The Hakka Chef's Dream of Stand-up Paddling and Glory - Interview with Chang Chao-Rou and Lee Qin-cheng

Amidst the heat of sports and the aroma of food, a couple proves that when passion meets perseverance, ordinary days can bloom with extraordinary splendor. Let's explore the world of Chang and Lee, a multi-talented couple who have moved from dragon boat racing to stand-up paddling and then into the kitchen to pass on Hakka cuisine. Their journey crosses the boundaries of sports and cooking, and they have written a symphony of change and growth, love and commitment. Follow their footsteps and experience their passion and commitment to life.
In the pursuit of their dreams, see how this couple found their chapter of happiness in the intersection of sports and food.

Sailing to New Horizons: Transformation and Challenges from Dragon Boat to Stand-up Paddle

Chang and Lee's athletic career began inLongboatStarting on the racetrack, they developed a strong partnership in the sport of paddling. When standup paddling was introduced to them, the couple took on a whole new challenge, taking their love of water sports to a whole new level. Stand-up paddling is more than just a sport; for them, it's a journey of self-discovery and mutual growth. Along the way, from learning basic skills to competing in races all over the world, their will and skills are honed every time they paddle. The sport has strengthened their physical and mental connection, allowing them to find mutual support and encouragement in the sport, and at the same time allowing their passion for the sport to be transformed into the motivation to keep moving forward. Whether facing technical difficulties or the pressure of a race, they work together, proving that the tacit understanding and perseverance of a partnership can overcome any challenge.

Harmony of Life and Passion: A Synergistic Chapter of Family and Paddle Business

Chang and Lee combine family andPaddle SportsThey have a perfect blend of passion for the sport and demonstrate the art of extraordinary life management. In the sport of standup paddling, they are self-taught and constantly improving, and even when they finish last in their first race, their competitive spirit pushes them to improve and aspire to excel in the event.

Every day is a carefully planned schedule for this couple. They wake up at 5 a.m., start training in the water at 6 a.m., go ashore at 8 a.m., and then quickly change roles to start their day at the Hakka restaurant at 9 a.m. on time. They work until 2:00 p.m., then take a break from the store to train again until 4:00 p.m. They then return to the restaurant to train again. After that, they returned to the restaurant until 8:00 p.m., when they finished work.

With such an intensive schedule, they not only have to juggle their roles as athletes and restaurant operators, but also play the role of parents. Chang, who carries her baby on her back at work, demonstrates the resilience of motherhood by taking care of her child at the same time. Their lives are characterized by a high degree of self-discipline and coordination, and even in the face of challenges, they maintain their love of sport and their family responsibilities, making the most of their work-life balance.

"We've been blessed by our daughters and the support of our families."

The full support of the family and the love of the couple for their daughter are the backbone of Qiaorou Rouqinzheng's courageous dreams, and it is this backbone that has allowed them to overcome the many challenges and move towards a peak one after another!

Exercise to the Limit: Physical Fitness Tests in Stand Up Paddle Training

In the world of stand-up paddling, Chang and Lee are facing a very tough physical test. The sport not only demands high levels of muscular and core strength, but is also an extreme challenge of endurance. Their training is not only a physical exercise, but also a test of mental toughness.

"There's no secret to overcoming walrus, you just have to practice and get used to it." The couple demonstrated their resilience.

They all understand that in this sport, the best strategy to face the vagaries of nature is to keep practicing and adapting. This continuous and strategic training has enabled them to refine their aquatic skills, learn how to maintain balance and speed in the unpredictable sea phenomena, and demonstrate excellent physical and mental qualities.

Chang's experience is particularly impressive. Once afraid of the water, she found the courage and the means to overcome her fear in stand-up paddling. Under the guidance of her coach, she overcame her demons step by step and gradually fell in love with the sport. Recovering from childbirth was a big challenge for her, but Chang still managed to get back to her best with strong willpower, perfectly demonstrating her love for stand-up paddling and her determination to do what she loves to the fullest.

