A Shui Life (ASL) Deaf Women' Dragonboating

Hi, this is Carissa. A Shui Life is a Portland Dragonboating team for women (Hearing and Deaf) who use ASL to communicate.

 

Dragonboating exists in Portland as a way to connect two cultures, in partnership with our sister city of Kaohsiung in Taiwan. This team also builds a bridge between Deaf and hearing women, and the name reflects that: A Shui Life has the same acronym as American Sign Language, and the word "Shui" means water.

 

(The fundraiser is being done without non-profit status, as that information is unavailable right now, but if it becomes available I will reach out with the information so that donations can be deducted).

Women sit anxiously on the wet, cold uncomfortable planks, hands gripping tightly to the wooden paddles, positioning themselves, looking across to the front. The waves begin to grow gently splashing upon the boat. As paddlers wait patiently for the final call, all women's eyes focus ahead on the raised arms of the leader.

Anticipation. Nervousness. Excitement.

The leader's arms drop, shouting “GO!” The team grunts as their paddles dive hard and deep, pulling back, jump-starting the dragon boat through the heavy current. The paddles stay in sync with the leader’s arms; crashing and slicing through the water, increasing speed as the dragon boat inches closer to the finish line.

A flag catcher climbs on top of the dragon's head, staying calm with intense focus. She clings with her feet to the head, putting her trust on the dragon to hold her. Maintaining balance, she lays outstretched past the head as her stomach holds her body up in the air above the racing water, reaching out for the flag. Paddlers screaming, grunting, aching, full of exhilaration as the paddles row in rhythm to beat other boats to the finish line.

For the flag. For the win. For the spirit