The Harvard lightweight crews are on their way to Hong Kong, but there may not be any Scorpion Bowls when the squads get there.

Instead twenty-six members of the lightweight varsity and freshman crews, freshman lightweight crew Coach Robert Leahey and two "officials". Baird Professor of Science Dudley R. Herschbach and his wife. Georgene--are all journeying to the Orient on an all-expense paid trip to compete in the annual Dragon Boat festival.

There, the Harvard contingent will race against almost 90 teams from across the world in specially designed dragon boats in what's become an annual ritual throughout Asia.

The seventh annual festival, to be held June 10, has its origins in the fourth century B.C. The races are held to commemorate the death of Chu Yuan, a legendary Chinese poet and patriot who cast himself into the Mi Lo River in an act of protest. The races are a re-enactment of his tragic death.

Don't be too concerned, though, because it's all for fun, and the Harvard contingent that will be making its first appearance in the event is eagerly awaiting the opportunity.

"I expect it to be a colorful, special situation--a little like going to Mardi Gras in New Orleans," says Dudley Herschbach, who with his wife will act as the group's special liaisons between Harvard and Hong Kong.

"Our role will be to cheer people on, do a lot of shaking hands and smiling and act as general representatives of the United States and Harvard University," Herschbach adds.

Invited by the Hong Kong Tourist Association. Harvard will be one of just two American boats competing in the extravaganza that includes nine championship races and 14 prelimiaries.

The actual races should be quite similar to ordinary crew meets, Leahey says, and the 640-meter course should take about three minutes to complete.

The major difference is the boats, with the dragon version 43 feet long, 5 feet wide and 22 inches high. It also carries up to 24 rowers, along with a taikong(coxswain) who beats a drum in tempo and an oarsman at the rear.

The boats all have a green dragon head, with yellow and red dotted horns at the stern, and a green tail at the bow. The rowers sit double-banked using small paddles.

In a ceremony two weeks ago, Fa Yun, a Buddhist abbot, chanted, sprinkled water on the boat and "dotted the eyes" of the dragon. Harvard Athletic Director John P. Reardon, Jr. '60 helped in the ritual, which was designed to bestow good luck and good fortune upon the Harvard dragon boat.

The Hong Kong Tourist Association, which organized the good luck sendoff, will along with the Harvard Club of Hong Kong sponsor the team in part when it arrives in Hong Kong. The two groups will provide the boat, as well as several parties.

United Air Lines is providing the transportation for the Harvard contingent, most of whom plan to stay in Hong Kong for nine days before returning home.

Reardon, however, says he's been careful to avoid problems of commercial endorsement. "It's a fine and difficult line to define what is too commercial and what is not," Reardon says, "It will be interesting to see how they react to the trip. I think it should be great fun."