Friday, November 7, 2025
The Olympia Dragon Boat Festival 2025 drew hundreds of people to the second annual racing event, which featured more than two dozen teams at Olympia Port Plaza on Saturday, July 19.
Competition ranged from people who have been boating for a few weeks to rowers with more than 20 years of experience. The event was hosted by the Olympia Dragon Boat Club.
Lyndy Slyker, a member of the Olympia Dragon Boat Club, leads the Fire Breathing Blowfish from Portland, Ore., out to compete in the dragon boat races at Olympia Port Plaza on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
JM Simpson | The JOLT News
Jenny Cecilian has been a member of the Mighty Women Paddling Club, based out of Portland, Oregon, since 2022. The club has members ranging from women in their early 20s to paddlers in their 80s.
During the Olympia Dragon Boat festival, the team got faster with each race eventually finishing second in Women D Final in a time of 1:21.87.
“I fell in love from the first paddle,” Cecilian said. “Everyone brings their best every day to practice, whatever that means to them. We support each other and have fun. I am stronger, healthier and happier being on this team.”
Members of the Castaway Dragon Boat Team stand ready to board their boats during the Olympia Dragon Boat Festival at Olympia Port Plaza on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
JM Simpson | The JOLT News
Courtnui Crispt, also a member of the Mighty Women Paddling Club, agreed that the support given is one of the best aspects of being on a dragon boat team. She has been a member of the team for two months.
“I love it out here, and more than anything, it’s the community that makes it awesome,” Crispt said. “There’s such a family feel here among all the different teams, and certainly within the teams.”
Along with the great weather, the camaraderie between teams was friendly and sincere. “This event and the people in it are just good for the soul,” said Mary Toombs on the Olympia Dragon Boat Festival 2025 at Olympia Port Plaza on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
JM SIMPSON | The JOLT News
After each race, different teams lined up around the docks to share high fives and congratulatory remarks to each participant, no matter which team they were on.
The Gig Harbor Dragons, whose mission includes “exceptional sportsmanship” were one of teams lined up to show support for all of the racers.
“Making it to the podium is always exciting,” said Scott Jones, a member of the Gig Harbor Dragons.
“Really, I like it because it’s over 90 people with diverse backgrounds and we all come together like a team, like a family.”
Several paddlers said in addition to the community aspect of dragon boats they enjoyed the exercise component of racing.
Maggie Allison has been with the Seattle Flying Dragons for 12 years. The team has traveled to Portland, Canada, Trinidad, Venice and Taiwan, as well as competing in competitions around the state of Washington.
“We have a lot of fun,” Allison said. “You’re getting exercise, which is fabulous, and it’s a great group of people, which is also fabulous. We love to race.”
Volunteers Gene Zellner and Bernie McCauley affix a dragon head to one of the eight boats used during the Olympia Dragon Boat Festival on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
JM Simpson | The JOLT News
This year, the Tacoma Dragon Boat Association and the Kent Dragon Boat Association teamed up to race under the same team — the Lake Meridian Dragons. The team finished first in the Mixed B Final in a time of 1:07.36
Mike Gehrke is a member of the Tacoma Boat Association, and has been for 46 years. He got involved while working for the City of Tacoma, trying to find a way to “spice up” the Maritime Fest.
During discussion meetings, a man from Taiwan who was in the boat wrecking business, offered to donate a couple of dragon boats to the city. From there, the Tacoma Dragon Boat Association was born.
“The feeling that you get when you get the absolute synchronicity with all 20 paddlers acting as one is a rare event, because everyone has their own style,” Gehrke said. “But when it happens, the boat just picks up and takes off.”
John Holt has been paddling for 12 years, and raced with the Lake Meridian Dragons. He said that he loves to get outside and move around.
“It’s easy to get sedentary with all of the modern luxuries that we have now, so it’s kind of nice to be obligated to meet with some people and get outside and move around,” Holt said.
Kelly Gordham, skipper of the Obsession, and Keith Birchard, a leader with the Sea Scouts – Ship 02, made sure that communications on the water were clear during the Olympia Dragon Boat races on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
JM SIMPSON | The JOLT News
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