Kadena dragon boat racers tops among military counterparts

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Months of early morning and evening practices paid off as the Kadena "Shoguns" dragon boat racers left their sister service counterparts in their wake during the Naha Dragon Boat races May 5.

The Kadena men's boat racing team came out on top overall among the U.S. military teams with a 5:32 race time after finishing second in their heat against the Naha City Fire Department and U.S. Marine Corps teams. The Navy finished second at 5:40, then Army at 5:53 and finally the Marines at 6:09.

"We set a goal from the beginning to be the fastest U.S. military team out there," said Capt. Jeffrey Dierdorf, coach of the Kadena Shoguns men's team. "We had one shot to prove that the three months of practice was worth it and I'd say it paid off."

The Kadena "Shoguns" women's team also put up a fight in their heat against two Japanese corporate teams, but ended up finishing second. The Kadena women also placed second overall among the U.S. military teams with a 6:14 race time. The Navy women's team beat out the Army and Marines in their heat and tallied the military's top race time of 6:02.

Although this year marked the 36th Annual Naha Dragon Boat Race in Naha City, dragon boat racing is an Okinawan tradition that dates back to the 14th Century when China influenced the Ryukyu Kingdom. The modern races involve 32 rowers, a cadence drummer, a navigator, and in most cases, one or two motivators who help the team stay synchronized while racing the 2.5-ton fiberglass ship more than 600 meters to the finish line.

As the 51 teams competed throughout the day, it became obvious to spectators and racers alike which teams had prepared for the arduous task. Under the scorching sun, some teams struggled to make it across the finish line.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Burke, 18th Security Forces Squadron, was one of the many volunteers who sacrificed early mornings and evenings to practice for the tough race over the past three months. The teams held practices at Ryukyu Middle School pool several times a week to condition racers for the event. But even after months of practice, Sergeant Burke and his teammates learned that conditions are much different going from a calm pool to the ocean with currents.

"You have to be pretty dedicated to participate in this kind of event," the sweat drenched Sergeant Burke said after the Shoguns finished just 20 seconds behind the Naha fire department. "During the race we had our technique and pace down. [But halfway through the race] I remember thinking 'I hope this race ends early.'"

Sergeant Burke said he and his wife, Aspen, decided to join Kadena's racing teams as a way to connect with the local community.

"My wife and I were fresh to the island and we wanted to come out here and have some fun," said the 12-year Air Force veteran. "It's a great event that's steeped in tradition."