Jeff Holubeshen

“How I got started in dragonboating: I had just started working at a major bank as a co-op student. A few coworkers talked me into going out for the team; it sounded like fun – getting some exercise, and a chance to do some networking in a new city. I loved it…the adrenaline you feel after a race, the strength & technique required, the competition.
I immersed myself in everything dragonboat, eventually buying boats, running a practice facility and organizing my own festival. Later I joined the Board of Directors for Dragon Boat Canada (DBC), staying on the board for a number of years, helping however I could (as long as it didn't get in the way of my full-time job!). I was also part of the organizing committee for the 2015 IDBF World Championships.

While I've now left the DBC board, I still help out - currently, I work on their brand management strategy, including things such as the Canadian national team uniform design.

My favourite memory is probably racing on the Canadian National Team at the 2013 IDBF World Championships. I'd raced Club Crews before, but this was Worlds; it meant a lot to get to that level, and was an amazing experience.

Besides paddling, one of my other loves is photography. At races, if I don't have a paddle in my hand, I usually have my camera. I've been fortunate to combine the 2 things into a nice little hobby; now I photograph for dragonboat, outrigger and SUP events. Hopefully, I can travel to a few new events next year (so if anybody needs photos for their event, let me know! LOL).”

[Jeff Holubeshen (Toronto, Canada), dragon boat photographer, paddler on CSDC Senior A, member of Canadian national team, ex-member on Board of Directors of Dragon Boat Canada, ex-member of organizing committee for the 2015 IDBF World Championships.]

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