By David Carrera, Navy Spouse
See inside the September issue of Military Spouse Magazine:
PCSing to Okinawa had its challenges: a new language, new customs and basically starting over; we’ve all been there but maybe just not as far away as Japan.
I dove straight in and began immersing myself in the Japanese culture of Okinawa Island life. My wife led me to discover, and eventually volunteer to help out the Yasha Dragons Okinawa, an all-female, mostly military spouse dragon boat team.
The Yasha Dragons Okinawa were founded in 2018, and are a relatively new team in a crowded dragon boat racing circuit in Okinawa. Ninety percent of the team is military spouses; about 10 percent are veterans or active duty military.
Dragon Boat racing dates back to 402 B.C. originating in South China and then making its way eventually to Japan. In Okinawa, Japan, the races are known as “haari boat races,” and historically took place in festivals for fishermen for the purpose of praying to the gods for a safe voyage and good fishing.
“When we come together at a race, or for anything dragon boat related, it’s like a well-oiled machine. Everyone who joins the Yasha Dragons Okinawa is known as a ‘Yasha,’ as ‘one of us.’ Their family is now our family,”
said, Kristen Fogle-Tull, the Yasha Dragons’ coach, Marine Corps veteran and military spouse.
The Yasha Dragons Okinawa not only race against local teams, both male and female, but also against teams from all branches of the military stationed in Okinawa. While they are the new kids on the block, they have been tearing through the competition in stellar fashion. With over 30 Yasha team members, they race two boats in every competition, some of which are invitation only. They paddled their way to their first championship at White Beach in Okinawa.
“Winning White Beach. Wow, that was an amazing feeling,” said Kristen. “As a brand new team, we knew everyone was wondering what we were made of. We had to break old habits in order to find our own style. We knew this race was setting the stage for the entire season, the competition was tough, and we killed it. We were so happy. It really solidified that we had all made the correct decisions, and what we had was really something special.”
They say success leaves trails and this type of success has drawn the interest of other countries such as Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea, all of whom have taken notice and invited the Yashas to race amongst the best they have.
The Yasha Dragons Okinawa practice twice a week in a grueling session of amazing strength and stamina. But what about those races? Team member and military spouse Nadia Singer said she tells herself one thing to get through them. “‘Shut up and paddle,’ that’s all I want, shut up and paddle.” When asked if that is the team motto, Nadia shook her head, laughed and said, “That’s my team motto, is that what counts?”
The Yashas encourage teamwork and have a wonderful support system which includes providing childcare during practice and a team chef, Chef Mike, who cooks for them during races to keep the team fueled up for victory. This is not just a dragon boat team; it has evolved into a family. My role? I have it easy, I just take photos and help out with social media and fundraising by selling T-shirts, while a few other male spouses help steer the boats (or Kaj as it’s called).
“Joining the Yasha Dragons, gives spouses a chance to experience the true nature of Okinawan culture. It provides them with a network of positive women to experience this with,” Kristen said.
In fact, dragon boat racing has become so mainstream that it has been entered as a demonstrator sport in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “I truly believe it will be in the next Olympics,” said Kristen. “That being said, it’s a sport that is so attainable to so many people. It’s so much more than putting your paddle in the water and moving the boat. Being in great shape definitely helps, but it’s very much about technique.” “It’s a great sport to get to meet other women (spouses) and join in the camaraderie,” said Nadia.
“You get to explore the entire island at different races, and also travel Asia competing, something that I wouldn’t be doing if I just stayed on base.” “We’ve had two Yashas leave in the last three weeks, it’s heartbreaking,” said Kristen.
“You develop such a bond, but then new members join and bring something totally different to the team we need, even if we didn’t realize we needed it.” The Yasha Dragons Okinawa have developed into an amazingly successful team in a very short time, and Kristen is certain many Yasha’s will keep the dragon boat tradition alive after their time in Okinawa is up.
“I would bet that if a Yasha receives orders to go to a new duty station, one of her first five, if not her very first search… will be to see if there is a dragon boat team in the area. That makes my heart happy,” Kristen said.
Kristen’s not wrong. Dragon boat teams have popped up in almost every state of the union, and it shows no sign of slowing down — and neither do the Yasha Dragons Okinawa.
