CYC dragon boat team rides the wave of success
The Community Youth Center of San Francisco dragon boat team continues to inspire with their recent string of victories at major dragon boat festivals. Its three consecutive gold medals mark a historic first for the program, which for almost 25 years has cultivated youth leadership, self-empowerment, resilience, and teamwork.
The team knew they had a big season ahead, including their first-ever international competition. Eyes on the prize, they kicked into high-gear back in February, maintaining a rigorous regimen and extending their practice sessions to three hours each.
The effort and focus paid off: the team won first place at the California Dragon Boat Association Youth Race this spring, with a victory that served as a tribute to late and beloved coach Brendan Lam. The team then went on to clinch first-place finishes in the high school mixed category at the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival in Vancouver and later at the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival in California.
Coach Kevin Chen said, “Our victory at the Youth Race was not just pure luck; it was through hard work and dedication that we were able to win Vancouver and Long Beach. We’ve come a long way and I’m proud of how much we’ve grown. I’m proud of them for not giving up because the moment they give up is the moment they let someone else win.”
This year, the California Dragon Boat Association awarded scholarships to CYC youth and dragon boat captains Davina Liang and Alyssa Lee for their leadership and commitment to the dragon boat community. Liang spoke at the recent grand opening for the CYC Richmond Community Hub, remarking:
“This accomplishment most certainly could not have been reached, had it not been for the resources and the space that the CYC office had afforded us… Through rain or shine, we had a place to show up and put in every extra bit of work we could, allowing us to build not only our physical strength but also our mental, with determination and grit. Simply, the CYC space allows our team to become closer-knit, which we believe was a key ingredient to our successes… It was also a safe space for us to come in after school, maybe work out for a bit (if we wanted), and then spend the rest of our time hanging around other members of our team. Many times, the room had a variety of people inside, those completing homework assignments, those chatting with others, and those who were paddling. Whoever you were, and whatever you came to do, you were always welcome to.”
The CYC dragon boat program organizes diverse middle school and high school aged youth in San Francisco to compete in dragon boat races throughout California. It is the only community-based team in the city. The program trains youth to be leaders through a peer-to-peer mentorship model where youth are empowered to lead practices and take ownership of the team. Deep bonds are forged that can last a lifetime.
CYC Executive Director Sarah Wan praised the team’s accomplishments: “Our dragon boat program is a shining example of how CYC nurtures leadership and builds strong community ties. These young athletes exemplify what it means to lead with heart. We congratulate them on their spirit and dedication, and their well-earned achievements this year.”
We look forward to many future victories, large and small, collective and individual, to celebrate.