International StageTaiwan Pride: Outstanding Performance in Paddle Racing

With the support and collaboration of her husband and teammates, Chang won a historic achievement for Taiwan at the 2023 World Light Boat Stand Up Paddle Championships in Thailand. Her performance in the Technical and Long Distance races resulted in two Bronze medals for Taiwan, the first ever for Taiwan in an international lightweight stand-up rowing event, symbolizing an important step for Taiwan's paddlesports in the international arena.

In addition, they once again demonstrated their competitive prowess at the O2Y Winter Championships in Okinawa, Japan, in 2024. In this international event, Chang took second place in the Elite Women's 200m Short Course and fifth place in the Open Women's Technical Course. Meanwhile, Lee took third place in the Open Men's 200m Short Distance Race and fourth place in the Technical Race. These results continue to prove their competitiveness in the competitive international arena.

Through their achievements in international competitions, Chang and Lee have demonstrated what it means to be a husband and wife. Not only do they work together in life, but they also encourage each other to face challenges in the sports arena. Their success is not only a demonstration of their skills and perseverance, but also the result of their joint efforts and support.

Their story profoundly depicts the support system behind semi-professional athletes - the strength of the family and the importance of mutual support between husband and wife. Instead of being an obstacle to their pursuit of their goals, family responsibilities and the running of a restaurant have been the key driving force behind their success in the international arena.

A Strong Pillar on the Way of Oar - Zhi-Hang Technology

In their pursuit of international competition in the sport of paddle sports, Chang and Lee have faced the common challenge to Taiwanese athletes: "lack of funding". In Taiwan, it's not easy for athletes to secure government or corporate sponsorship; they often have to pay their own way, forcing Qiaorou to personally seek out sponsors willing to support her. After facing many refusals, her indomitable spirit eventually touched the hearts ofZhi-Hang TechnologyThe company's chairman, Lin Ziyu, was endorsed by this company.

The support of Zhi-Hang Tech means a lot to Lee and Chang. Chairman Lin's generous support, including funding and the purchase of $100,000 worth of race-grade paddleboards for the two, has greatly enhanced their ability and confidence to compete in international races and opened up new possibilities for their career paths!

"You can't just wait for an opportunity to present itself, but you have to be able to respond calmly and take advantage of the opportunity when it comes."

When it came to the kindness of Chairman Lin, Chang shared with an impassioned feeling.

The golden advice from Chairman Lin Ziyu is like a catalyst for Chang's pursuit of her dream. Whether it is applied to competitions, restaurant management, and the pursuit of her life goals, Chang and Lee have benefited from it immensely.

"I didn't think that the day-to-day efforts would turn this disturbance into an emotion."Chang recounted this experience with emotion.

Their journey to build their dreams not only highlights the struggles of self-development but also shows how the support of the community and corporations can have a great impact on the athletes' pursuit of their dreams. During Qiaorou and Qinzheng's journey, Chihuahua Technology's sponsorship is not only financial support, but also recognition and encouragement of their efforts and dreams.

Pursuing the Double Track: Paddle Glory and the Future Planning of Hakka Restaurant

As for the future, Chang and Lee set higher goals. They aspire to more international honors in the sport of standup paddling, targeting individual awards at world-class races, especially in the "short distance" event, where they hope to reach new heights.

In addition to developing their sports careers, they also plan to take their family-run Hakka restaurant to new heights. They hope to take over their father's store and work with their husband to combine tradition with innovation to make the restaurant business thrive.

They demonstrate how to pursue their ambitions and fulfill their family responsibilities at the same time. Their plans for the future demonstrate their determination to pursue their lives and dreams, whether it's competing on the paddle course or running a catering business, and their determination to go beyond the status quo and pursue excellence. Their story is not only a great story in the world of sports, but also an example for those who hesitate between dream and reality, as if it were a message to the rest of the world:

"Who says you can only choose between dream and reality? We can have both!"

The story of Chang and Lee has just begun, and this story of honoring our country in the paddle race, leading the family business to create prosperity, and inspiring others to embark on the path of their dreams will never stop being written!