Following the success of the 2024 College Cup, our team had high expectations for the experiences that the 18th Annual Arizona Dragon Boat Festival would bring. Due to the sudden flooding and closure of Tempe Town Lake in 2023, it had been 2 years since the UC San Diego’s Dragon Boat team was able to compete in Arizona. This festival is a 2-day event set on the weekend of March 23rd and 24th in which collegiate teams, mixed teams, open teams, and women’s teams compete in 250, 500, and/or 1000 meter races in their respective divisions. The qualifying rounds for all race categories were held on Saturday while the finals, knockout sprints, and “Guts & Glory” distance races were held on Sunday.

UCSD entered multiple boats for the Collegiate (UCSD Fresh and UCSD Fierce), Women’s (UCSD California Gurls), Opens (UCSD Fine), knockout races (same as collegiate), and Guts and Glory races (same as collegiate). Building on the foundation we had for the College Cup, our Collegiate A boat was able to secure the 500M Division A Finals first place with a time of 2:10.10; Our Collegiate B boat also secured 500M Division B Finals second place with a time of 2:20.17. These are the highest standings that our club has seen in this festival in many years, and has been a great showcase of our recent development. In contrast to prior years, our boats were also able to stand on the podium for both knockout races, with UCSD Fresh at 3rd place in Div A, and UCSD Fierce at 1st place in Div D. This year was also the first time in 5 years that UCSD has participated in the Guts and Glory division, a 1000M stamina based race. Having planned to do the race in previous years but with sudden setbacks stopping us, it was an incredible experience to train for and compete in a totally different category. 

Through the races over the weekend, we were given the opportunity to compete and bond with many strong teams across the country, strengthening our connection with the community while also tightening our internal ties. The season so far has been an immensely fulfilling one, especially when looking back at the team’s growth throughout the years. As we consolidate our strength and technique, we hope to stay focused, continue challenging ourselves and bring our all into finishing out the season.