Kadena Shoguns dig deep for dragon boat races

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Omari Bernard
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
NAHA PORT, Japan --  Yellow, green and black boats bob up and down with the swell of the sea. Hands clench and bodies stiffen as rowers ready themselves for the sound of a gun.

Bang!

Three ornately carved dragons soar through the water, as oars stroke in unison to the rhythmic sound of a metal gong.

Although the race only lasted about five minutes, it seemed to last forever for the Kadena Shoguns who pushed their bodies to the limit and competed at the 41st Annual Naha Dragon Boat Race in Naha City.

"We did well," said Master Sgt. Timothy Middleton, 18th Operation Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment heavy operations section chief and head coach for the men's dragon boat team. "We did decent enough to show that anyone that has the desire to go out there can learn to do something outside of (their) comfort zone and have fun while doing it."

Dragon boat racing is an Okinawan tradition that dates back to the 14th Century when China influenced the Ryukyu Kingdom. The races involves 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.

The men's and women's teams placed ninth and 11th respectively out of the 63 teams that competed. Months of hard work, long practices and extensive conditioning goes into competing for the Kadena Shoguns each year for the nearly three dozen members on each team.

"Starting in February of each year we practice three to four times a week for an hour and a half," Middleton said. "In the beginning we start with physical conditioning that concentrates on cardio and the major muscle groups for rowing."

Comica Middleton, head coach for the Kadena Shoguns women's dragon boat team and wife of Timothy Middleton, and Staff Sgt. Christopher Price, 18th Component Maintenance Squadron craftsman and assistant coach for the men's team, were among those that sacrificed early mornings and late evenings.

Mrs. Middleton said the best way to keep her team motivated was by making practices interesting.

"Throughout each row I tried to say encouraging things to them and give compliments where I saw improvement," Mrs. Middleton said. "Row with your heart, because if you row with your arms, you're going to get tired. If your heart's not in it, you're not passionate about it and you don't want it then it'll be harder for you to continue."

Throughout the training months Mrs. Middleton recorded their practices to help show her team what to try to perfect and motivate them by showing progress.

"From day one till race day we take videos," she said. "It's hard for them to see the progress in themselves, so the day before the race I post videos about where they started and where they are at now. It helps them mentally think, 'I can do this.' I am proud of them."

Teams from Kadena Air Base have been participating in the annual Naha Dragon Boat Race for more than 25 years.

"Enjoy the cultural experience and traditions of the Okinawan community," said Sergeant Middleton. "I would definitely recommend it to anyone that comes out here looking for something different."

The race season has only begun for the Shoguns. There are smaller races all over the island that take place during the summer.

To join the Kadena Shoguns Dragon Boat Team, contact Timothy or Comica Middleton at airforceshoguns@yahoo.com or on Facebook at Kadena Air Force Shogun Dragon Boat Team.