Sarah Chu

“When I was a kid, I always went to Centre Island at the time of the Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival. At first, I was annoyed by how busy it was to get on the ferry to the island, as there were so many people. Then I saw how they paddled, how strong they all were and the sense of community they created. I was in awe of everyone and decided that when I got older, I would join a team to have a dragon boat family of my own and to be able to paddle with some of the best.

When I was at Wilfrid Laurier University’s club fair, I saw the WLUDBC booth and got to talk to one of the coaches and one of the captains; I still remember how much passion the coach had for the team and for paddling, and the captain’s enthusiasm for my interest in joining the team. From then, I got the sense that this would become one of my greatest passions and that dragon boating would be a big part of my life.

I am forever being pushed to be the best I can be physically and as a paddler from my coaches, captains and friends on the team. I was also nicknamed the “mascot” of the team, as I was the most enthusiastic and was always doing something silly. That nickname has really stuck with me, even now, paddling in my third year (and being roasted about my silliness).

There are literally so many great memories from being on the team, from our carpool karaokes to our actual karaoke sessions. From winning medals and doing rocky 2K’s in Montreal, I have met my greatest mentors and best friends not only on this team, but from other teams, as well! That’s why in the majority of team photos, I always want to be lifted onto somebody’s back because this team makes this small girl feel big.”

[Sarah Megan Chu (Toronto, Canada), paddler on Wilfrid Laurier University Dragon Boat Club, ex-paddler on CIBC Aventura Visa Gold (Paddlestar Galactica).]

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