06/07/2009，THAA-Boston team won 3rd of Boston Dragon Boat Festival

This year marked the 30th Boston Dragon Boat Festival, the longest running Dragon Boat Festival in North America. Boston Dragon Boat festival transformed from the old traditions of Duan Wu festival into an exciting sporting and cultural event, right on the Charles river in Boston. The festival featured arts and crafts demonstrations, Asian food, and most of all, the thrill of dragon boat race.

This year there were 35 boat teams in three classes — club teams, corporate teams, and recreational teams. Some of them came from other states and even Canada to compete in this dragon boat festival. This was the second year THAA Boston sent team to participate. This team was composed of 18 alumni and friends, 7 female and 11 male. Most of them never had boating experience before. However, all of them were extremely excited about the opportunity and were eager to represent Tsinghua alumni to compete in the race. The 6 one-hour practices spread out in 3 weeks were the only chances for the team to master the paddling skills, drumming skill, steering skill, synchronization, and race tactics. All of the team members have full time job, and attending practicing after work was a challenge. However, everyone of the team members was well motivated, and everyone of them overcame the challenge. Some of them drove over an hour in rush hour traffic to attend the
practice; some of them chose to attend the practice over taking care of their sick child at home.

Their effort and hard work paid off in the race day. In three rounds of race on June 7, Tsinghua Alumni team raced with other recreational teams, well sponsored corporate teams, and even professionally trained club teams. In the end, Tsinghua team finished 500 M race in their best time of 2’43”, with their impeccable synchronization, strenuous strokes, and highest spirits! The time ranked them 3rd place in the recreational class, and also beat most of the teams in corporate class, and some teams in club class.

“This was a tremendous team work and remarkable achievement,” said, Zhihong Zhao, President of THAA Boston and co-captain of the team. “Through 6 trainings in 3 weeks, and 5 races in 2 days, this team grew from 18 individuals into one entity with strong desire to compete and win. Everyone made personal sacrifice and exhibited devotion to the team. Together they experienced sore muscle, fatigue, fun, excitement, being part of the festival with thousands of people watching, and proud of the outstanding performance. The medal they won represents unforgettable experience and a fantastic story to share with friends.”

The team enjoyed their success immensely. They were amazed by how much they could accomplish by working as team and thinking as a team. They all expressed their desire to do it again next year, and do it better.

THAA Boston provided great support to the team. Wei Lin, Di Chen and other leaders of the association brought Tsinghua flag to cheer for the team. They helped set up the base camp for the team to rest in between races. They also purchased lunch boxes for the team to re-energize. This event not only boosted the proud and confidence of Tsinghua alumni in Boston, but also significantly promoted Tsinghua image in the eyes of oversea Chinese and Americans.

The team members are:

周福民 (Captain)
赵志宏 (Co-Captain)