A former international dragon boat champion is forming a racing team to represent Squamish.Leo Carl Mendoza won a number of international championships while on the Philippines national team from 1993 to 2002. Now he wants to help Squamish build a strong team to compete against teams that already exist in Pemberton, Whistler, Vancouver and around the Lower Mainland.Mendoza said he's confident he will be able to put a competitive team on the water by the spring, granted he can gather a complete and committed group of paddlers."It takes dedication and discipline," said Mendoza. "It depends on the person and who is willing to learn and increase their capacity as an athlete."Squamish acquired a dragon boat from Vancouver's Chinese Cultural Centre Dragon Boat Association last fall. The association asked Mendoza to teach the sport to Squamish because of his extensive experience. "Dragon boating is a life for me since a teenager," said Mendoza, who moved to Squamish in 2005. "It's a team sport and I like mingling with other people, other races, and setting goals as a team."The local dragon boat hit Squamish waters for the first time last September when Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation (SODC) board member Ted Prior organized a regatta to bring people together on the water. About 14 paddlers raced the boat against the Mt. Cha-Ki Warriors' war canoe and various other canoeists and kayakers. Since then, Prior has been supporting Mendoza by providing dock space on his waterfront land. Prior said the community is fortunate to have Mendoza heading the future dragon boat team."We were given this dragon boat basically because we have Carl living in town," he said. "Once people hear about it I think we'll get more people. Timing and peace of mind is what makes a good team and in three months he feels we can have a winning team in Squamish."A full dragon boat team consists of 20 paddlers sitting in pairs facing the boat's bow (front), one steerer at the boat's stern (back) and a drummer or caller at the bow facing the stern. Mendoza currently has 16 people signed up to compete but only about eight are fully committed to the weekly schedule. Cathie Greenlees is one of the members who are eager to see the team grow. She said she joined because she loves spending time on the water, but found she didn't have many opportunities to do so."Howe Sound is amazing when you're on the water," she said. "But I also do it for fitness and the camaraderie."The team is meeting every Wednesday for practice until the end of October and then will continue with dry land training through the winter months. The team is also looking for sponsors. Those hoping to join the team can contact Mendoza at 604-815-4294.
