Home
UNI-MAGAZINE
Sports Culture
On this boat, there’s no you or me—only us.｜Lewis Lin, Founder of Seeker Dragon Boat Club

On this boat, there’s no you or me—only us.｜Lewis Lin, Founder of Seeker Dragon Boat Club

August 24,2021

Author : Unistar

Dragon boating, a water sport with a long history and the most important activity of the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan, attracted countless people every year before the epidemic and was one of the main attractions for travelers to Taiwan.

But did you know that there is only one organization in Taiwan that promotes such a unique and valuable sport in the form of a club?
Dragon Boat Club (Seeker DBC). Today, Uni-Magazine is honored to interview the club's founder, Lewis Lin Zijun, to find out how they got started and how they operate!
Seeker Dragon Boat Club

Growing up in Bitan, I experienced the charm of dragon boat sport.
Due to his family's swan boat business in Bitan, Lewis was able to experience the glamor and excitement of dragon boat racing during the Dragon Boat Festival every year when he was a child. When he grew up and studied in the United States, he continued to be exposed to dragon boat racing and competed in various states in the United States by chance. Most dragon boat sports in the U.S. are run as clubs, where competitors try their best to win glory in the water, and when they come ashore, they are all good friends, playing music with drinks and meals, discussing the content of the races, and caring for each other, which is a comfortable and fascinating atmosphere for the races. After learning about the current state of dragon boat sports in Taiwan, the first dragon boat sports club in Taiwan was officially launched under Lewis's promotion!

林子鈞

The dragon boat experience in the U.S. was the opportunity for Lewis to start the club. Photo courtesy of Lin.

Aside from the great American experience, the reason Lewis decided to take action?
Taiwan is surrounded by the sea there are a lot of water sports athletes, among which canoe sports and dragon boat sports have the highest degree of similarity, but most of the canoe athletes after the end of the student status, due to practical considerations can not continue to devote to the dragon boat sports, Lewis met a group of such friends in the race, coupled with their love of this sport and want to bring back to Taiwan what they have seen in the United States, and is determined to call on the friends of like-minded people to work together to create a club that includes hilarious atmosphere and professionalism. At the same time, it allows these athletes not only to continue their lives in the sport but also to allow professional development and contribution.

（競賽與教學經驗豐富的教練團。照片提供：林子鈞）

(A team of coaches with extensive experience in competition and teaching. (Photo courtesy of Lewis Lin)

Anyone with a heart can become an "athlete."

The club has a wide range of members and meets people from different professional fields during practices and races. Many members have never paddled a dragon boat before joining the team, and even some who have no sports habit at all, but with scientific training and encouragement from their peers, they can successfully compete and finish the races, and become real athletes!

SEEKER DBC valuestheatmosphere. Photo courtesy of Lin Zijun

The Seeker DBC team is equipped with professional coaches to provide suitable training menus and standardized training equipment, so anyone who is interested in dragon boat sports can join.Lewis's philosophy for the team is: as long as you are willing to give and sacrifice, we can provide a perfect scientific training model, so that you can become the person you want to be!

Early morning training is not only for the body but also for the mind. Photo courtesy of Lin

Dragon boating is a sport that requires training at the crack of dawn, so one can develop a good habit of going to bed early and waking up early. Because of the relatively monotonous nature of dragon boating, athletes need to find a way to talk to themselves and feel the team's situation in which they are in, and in the long run, they will be able to cultivate the character trait of perseverance.

"There's only us on the boat."

The sport of dragon boating requires a large number of people, at least 20 paddlers, and each one of them is crucial, no matter who is not fit enough or has a physical condition, it will affect the speed and direction of the whole boat, so centripetal force is not only the universal value of dragon boat athletes, but also the most important trait of the sport.

To Lewis, what has stood out or endeared you the most in all of your experiences?

I don't know if you've ever experienced the common desire of the whole ship for victory, the pain of training, holding on together, celebrating together when we win, and crying together when we lose. It's a great feeling," said Lewis.I was mesmerized! The moment I crossed the finish line, I was able to scream out all my emotions, and it was a very touching feeling!

The fascinating aspects of dragon boating can only be realized when you are involved in the sport.

Unity is the best way to win a championship! Photo courtesy of Lin

For more information after reading the article, please go to Seeker Dragon Boat Club Facebook

Seeker Dragon Boat Club Official Website

Unistar

Unistar is a premier specialist in dye-sublimation jerseys and custom teamwear in Asia. With over a decade of apparel manufacturing expertise, we specialize in high-end Japanese EPSON digital printing technology and performance fabric R&D. From school club kits and corporate apparel to professional league uniforms, we are committed to providing "one-stop" professional design and in-house production services, ensuring every garment delivers vibrant colors and peak moisture-wicking performance.