Dragon Boat Festival

9/17/2026 LIYD Racers compete in the 12th Annual Port Jefferson Dragon Boat Race Festival 2026 and won Silver!

On September 19, the LIYD Racers took part in the annual Dragon Boat Festival in Port Jeff. Led by captains Sarah Wu and Kevin Duong, the team took home 2nd place in the Dragon Boat Race against several teams. This was LIYD’s first year making it to the finals and both captains expressing that this made placing 2nd even more exciting. Through hard work and dedication, they were able to row as one and beat many teams made up entirely by adults. However, their success did not come without obstacles. Both Sarah and Kevin agree that one of the biggest challenges was recruiting and organizing practices. Their practices were held in Flushing at 9 AM, and the trip there over an hour long. The LIYD Racers had little time to practice, with Kevin saying, “we made sure we used our time on the water as efficiently as possible.” During these few practices, one key thing they worked on was synchronization, which is one of the most important aspects of dragon boat racing. Sarah states that, “In dragon boat, one person paddling faster does not necessarily help the team; everyone has to move together.” In the end, the entire team’s hard work paid off, not only taking home a silver medal for the first time in the LIYD Racers history, but also raising $600 to donate to the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. After ending the season on such a high note, the team is already looking into and organizing the team for next year, which will be lead by Tony Xu, Valentina Trajkvoic, and Ziya Yin. Anyone that will be over the age of 16 by September 18, 2027, and is interested in joining can contact them by emailing contact@liyouthdevelopment.org. Sarah and Kevin highly recommend joining the team, with Kevin expressing that, “It is not a huge time commitment, but if you’re willing to show up and give it your best, it can be really rewarding.”

Along with the LIYD Racers, many other LIYD clubs were present at the festival. Next to the cookie and brownie selling Baking Club, was the Art Club selling crocheted plushies and press on nails. Together they raised a great sum of money that will also be donated to the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. LIYD’s Photography Club could also be found at the festival, with many of the Racers’ pictures coming from them. The Chess Club was also present and they provided a fun, human sized chess board that kids that a blast playing with.

Reported by Lydia Xu