The University of Philippines’ dragon boat athletes are unpaid, but driven by community pride

The scent of salt and untreated wastewater lingers within the air, however for the College of the Philippines (UP) dragon boat workforce, it is a routine they’ve realized to stay with.

Thrice per week, you may see all of them sweaty or operating out of breath, paddling in rhythm, constructing power, focus, and self-discipline.

Dragon boat racing is a sport the place groups compete to be the primary to cross the end line on a 200-500m or longer endurance course.

A normal boat carries 22 individuals: 10 pairs of paddlers, one lead, and one steersperson. Embellished with dragon heads and tails, the game’s roots stay seen in each race.

Although enjoyable and fulfilling, dragon boat racing at UP lacks institutional help.

The workforce doesn’t obtain any funding as a result of it isn’t recognised as an official sport beneath the college’s governing sporting physique, The College Athletic Affiliation of the Philippines (UAAP).

However whereas its members dream of what this funding may change, they proceed to point out up beneath tough situations for a group they take nice pleasure in.

With borrowed assets, college students self-fund competitions

Dragon boat coaching begins early on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and some hours afterward Saturdays — simply earlier than work or class begins.

Some paddlers rush again for 8:30am courses, whereas others squeeze in power and conditioning independently at residence or in close by gyms.

For the workforce, the mindset has at all times been easy: use what’s out there.

Whether or not it is a shared paddle, an previous life vest, or borrowed gear from a teammate, they make do.

This reliance on inside funds dictates their schedule, as all race bills, from journey and lodging to fundamental race charges, come from their very own pockets.

“In relation to races, the workforce solely operates inside our means,” Micah Religion Marcial, president of the workforce, says.

With out official funds, the UP dragon-boating workforce works to pool funds and attain out for sponsorships to maintain important workforce wants like hydration and restoration help.

That is in stark distinction to the UP’s varsity athletes. Varsity athletes are those that symbolize the college in UAAP-recognised sports activities. They obtain meals, housing, allowances, and full entry to sports activities tools and services.

In the meantime, organisations like UP Dragonboat can solely apply to make use of valuable services when out there.

In a press release supplied to the ABC, a spokesperson for the Workplace of Athletics and Sports activities Growth stated “even our varsity groups expertise difficulties in securing coaching schedules, as most venues are shared with tutorial courses or prioritised for different sports activities”.

“We recognise the continuing challenges confronted by our athletes as a result of restricted services and assets out there,” the assertion stated.

“Some gyms stay usable solely throughout daytime due to energy constraints. Whereas we try to supply satisfactory house for all, the present set-up nonetheless requires us to offer precedence to our varsity applications.”

Satisfaction driving group of dragon-boaters

As an unfunded sport, the UP workforce depends on its members’ dedication to the group and tradition of dragon-boating.

A part of that tradition is welcoming individuals from all fields, ages, and health ranges. There is no idea of seniority — solely dedication. So long as you retain exhibiting up and enhancing, there can be a seat for you.

Paddler Sydney Pichay, who has self-funded abroad journeys, argues the “pleasure of fellow Filipinos” makes their efforts “value it”.

“In our current Hong Kong race, a Filipina we met on the bus was so completely satisfied to see us representing UP that she handed us cash out of pure pleasure,” he stated.

One other UP member, Aira Christine, speaks fondly of the workforce’s popularity after they completed sixth with a mixed-gender crew.

“When individuals hear ‘Crew UP,’ they’re at all times amazed at how we managed to outlive back-to-back 500-meter heats, even towards uniformed groups identified for his or her intense bodily coaching,” she stated.

Junior workforce captain Roland Danielle Lusterio echoes Christine’s sentiment, arguing there’s a “particular sort of pleasure in carrying the UP title in races, particularly overseas”.

In response to Marcial, it’s that pleasure that interprets into the workforce’s motivation.

“As a aggressive workforce that carries the title of the college, everybody desires to do their finest not only for themselves however for the aim of doing it effectively for the UP group, to paddle effectively with honour and excellence,” he says.

Quinn Barcarse is a scholar journalist and athlete drawn to the tales that stay between victories and defeats. In sports activities journalism, she’s discovered pleasure in uncovering how video games mirror connection, character, and group.

Quinn is a part of ABC Worldwide Growth’s Girls in Information and Sport Initiative, funded by the Australian Division of International Affairs and Commerce by the Crew Up program.