North Texas’ champion dragon boat team, the Dallas United Crew (DUC) Delites, is preparing for the final stretch of their competitive season. They have saved some of their most exciting races for the fall, paddling across the nation in the San Francisco International Dragon Boat Festival, the Oklahoma Regatta Festival OGE Night Sprints, and Sugarland’s Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Regatta.
On September 20 and 21, the DUC Delites will compete in the nation’s largest competitive festival, the 19th Annual San Francisco International Dragon Boat race. Competing against more than 140 teams and 3500 paddlers, the Delites are eager to place and win the top rank. They have been training rigorously and attending nearby heats throughout the year to prepare for this race. “It’s a highly competitive race with teams coming from all around the world,” says Jovin Lim, Head Coach of the DUC Delites. “With the addition of new coaches, strong discipline and hard work, I am confident that we can make a name for ourselves in San Francisco.”
The team has acquired two new coaches: Richard Stewart and Doug Warner.
Coach Richard Stewart originates from the prestigious Dragon Boat Team USA. He tried out against hundreds of paddlers from across the nation to secure a spot with Dragon Boat Team USA. This 103-member team included mixed boats of juniors (under age 18), seniors (ages 18-40) and masters (ages 40+). Stewart recently returned from the International Canoe Federation Dragon Boat World Championships in Poznan, Poland. The Men’s Team USA secured 4th place overall in the competition racing against 15 countries including Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, and Canada. “I am hoping that having a paddler on the national team from Dallas will help people in our area realize that if they put in hard work and train, they can improve and become competitive nationally and internationally,” comments Stewart.
Coach Doug Warner joined DUC Delite in 2013. Warner hails from Miami, Florida and is an experienced paddler who has competed in races all over the nation. He has been working with individuals to improve their fundamental and basic skills on the water and also coached the adult league program over the summer.
Dallas United Crew offers a recreational adult league program coached by DUC Delite team members and coaches. Those interested in competitive racing can try out for the DUC Delite team. For more information, please visit www.dallasunitedcrew.org/programs/dragon-boating.html.
About DUC Delite
DUC Delite was founded in 2011 by a group of passionate paddlers whose mission is to promote physical activity and cultural awareness in the DFW Metroplex through the sport of Dragon Boating. The group merged with DUC shortly after its inception. Dragon Boat racing is a 2,500-year old Chinese sport that has become an international phenomenon with over 10,000 teams in over 50 countries. This unique sport encourages a twenty-two person team, paddling together, to develop teamwork, strength, endurance and commitment. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/DallasDelite.
About Dallas United Crew
Dallas United Crew (DUC) builds community through teamwork in oar and paddle sports, developing leadership and opportunity by providing access to the water of White Rock Lake. As North Texas’ largest oar and paddle sport organization, it serves a multigenerational population of youth, adults, and families through a range of programs for novice and experienced rowers and paddlers including those with disabilities. These programs challenge, strengthen and empower people both mentally and physically. DUC is a registered 501c(3) nonprofit organization and donations are tax-deductible. For more information, please visit www.dallasunitedcrew.org.