First Family of dragon boating emerges

Jamaica’s 1:01.82 in the mixed 200-metre event at last weekend’s Bahamas International Dragon Boat Festival was not only a national record but also showcased a unique first-ever in the five-year history of the event held annually at Goodman’s Bay, Nassau, Bahamas.

The Russells, Jamaica’s First Family of dragon-boat racing, fielded four family members in the final, lowering the national record from 1:04.79, achieved when historically winning bronze in the event last year.

Chue Ping Wong Russell, matriarch of the Russell clan, was joined as paddler by her son, Clayton Jr (17), as well as daughters, Cassandra (19) and Danielle (22), whose signature douli (a Chinese straw hat) and aggressive drumming made her a standout for onlookers from the Cable Beach shoreline.

“The family that plays together stays together,” said Chue Ping, adding with a laugh that her ever-present husband, Clayton, acts as “manager for the Russells”.

Last year, Chue-Ping and her daughters, Danielle and Cassandra, joined by captain Denise Romero-Williams, were the four female members of the mixed team, which won Jamaica’s historic bronze as first-time participants.

“We have always done everything together as a family. Last year was even more exhilarating that I was paddling right beside one of my daughters, Danielle, added Chue Ping,” a water-sport enthusiast, who was at first a ‘dragon-boat racing’ mom, dropping off and picking up her children, later accepting an invitation to try the sport.

Making their foray into competitive dragon-boat racing at the inaugural Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival at Port Royal, May 30-June 1, 2025, the Russells represented Hydra Ja in the mixed event, ironically beaten by McKay Security, with whom they later travelled to The Bahamas in August as Team Jamaica.

The Russells are raring to go for the second Jamaica Dragon Boat Festival, June 13-14, especially with Bahamas aiming barbs and hard at training for a Jamaican invasion, two teams, joined by a third from Trinidad and Tobago.

“We’re ready for them with Hydra Ja in the mixed and a strong Jamaica team in the open,” said Chue Ping, pointing out that Jamaica are already focused on next year’s Bahamas festival.

“We want to break that time, 1:01.82, medal with a better time. However, team work makes the dream work. It can’t be just my dream. It has to be a team dream,” she added.