VP-45 Sailor participates in Okinawa Dragon Boat Race

NAHA, OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JAPAN

05.05.2015

Courtesy Story

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet   

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler R. Fraser

NAHA, OKINAWA, Japan - Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Kate Hoover, quality assurance representative for Patrol Squadron (VP) 45, competed in Okinawa’s famous Dragon Boat Race May 5 in Naha, Okinawa, to represent the command and gain new experiences.

Teams consist of 32 rowers, representing businesses and organizations around Okinawa.

Hoover chose to compete in the Dragon Boat Race to break up the monotony of being on deployment and gain a new experience.

“I saw a chance to try something different and decided to try out for the team,” said Hoover. “This will be my last deployment before going back to shore duty so I wanted to make the most out of it.”

Hoover said making it on to a boat team can be a challenging task. The tryouts started with 70 women and after three weeks of tryouts, were dwindled down to 32. The team trained a month prior to the race, practicing three times a week in the water and on a dock at the Kadena Marina and twice in Naha.

After training, Hoover was placed in her all women boat crew named Nirai Kanai. Nirai Kanai is an Okinawan myth about a magical island off the coast of Okinawa where the gods live.

The race consisted of 53 amateur teams and six women’s teams. Hoover’s team placed fifth out of 53 and first out of the six women’s teams.

For Hoover, being a part of the team and coming together to do so well in the race made this an enjoyable experience.

“The overall experience was amazing. Not only did we come together as a team, but we actually became friends and plan to keep in touch in the future,” said Hoover. “It was great to be able to have this experience, and I think everyone who is able should consider looking into Dragon Boat Races.”

Dragon Boat Racing is held during the Japanese holiday “Golden Week” from April 29 to May 5 and is celebrated throughout the island of Okinawa. It dates back to the 14th century derived in part from a Chinese war hero’s death which Okinawans were influenced. In the past, three teams raced in this event from local ports out to the open sea and then back to port. Today it’s an 800-meter lap within the Naha Port, 400 meters out to sea then a 180-degree turn and 400 meters back. It was believed the boats would bring back fertility, wealth and happiness from the sea. Priests would offer prayers for safe voyage and a bountiful harvest.

VP-45 is currently forward deployed to Okinawa to ensure the U.S. is best postured to honor its security commitments and to contribute to regional security and stability.

• Date Taken: 05.05.2015
• Date Posted: 05.10.2015 21:53
• Story ID: 162844
• Location: NAHA, OKINAWA, OKINAWA, JP