COMPETITION EXPENSES FOR GERMANY 2025

Greetings,

I am an impaired dragon boat paddler living in Phoenix Arizona. I was honored to be selected for the first ever Team USA Paradragons worldwide dragon boat competition August 2023 in Thailand. Paradragons are dragon boat paddlers who are living with some form of physical, psychological, neurological, sensory development or intellectual impairment. I fell off a mountain in 2018 and shattered my tibia and fibula in 30 pieces. This caused decreased mobility and endurance in my left leg. I suffer from neuropathy, and I am unable to lift my left foot off the floor. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto disease, which is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid. I am training for our next world event August 2025 in Germany and requesting assistance with camps, races, equipment, and travel expenses.

We placed 5th and 6th on our first attempt as a team. While we did not medal, I gained incredible knowledge collaborating with people with different impairments. Dragon boating is a family sport, we must paddle in unison for the boat to be effective. We will improve in the next two years as we can practice and race more with each other. I am currently trying to buy an erg rowing machine to improve my endurance and strength.

I was introduced to the sport in 2015 and began competing that year, winning a gold. In 2016 I won a bronze and in 2017, while paddling with two teams, I won a gold, silver, and bronze. Following time off to heal from a broken bone, I made a comeback in 2021 and in 2022 won a gold, drumming for our adaptive team. Team USA Paradragons raced in May 2023 in Sarasota, FL and won a bronze in the open division. We made a collective team in October for the Neveda International Dragon Boat Festival and finished with a gold and silver. I currently practice with Arizona Gila Dragons (dragon boat) and Taz (outrigger) in Tempe, AZ.

Dragon boating was performed for the first time in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games. These traditional Chinese watercrafts have been used for racing for over 2000 years and are known for their decorative regalia. Modern boats are lightweight with 10-20 paddlers depending on the size of the boat, not including the steer person and drummer.

I appreciate any help you can provide to support my dream.

Thank you for your support,

Jennifer Hager

XOXO BEAST

YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU QUIT