台大GMBA 龍舟隊挑戰2022台北國際龍舟錦標賽

國際事務室暨GMBA辦公室

撰文者／GMBA陳依瑾、一年級Brian Li Kam Wah

六月十三日星期五，在抵達大佳河濱的比賽會場前，臺大GMBA龍舟隊聚集在大直的Pasta NO30 享用他們的團隊午餐。在他們大啖義大利麵並為比賽填滿能量的同時，餐廳內也洋溢著興奮的氣氛。接著，隊員換上統一的紅色隊服、揮舞著臺大GMBA的旗子前往大佳河濱公園。

午餐後要上場了 After lunch and off we go	使勁划 Row harder

燦爛的陽光反映在基隆河的河面上，激昂的歡呼在河岸上迴盪，龍舟隊抵達了大佳河濱的2022年臺北國際龍舟錦標賽。河濱公園裡擠滿了群眾，有人坐在水泥階梯與隊伍閒聊，有人在河邊為自己的隊伍加油打氣，有人帶著小孩散步。龍舟隊和加油團員們會合後，一起享受這極棒的氛圍。臺大GMBA的副執行長與辦公室同仁帶來甜粽前來加油，帶領在場的學生依循傳統一起享用粽子來慶祝端午節。隨著賽程進行到中段，龍舟隊員已迫不急待地想要跳進龍舟，展開他們在男子組的首場比賽——這是他們準備已久且期待的一刻。去年，因疫情的緣故，臺大GMBA未能參賽，而今年能順利參與實屬慶幸。對某些隊員來說，這場比賽會是他們在畢業前的最後一個大型公開活動。

在這之前，臺大GMBA龍舟隊已進行為期六週的集訓。在這六週的訓練，隊員們從這項運動的新手轉變成可以出賽的堅強隊伍，即使是艷陽或風雨也無法阻擋他們持續練習。這群選手不僅培養出毅力和耐力、絕佳的團隊合作及默契，每個人更建立起深厚的友誼。

「差不多該暖身了！」小黑教練喊著。龍舟隊便立刻集合，開始為比賽前做伸展及暖身。在教練叮嚀一些事項後，隊長也來精神喊話，最後全隊一起大聲喊出：「GMBA 加油！加油！加油！」他們舉起旗子，一邊向他們的加油團揮舞，一邊走向檢錄處的帳篷準備登船。

不只在加油區瀰漫著一股緊張的氣氛，比賽區的選手個個顯得壓力如山大。當「注意、預備、開始！」的聲音還迴盪在出發點，龍舟隊已快速而有力的划起槳，水花四濺在船的兩側煞是壯觀。這是比賽中最重要的30秒，所以他們需要一鼓作氣地往前划，隊員只知道要緊跟著鼓手的呼聲與節奏全力划槳。當他們通過400公尺的終點時，奪旗手爬上龍頭並優雅地伸長手臂成功奪標。 她將奪下的旗子高高地拋向天空——是的!他們做到了！龍舟隊以分組第二名的佳績晉級到下一場比賽。全隊高舉著槳、大聲歡呼勝利，而岸邊的加油團也替他們大聲喝采——臺大GMBA以他們為榮。一下船，隊員們便被加油團簇擁著，興奮的在會場中奔跑。龍舟隊和加油團一起回到休息區享用美味的粽子作為慶祝開賽勝利，不過隊員們今晚必須好好休息，為明天的比賽做好準備。

隔天，臺大GMBA龍舟隊再次來到大佳河濱公園為第二場比賽奮鬥，不過這次他們知道要贏得比賽會更加艱難——因為GMBA龍舟隊是男子組中唯一的男女混合隊。儘管如此，他們依然全力迎戰，也划出成軍以來的最佳成績。可惜最後以第三名作收，無緣晉級四強準決賽。下船後，臺大GMBA龍舟隊的所到之處都受到其他隊伍的大聲歡呼，因為大家都看到這次龍舟隊的優異表現。儘管這次挑戰失敗了，沒關係，下一次他們一定會強勢回歸！

 

台大 GMBA Dragon Boat Team at the Taipei International Dragon Boat Competition 2022

Written by Brian Li Kam Wah (李榮發)

On Friday 3rd of June, the 台大 GMBA Dragon Boat Team gathered at Pasta No30 in Dazhi for their team lunch before heading to Dajia Riverside for their first race. Excitement filled the room as they loaded up on some pasta to have energy for their race. They then all proceeded to the Dajia Riverside all dressed up in their red t-shirts and proudly waving the 台大 GMBA flag.

隊員與加油團 The team and the supporters	大合照 Group photo

The sun was shining brightly and reflecting on the water of Dajia river. The cheer of joy and the excitement echoed on the banks of the river. They were finally at Dajia Riverside for the Taipei International Dragon Boat Competition 2022. The place was packed with people: some sitting on the concrete steps and chatting with their teams; some cheering for their team along the riverside; some showing their kids around. The team met with their supporters, all impatient for the first race. It was a great atmosphere. The NTU GMBA office members joined them and treated all of them to some sweet zongzi (粽子). That was a great way to celebrate the dragon boat festival and follow the tradition of eating zongzi (粽子). As the time ticked by, the team impatiently waited for their first race in the men’s competition. This was what they have been working for and this was the time. The festival was resized to a smaller scale last year due to Covid-19, so this year was the time for celebration- for some, it would be their last GMBA activity before graduating.

The 台大 GMBA Dragon Boat Team has been training hard for 6 weeks. Through these 6 weeks, they have transformed themselves from being new to the sport to being ready to compete. They have developed great endurance and perseverance through consistent training (even training through scorching sun and pouring rain), developed great teamwork and synchronisation and most importantly great bonding and friendship.

“Time for the warm up” shouted their coach, 小黑. The team gathered and started warming up. They did some stretching and warm up and it was time for some advice from the coach. After listening carefully to the coach, the captain gave the final motivational words and they all shouted: “GMBA, Jiayou! Jiayou! Jiayou!”.  Carrying their flag, they waved to their supporters and marched towards the registration tent and onto their boat.

In the supporters stand, there was a tense feeling. “Attention, Ready, Go”- these words echoed across the riverside. The team started to paddle as quickly and strong as possible, water splashing across the side of their boat. This was the most important 30 seconds of the race, they needed that momentum to cruise. They paddled with all their strengths, following the beats and cheer of their drummer. As they passed the 400m mark, their flag catcher climbed onto the dragon’s head and stretched elegantly to catch the flag. She caught the flag and threw it in the air. They did it- they came second in the race, which means they qualified for the next heats. The roar of joy could be heard from the boat with all the team lifting their paddles up in sign of victory. This was followed by cheers and screaming from their supporters. They have made the 台大 GMBA program proud. They were embraced by their supporters as they off-boarded their boat and ran through the crowd with excitement. To celebrate, the team and supporters savoured some nice pork zongzi (粽子)- no time for crazy celebrations, they had to rest and prepare for the next race the following day.

On Saturday 4th of June, the 台大 GMBA Dragon Boat Team gathered for a second time for their second race. This time, they knew that winning the race would be tough- they were the only mixed team in the men’s race. Despite of this, they were ready for the challenge. They boarded the boat and gave their best paddle. Unfortunately, they came third and did not qualify for the semi-finals. As they off-boarded the boat and marched through the crowd, they were welcomed by a large cheer from the other teams. They knew they gave their best and it was a wonderful experience. This was an event to remember. They will come back stronger!