Aboard the Love Boat
September 20, 2007
Here’s a look at five couples who found love on the water.
LINDA CHEU AND ANDREW YAN
how long married: 2 years
team: Dragon Warriors
city of residence: San Francisco
“We were initially competitors — Andrew was on Water Beasts, and I was on Dragon Warriors. After his team dissolved, he joined ours. We co-hosted a team wine tasting and barbecue in 2001, and became a couple shortly after.
The great thing about meeting someone through dragon boat is that you get to see people as they are from the very start, not dressed up but in their workout clothes. There are no awkward conversations typical on the first date because you get to know each other as teammates.” — Linda Cheu
“My fondest dragon boat memories with Linda include traveling with her. We went to China to compete soon after we started dating, and I remember thinking that being stuck with her for three weeks was going to be a big test on how well we’d work out — and we were fabulous together!” — Andrew Yan
AMY HONG AND ALAN LAU
how long married: 11 months
children: Son Alex
team: DieselFish
city of residence: Oakland
“I met Amy shortly after our 2003 season had ended. She had just finished her first year with Team Propulsion and was searching for a team that would better suit her competitive spirit. Her spirit, enthusiasm and love of food, instantly made her a great fit with our team.
I found we both shared a passion for dragon boating, animated movies, music and spam. We dated for almost two years, and all the while, I knew she was the one I wanted to eventually marry.
I concocted an elaborate plan to propose to her. I put the ring in my pocket, loaded her in the car, and took a trip up the California/Oregon coastline for the Portland Dragon Boat Race. We came across an empty beach and trekked down to the shoreline. She found some seashells and gave them to me. In return, I “found” a ring in my pocket and gave it to her. Happily giggling, we continued up the coast and met our team in Portland to break the news.
Ten months into our first year of marriage, Amy gave birth to our first son, Alex Robert Lau, and we couldn’t be happier.” — Alan Lau
WINNIE AND DOUG HARDIE
how long married: 1 year
children: None, “but plan to have
DieselFish guppies soon”
team: DieselFish
city of residence: San Carlos
“We sat together during dragon boat practice by accident. While I was impressed at Winnie’s strength, she went gaga over my long paddling stroke.
Our love of paddling provided an instant bond, as well as hours of conversation at lunch following practice. I asked her to a concert that night, and just like that, we were peas and carrots. The differences of our childhoods — small university town versus Chinatown — gave us even more to talk about and lessons to learn from each other.
Soon after, I left the team to train for a long bike ride, and Winnie became a team legend: landing a husband after two practices. All this due to chance, a seat, a boat and a team.” — Doug Hardie
JIM AND GRACE LEUNG
how long married: 2 years
children: Daughter Skylar
team: Dragon Warriors
city of residence: Mountain View
“Five years ago, I met Grace at the Vancouver dragon boat race. I remember being introduced to her, and from that moment, she had my eye.
The next season, my team broke apart, and I knew which team I wanted to join: hers, of course.
Grace and I didn’t actually date until a couple of years later. We did do lots of off-the-water activities and social events with the team. Finally, she asked me out; I was too chicken.
We got married in Hawai‘i and had our first team baby, Skylar Kim Leung. We have taken this past year off, but stay involved with dragon boating as best we can: I’ll drum and also be one of the announcers at the race.” — Jim Leung
CLAIRE MURTAGH AND SEAN O’HARA
how long dating: 10 months
team: DieselFish
city of residence: Burlingame (Claire); San Mateo (Sean)
“Sean and I met during our first year of dragon boating. We’d end up at the same events, but still didn’t know each other very well. Flirtation began to grow, and at the end of our season banquet last year, he asked me out. We had our first date the next day.
We act like kids together; he makes me laugh, and he shows me a side of things I wouldn’t normally see. He’s not only my boyfriend but also my best friend, and I’m looking forward to us growing together in the future.
We still paddle together and also do some outrigger and would love to continue to do both, as well as be part of the leadership team.” — Claire Murtagh
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[…] paddle as fast as you can against seven other boats. Crazy delicious fun and potentially a place to meet your mate! […]
I’d like to share that the first time I saw the DieselFish Team in full force, paddling in unison in the water, I immediately got the goose bumps, and tears came to my eyes. The sensation I felt transcended time–I felt “How Sacred…–How powerful…” –a feeling of pure awe and amazement. To see and hear them all in rhythm, carrying on an ancient tradition, I realized and remembered in that moment that when people are united–breathing, working and are “synergized,” in full force together, they all are to be honored.
Winnie Tsoi, is my hero! Here at Emanuele Elementary School , we know, love and respect her for all her expertise, work and dedication to generations of children. I hold her in high respect and esteem. I remember her during the courting days–there were bubbles of love and energy all around her. (Perhaps, I was the only one that saw the bubbles.) In any case, we could feel the intrigue and excitement.
Yep, finding and loving another is a true blessing and a gift. Being friends, playing and laughing together, being vulnerable, and being strong together are my wishes for Winnie and Doug, as well as my best wishes to all the other featured love birds. (I hope that after your first fight, you caress and make up and keep loving each other–best part.) My husband and I are still on our 27th honeymoon. It does get rough, but, hmm, hmmm, hmmm, it does get “mo’ betta.”
Thank you for featuring the love birds.
Inner Peace, Passion and Compassion,
Gina Vicenta Pacaldo