Annie Lyn Acebuche Mirasol

“To be an athlete was one of my dreams. I started dragon boat to pursue my dream regardless of my work (as a house helper), and make my day off every Sunday meaningful. I found family in my team. I met people from different walks of life. I have had an opportunity to experience working as a team and have had an awesome experience racing like a professional athlete. Another reason why I started dragon boat sport is to keep/maintain myself fit: physically, mentally and emotionally. In this sport, I have become more disciplined.

One of my favorite memories is the first time we raced at the Singapore Dragon Boat Festival. Our captain chose me to drum and I was so nervous and at the same time excited because it was my first time drumming and in a big event here in Singapore.

Another great memory was a race in September: the Austcham 5km...it was only in a small boat (10 paddlers)! It was the first time our team joined a long race, and most of the other teams were professionals and train 2-3 times a week. But we only have trainings every Sunday. Most of the other teams were also all men - only a few boats were mixed, and our boat was 9 women and a man. We were brave during that race, and our ranking was not bad, especially as first-timers to a 5km race: we ranked 12 out of 17 teams there. Some paddlers and people watching the race were totally amazed that we ranked 12th place.

We are always grateful if someone recognizes our team. We are Foreign Domestic Helpers and at the same time, Paddlers of Race2Share Dragon Boat Team.

We are not just helpers here in Singapore... We are ‘Extraordinary Helpers’ that can do dragon boat sport.”

[Annie Lyn Acebuche Mirasol (Singapore), paddler and drummer on Race2Share Dragon Boat Team.]

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