Get ready to dive into the spirit of the CIS Alumni Dragon Boat Team! In this feature, we sit down with Captains Melody Liu ‘13 and Austin Wan ‘14, and Vice Captains Ben Chia ‘12 and Sarah Yeung ‘12. We went behind the scenes to discover their stories, their passion for the sport, and their vision for building a competitive and supportive community both on and off the water.
As the largest CIS alumni sports and social group, there’s always room for more in the boat! Feeling inspired to paddle? Reach out to the team at cisdboat@gmail.com or send them a message on Instagram @cisdragonboat.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
ML: This is my fifth year paddling with the team and my second year as captain. Leading the team last season was an unforgettable experience—especially while juggling the whirlwind of planning my wedding in just three months and navigating a job transition at the same time.
I spent nearly a decade in Public Relations, with my last role leading Global PR at CASETiFY. Now, I’m diving into the AI world as a Project Lead. Fun fact: like many other millennial kids, I learned to play the piano. But my true musical love is Guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument, in which I’ve earned a Diploma certification.
AW: Funnily enough, the timelines of my working and paddling careers are very similar: 2018 was the year I came back to HK after graduating from college, started paddling with CIS, and started working at Macquarie as a software developer. I took a break from paddling over Covid, and took extended leave from work when I had my two daughters. Shortly after returning to each, both teams promoted me to team captain and team lead! Outside of family, work, and CISDB, I spend an unusual amount of time listening to podcasts (at an unusually fast speed).
BC: My journey with the CIS Alumni Dragon Boat Team first began over a casual discussion during a game of golf with my fellow paddler, co-Vice Captain, and Class of 2012’er: Sarah Yeung! After two years, I’m proud to be returning for my third season, not just as a paddler, but now as co-Vice Captain, and am excited for how we’ll continue growing as a team and alumni community! Aside from Dragon Boat, my passions include golf, scuba diving, skiing, listening to and playing electric blues and shoegaze, Bordeaux wines, and reading worldbuilding and fiction novels (especially anything written by Brandon Sanderson or set in Warhammer 40K). I previously practiced as a New York and Hong Kong qualified corporate lawyer for 5 years and am currently an Associate Partner in a private wealth advisory firm.
SY: I was unexpectedly introduced to dragon boating during a CIS Alumni wine event—thanks to ex-captain Stephen Alley and a few glasses of wine. Now, almost four years later, I’m still paddling and loving the journey. For my day job I work as a Strategy Manager at Aussie telco Telstra.
What attracted you to the sport of Dragon Boating?
ML: My most memorable moment at CIS was definitely being on the rugby team—because nothing says “team spirit” like a good scrum. Fast forward to my 30s, I never would’ve imagined myself captaining a team sport, especially one that includes alumni, teachers, and parents!
What I love about Dragon Boat is the perfect balance between personal challenge and team synergy. Off the water, it’s about building your own strength and stamina. But once you’re in the boat, it’s all about syncing with the team to move as one. I always remind the team: we’re truly one. Every stroke you take, your teammates are right there with you.
That’s the magic of the CIS Dragon Boat Team—you’re not just part of a team; you’re building your own family.
AW: Definitely the people. CISDB’s a whole community and a fantastic way to meet new faces. Also, winning! The team had actually won the Stanley Main Race in 2014 – I was in Year 13, and made a mental note then to join the team after college. Learning the stroke was challenging, stretching and straining muscles that aren’t typically used, but it didn’t take long to find the rhythm and cohesion. Now, rain or shine, calm or choppy, it’s always enjoyable paddling as a team.
BC: I usually tell newcomers that the toughest part of Dragon Boat isn’t the paddling itself, but it’s keeping in sync with 17 other paddlers whilst remaining focused as a unit. To me, this is also the most rewarding part of the process and what makes it a true team sport as no single individual, no matter how strong they are, will win the race alone. It is a collective effort that relies on the guidance and encouragement that each team member provides for their paddling partner. If one member struggles, then we all struggle; therefore, it is our responsibility as a team to support and empower each other, whether it’s in or out of the boat. Being able to see the bonds created throughout the season and how it directly affects how well we perform on race days is one of the many things that continues to draw me back to the team. As for the paddling itself, it’s not only a great cardio and plyometric workout, but is also surprisingly therapeutic to be out in the water in the mornings and warming to know that we’re even more ingrained in Hong Kong culture!
