Henry Ha's journey begins at age 16, arriving in San Francisco from Vietnam and being introduced to dragon boat racing by Sarah Wan. Now at 40 and a father, he serves as a program director at the Community Youth Center, coaching teens in this team sport. He reflects on how dragon boating shapes young lives, fostering teamwork and communication across language barriers. His commitment helps instill confidence and positive behavior while preserving the cultural significance of dragon boats, showcasing the impact of sports in immigrant communities.
"When I coach, it makes me happy, makes me feel good about myself, because I can see dragon boats help kids change their attitude, their behavior."
"I don't care if you count in Chinese, Spanish or English, as long as it's in sync."
Ha and the other students use hand gestures to communicate with each other.
Dragon boats... are painted with Chinese dragon-scale patterns in green, blue or red.
#dragon-boat-racing #youth-coaching #cultural-integration #immigrant-experience #community-engagement
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