Dragon Boat Regatta: University of Hong Kong team win double victory

KUCHING: The University of Hong Kong Dragon Boat Team’s unwavering commitment to year-round training, even through the chilly winter months, has paid off.  Competing with a team of 32 at the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta 2024, they proudly clinched victories in both the Mixed Premier DB20 and Open Premier DB12 categories.

Isabella Wong, captain of the team, emphasised their dedication to consistent training.

“We train three times a week-on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays-without fail. Even in winter, we maintain our training schedule,” she told Sarawak Tribune at the Kuching Waterfront on Sunday.

Wong highlighted how this consistency fosters perseverance and strengthens team cohesion.

“We truly enjoy every training session together, and I believe that’s the key to our success,” she added.  Expressing their excitement about being in Kuching for the first time, Wong shared that their experience has been wonderful.

“We’ve had a fantastic experience here. The locals are incredibly kind and down-to-earth. Winning first place in both the men’s small boat and the mixed standard boat categories is a tremendous honour for us,” she said.

Wong also mentioned the diverse experience levels among her teammates.

“Most of us are graduates who have paddled for 8 to 10 years, while some are just starting out with less than a year of experience. Our ages range from 18 to the early 20s,” she explained.