[Jackie Lo/Founder of Watersport Academy]

Jackie: I spend time on the water from Monday to Sunday. Every time I set out, I am challenging myself. My name is Jackie. I come from Hong Kong but my ancestral home is in Dongguan. I always enjoyed watersports when I was growing up. The year I turned 18, I took two coaching qualification exams in Hong Kong. Then I started teaching watersports. Use the front of your soles to turn. When I am not training myself, then I am coaching or giving lessons to children.

[Owen Lo/Son of Jackie]

Owen:  I think my dad is a very successful watersports instructor. He taught me a lot of things with great detail.

Jackie: By chance, a friend once told me they have a place in Dongguan, and people really like motor-less sporting events over there. They asked if some of these events could be organized and become an activity in the area. I said yes. And thus it started to become a base for watersports.

[Dolphin Law/Operation Director of Watersport Academy]

Dolphin: The name ‘Machong’ describes how this place used to be lined with waterways. Boats were the primary mode of transportation when developing the area. The leaders specifically appointed Huayang Lake as the site for dragon boat races.

Male: May dragon boats bring us good health and good luck

Female: Bring out the best in yourself and achieve good results, yay!

Jackie: Machong is the hometown of the dragon boat. But, in addition to the ubiquitous dragon boat races, there is also the promotion of traditional dragon boat culture. For example, right next to us, it’s a very traditional dragon boat making workshop. With technological advancement, most dragon boats are now made of fiberglass. But this factory still preserves the old masters’ special way of handmaking dragon boats out of wood. Every village has their own symbolic dragon boat head design. Not only have we turned dragon boat racing into a sport, but we are also promoting it as a culture.

Dolphin: Coach Jackie’s ancestral home is Chashan town in Dongguan. It’s all the more reason to chose dragon boat racing as the main event for team building.

Jackie: Coming back here actually felt like returning home with high respect. My ancestors are from Dongguan and this place is brimming with potential for development. I always want to do something here in Dongguan that hasn’t been done before. Let’s go!

All people: one, two, three

Jackie: It’s best to build something from scratch. The mainland is a blank slate in this case as there have never been many watersports. There’s a traditional Chinese saying which goes “play with mountains but not with water”. This old idiom gives the impression that watersports are inherently dangerous. Under Hong Kong’s sports education system, everyone must wear a life jacket.

Dolphin: The most important thing, when we are on the water, is to properly wear a life jacket. The public perception about working in watersports is that it’s very different from most jobs in more conventional industries. I studied Law in university and people often ask me why I chose this line of work. But I believe personal choice is a strong motivator. If you choose something more challenging, there is also more room for hope.Remember this when you row.

Jackie: When you pull, remember that...I really enjoy the role of being a trainer. Because in this role, I am able to bring what I’ve learned in Hong Kong and pass it on here in Dongguan. We always feel exhausted at the end of a busy workday. And since this is an outdoor sport, we work rain or shine, no matter what. But when a student sends you a message, thanking you for the guidance and encouragement. These words become my motivation to keep working in watersports. Each time I set out from here, no matter how far I go, I will always make the journey back with my own strength.