Everyone remembers who brought them into dragon boating. That’s the person we shake our fists at and curse for introducing us to this world; a world where we spend hours commuting to the water, a mortgage-payment worth of money on parking, and one which causes us to pour ourselves into our cars, water dripping off our noses and running down our backs. It’s also the person we thank for bringing us into the fold of this amazing sport; one where age, gender, and weight, are far less important than attitude, effort and heart. Well, that’s true of the Portland Water Dragons, anyway.

Our group ranges from young-thirties to 80+ years young and each one brings a necessary ingredient to our recipe. Some of our team matriarchs have been paddling for almost two decades! We are a “motley crew” sort of team that feels more like a feisty family reunion than a group of once-was-strangers. This unlikely group of friends and athletes has been banding together over the past twenty plus years; finishing some seasons with heavy hearts and others with heavy medals.

Over those thirty years the team has found their own story, their own values, and their own vision. We lead with ridiculous jokes and encourage growth through supportive words and patience. Teammates help each other improve and celebrate the growth and success of each other.

When we do have an opening in the boat, it’s both very easy and very hard to fill that spot. It’s not enough to find a great paddler or a tall, strong person; it’s about who that person is. Will they fit in? Will they deliver not only a commitment to the team and give their best effort, every day with every single stroke – but will they be delightful? Will they be the kind of person that people love to sit cheek to cheek with on the boat? Will they cheer from the shore when they sit out a race? Will they delight in every success and forgive every shortcoming? If the answer is “yes” they just might have what it takes to be a Portland Water Dragon. And if they are lucky enough to be invited to the team, they will always remember who invited them into this amazing sport with this amazing family. May everyone find a team that fits as well as the Portland Water Dragons. See you next year; you know you’ll be back.