I am Suleman Arshad, a visually impaired individual who moved to Canada in 2022. Sports have always been a passion of mine, so when I arrived in Montreal, I started looking for activities that would keep me active and engaged. That’s when I first heard about Dragon Boat racing.
At first, I was confused. In Pakistan, the term “Dragon Boat” was unfamiliar, and I initially thought it referred to a ride or amusement park attraction. I told the person, “No, I’m not interested in a ride; I want to do a real sports activity.” He laughed and explained, “No, no, it’s a sport! Blind individuals can paddle and race in the water.” That immediately caught my interest, and I decided to give it a try.
Learning to Paddle
When I arrived for my first Dragon Boat session, I was introduced to the setup. The boat is long, with 11 paddlers on each side (a total of 22 paddlers). Each paddler has a paddle to move the boat forward. At the front, there is a drummer who beats a drum to maintain rhythm, and at the back, there is a steersperson who controls the direction of the boat.
At first, it was challenging to coordinate my strokes with my teammates. As a blind paddler, I had to rely entirely on sound, touch, and rhythm. Sometimes, my paddle would hit the one in front of me, and other times, I would accidentally clash paddles with the person behind me. But in Dragon Boat racing, teamwork and synchronization are everything. Every stroke needs to be in harmony with the rest of the team for the boat to move smoothly and efficiently.
The Journey to a Medal
It took some practice, but I am a quick learner. With time, I adjusted to the rhythm and learned to paddle in sync with my teammates. As my confidence grew, I signed up for a competition. Competing as a team was an incredible experience. Everyone worked together, pushing forward with power and precision.
To my surprise and joy, our team won third place and a medal! The feeling of achieving something as a team, despite our visual impairments, was incredibly rewarding.
Dragon Boat for the Blind Community
In Canada, the Dragon Boat season typically runs from April to October, and there are various opportunities for blind individuals to participate. This sport is not just about strength; it’s about coordination, teamwork, and breaking barriers.
I hope to see more opportunities like this become available in other parts of the world, so that blind individuals everywhere can experience the thrill, challenge, and joy of Dragon Boat racing.