Racing Into the Spotlight: NAC Dragon Boat Team at San Diego DB Festival
On March 7th, the NAC dragon boat team made waves at the 14th Annual San Diego International Dragon Boat Festival, competing in the Women’s, Competitive, and Community Divisions. The event brought together more than 50 teams from across the West Coast, and every team brought a fun-loving atmosphere on shore and a fierce competitive spirit to the races. The Santa Ana winds added some extra challenge to the races, but everyone pushed through the headwinds all the way to the finish line. It was a beautiful start to NAC Dragon Boat’s racing season for 2026.
Three Divisions, Two Medals, One Team
Our team used the guidance of Coach Jeannette to make a strong showing at the race. Race Manager Skylar kept the team organized through some back-to-back heats, and our exceptional steers Tom and Kathryn guided us through windy waters to get to the start line. Once the horn sounded, our strokes set a determined pace and launched us forward, and our drummers Karen and Skylar kept spirits high throughout every race. Our determination paid off: our times got faster as the day progressed, and we even broke the one-minute mark in a few heats! The day culminated in silver medals for both the Community and Women’s divisions, giving us tangible proof in our team’s hard work.
Reflections & Looking Ahead
This festival was a reward for our teams’ patients and perseverance. For the past five months of the off season, our Coach Jeannette has been helping us practice a stroke technique with patient returns and powerful catches. It was fitting practice for this race: we had to be patient and relaxed when lining up the boats, but once our paddles hit the water, every stroke counted. And like all good races, our team stayed in sync on and off the water: we helped carry each other‘s paddles, shared food during rest periods, and were there for each other, every step of the way. As race captain I feel so much gratitude and excitement: gratitude for everyone’s team, spirit and dedication, and excitement for the rest of this year’s racing season.
Sound Like Fun? Join Us on the Water!
Interested in being part of the action? The NAC dragon boat team is always looking for new paddlers and supporters. Whether you’re experienced or new to the sport, come paddle with us and experience firsthand what teamwork and community feel like on the water! Our Sunday practices meet at 8:15am on the NAC washdeck (the actual one, not this blog); contact our team captain Skylar for questions at Skylar.thoma@gmail.com.