More than 60 dragon boat teams compete at Hamilton Waterfest

It’s a sport that demands strength, but even more importantly, teamwork. This weekend, more than 60 dragon boat teams gathered at Hamilton’s bayfront for the annual Waterfest regatta.

“When the horn goes off it’s chaos but it’s controlled chaos,” said Matthew Carroll, team captain of the Toronto Mofos. “So the thought is, as much power as you can get, but with control.”

Today, colour, cheers and 60 teams charging off the start line took over Hamilton’s bayfront as paddlers from across Ontario raced into the first day of Hamilton Waterfest.

It takes about two tonnes of boat and crew working as one to make a dragon boat fly.

“When the entire boat is moving together, it’s so smooth and graceful is the word,” said Jackie Taggart of Lively Dragon. “Everybody just moves together and the boat just feels like you’re flying on top of the water, instead of in the water.”

Taggart’s team, Lively Dragons, helped launch the very first Hamilton Waterfest two decades ago. Now organized by Alkame Dragon Boat Services, the two-day regatta has grown into one of the biggest events on Ontario’s dragon boat calendar.

“We got 60 teams participating all weekend,” said Scott Murray of Alkame Dragon Boat Services. “Today is all mixed teams, mixed gender. Tomorrow we’ll have all women’s teams and then what we call open teams which anybody can go in an open boat of any gender.”

Among the home teams competing this weekend are the Warlocks and Lively Dragon. Among its paddlers is Zofia Seroka, who is visually impaired and says her team makes sure she never has to face the course alone.

“I’m actually half-blind and I do have challenges,” Seroka said. “I need to ask my teammates for help to guide me when there’s a lot of people. So I’ll grab their shoulders and they just tell me which way to go.”

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On the water, every person has a role. The drummer sets the rhythm.

“I encourage everyone on the boat and then also keep balance for the boat,” said Sophia Lin, a drummer for the Toronto Mofos.

The steersperson holds the line, and the paddlers match every stroke, because when even one person falls out of sync, the impact is immediate.

“The boat’s not flowing, it’s herky-jerky,” Carroll said.

All that synchronized power is just as impressive from shore.

“I think just seeing the amazing way that they all row together and just in time and the speed that they get, I love watching it,” said a spectator.

“I’m just here watching. My cousin, he invited me today. He’s doing the paddling for CSDC,” said Raj Singh, another spectator.

For the Canadian Seniors Dragon Boat Club, the final stretch is where races are won.

“You’re digging in, you’re draining the tank and you’re just pushing for the finish line,” said Monique Gara, a member of the club.

From shore, it looks like a test of strength. But out here, it’s really about rhythm, teamwork and trust.

“It’s not brute strength always,” Taggart said. “It’s grace and working together.”

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