SY: I’ve always done individual sports, so joining a dragon boat team filled with alumni, parents, and teachers has been a truly unique experience. It’s incredible how, for a few hours during training and race days, we set everything aside and unite in pursuit of a shared goal— being better than we were last year and bringing the Gold Cup back! Dragon boating is also physically demanding, builds stamina, cardiovascular health, and overall strength. It’s rare to find a sport where success depends on 18 people completely in sync, and that level of teamwork really fosters accountability and discipline that carries over into everyday life.
What is your favourite race of the season?
ML: Hands down, the Stanley Internationals. The energy is electric—you’ve just got to be there to truly feel it.
AW: DWB Regatta – the most family-friendly! Not too hot or crowded, great spectator spots, good vibes.
BC: Stanley Internationals… until we start competing in overseas tournaments or the Hong Kong Internationals!
SY: Stanley Internationals…who doesn’t love a boat party?
What other sports do you enjoy outside of dragon boating?
ML: Strength training and pilates have always been go-tos for me, and I’ve recently taken up running—mostly because I got tired of saying, “I’m not good at it” and decided to change that.
AW: Tennis, or most racket sports, recreationally
BC: Golf, Powerlifting, Scuba Diving, Skiing, Boxing, Swimming, Basketball, and Mahjong.
SY: Golf, lagree
What are your ambitions for the team this season?
ML: With the team doing so well in my first season as captain (arguably our best combined performance if you look at both boats), my main goal this year is a bit different. While my fellow captains focus on driving competitiveness, I want to make the team feel like a home—a safe space where we can work hard, support each other, and, of course, have a great time along the way.
AW: To win! We were on a fantastic trajectory last season, and I want us to continue building on that, especially in terms of blending – many paddles, one stroke. We’ve got the recipe, we just need “flawless execution”.
BC: To win it all at Stanley Internationals on Dragon Boat Festival Day, but most importantly, for our members to see personal improvement and celebrate their hard work from the season.
SY: To podium in the top divisions at every race
Quickfire round – give us the first answer you think of!
- Who is most likely to be late for training:
- ML: Brian (oof sorry)
- AW: James – no more wake-up calls from me!
- BC: Jonathan
- SY: Gavin
- Last one standing at team drinks/socials:
- ML: Sarah and Ben
- AW: Sarah and Flo
- BC: Sarah
- SY: Myself
- Who is most likely to turn up to the wrong training venue:
- ML: Justin
- AW: Brian
- BC: Brian, although I confess that I’ve done this once 🙁
- SY: Brian – we have 3 Brians on the team, guess which one! 😂
- Biggest pet peeve:
- ML: Irresponsibility
- AW: Side convos during a speech/presentation
- BC: People glued to their phones while walking or in a social setting, insincerity, unnecessary shouting, and dog walkers not picking up after their dog.
- SY: Slow walkers, tardiness and talking during a movie
- Your best and worst subject in CIS:
- ML: Visual Arts HL? And Maths 🙁
- AW: BIo/Chem (best), History (MYP)
- BC: Biology HL (best), Maths (worst, hence Law)
- SY: Economics (best), Maths (worst)
What is your favourite memory from CIS?
ML: Definitely being part of the Rugby team—I was a Fly Half! Some of my best memories came from those games and the camaraderie we built on and off the field.
AW: Too many to just pick one… Homeroom/common room shenanigans, sports days, CEP trips
BC: Closing out our CIS year group’s IB graduation night by playing the final setlist with the band my friends and I formed, and the teachers joining us in the common room after our last day of Y13 to finally play Starcraft 1 and Counter-Strike 1.6 with us (they absolutely destroyed us).
SY: Prank day on the last day of Y13 – staying overnight as a year in the lower gym and turning the school upside down in the morning.