevant departments will warn or criticize anybody who goes against the issued regulations in a circulated notice.

Besides, the common ships shall not cross the river without license or approval. To hold aquatics and other group activities alike, people should prepare ahead of time and practice within specified safe waters.

Liu Fucao often participated in paddle competitions

Source: Chongqing Evening News