With a graceful posture, a determined gaze, and slightly bent legs, she stood at the stern of the boat, closely monitoring the direction of the dragon boat as it moved forward, ready to make any necessary adjustments. Recently, at the 2024 Guangdong Dragon Boat Championship held in Yangjiang, Guangdong, this helmswoman, Mrs. Chen, who keenly observed her surroundings and adapted to any situation, was called by netizens "the sister who rides the winds and breaks the waves".

Chen Liumei, affectionately referred to as "Ah Mei" by her teammates, is 64 years old this year and currently serves as the helmswoman for the Dabu Women's Dragon Boat Team in Machong, Dongguan. In this championship, the dragon boat team won third place in the women's 500-meter straight-line sprint. According to Chen, apart from farming and selling vegetables, her favorite activity is paddling dragon boats. As a resident of Daliu Village, Shatian Town, Chen has lived by the water since she was young and has enjoyed paddling dragon boats since her youth. She has been paddling for over 20 years now, and her expertise lies in helming the boat.

Every day, after Chen finishes selling vegetables and completing farm work in the fields, she makes time to train for dragon boat racing, even in the evenings. According to her teammates, Chen is usually quiet, but when she picks up the paddle and steps onto the dragon boat, it's like she becomes a different person.

Chen told reporters that besides mastering the technical skills required to navigate the direction of the dragon boat proficiently, courage is the most crucial element. Standing tall on the narrow and swaying dragon boat, Chen needs to ensure the boat stays on course. With constant adjustments to the direction based on the wind and water currents essential, Chen guided it straight toward the finish line. After all, all efforts would be in vain if the dragon boat deviated from its path.

"The most crucial aspect of dragon boat paddling is unity and cooperation, with everyone coming together because of their love for the sport," said Liu Yanhong, the coach of the Dabu Women's Dragon Boat Team. She told reporters that the average age of the participating team members is over 50, with the youngest member being 39 years old. The team organizes two training sessions every day, each lasting at least an hour and a half.

Liu explained that among the team members, some own breakfast shops, while others have to take care of their grandchildren. However, whenever they have free time, they all come together to train for dragon boat racing, showing great dedication. Currently, there are relatively few dragon boat competitions specifically for women, so every opportunity to compete is highly valued. They actively participate in races to gain experience, and their participation in the Guangdong Dragon Boat Championship this time was entirely self-initiated.

"In the future, we hope to see more young people joining us," Liu expressed. She further stated that they would fully prepare for the 2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Dragon Boat Invitation Tournament in Dongguan, aiming to showcase the strength of the women's dragon boat race in Dongguan.

64岁东莞龙舟舵手陈柳妹：乘风破浪，驶向终点

身姿矫健，眼神坚毅，双腿轻微下蹲，站在船尾紧盯着龙舟前进的航向，随时调整方向。近日，在广东阳江市举行的2024广东省龙舟锦标赛上，这位眼观六路、耳听八方的舵手陈阿姨，被网友亲切称为“乘风破浪的姐姐”。

这位舵手名叫陈柳妹。被队友们亲切为“阿妹”的她，今年已经64岁，目前是东莞麻涌大步女子龙舟队舵手，在此次锦标赛中龙舟队获得女子500米直道竞速季军。据陈阿姨介绍，自己平时除了种菜、卖菜之外，最喜欢的活动当属划龙舟。作为一名沙田镇大流村人，陈柳妹从小住在水边，年轻时便喜爱划龙舟，至今已经划了20多年，她最擅长的就是做掌舵舵手。

每天，陈阿姨卖完菜，在田里做完农活，一有空就会来训练龙舟，包括晚上。在队友的印象中，陈阿姨平时话不多，但是每当拿上船桨，踏上龙舟，就像是变了一个人。

陈柳妹告诉记者，除了需要熟练掌握操作龙舟方向的要领技术之外，最重要的是要有胆量。高高地站在狭窄、摇晃的龙船上，舵手陈柳妹最重要的任务，就是保证龙船不偏离方向，时刻根据风向、水流及时调整船的方向，径直朝终点冲去，否则龙舟如果一旦偏离，就是白费功夫。

“划龙舟最重要的是团结一心，齐心协力，大家都是因为喜欢龙舟，自发聚在一起。”麻涌大步女子龙舟队的教练刘燕红告诉记者，参赛队员的平均年龄都是超过50岁的阿姨，最年轻的队员39岁。队伍每天组织集中训练两场，每场至少一个半小时。

刘燕红介绍，队员里有开早餐店的，有要去接送孙子孙女的，但是大家一有空，都会过来训练扒龙舟，非常刻苦。目前面向女子的龙舟赛事较少，因此每一次参赛的机会她们都倍加珍惜，积极参赛积累比赛经验，这次参加广东省龙舟锦标赛便完全是队伍自发报名参加。

“未来，希望能有更多年轻人加入我们。”刘燕红表示，接下来将全力备战粤港澳大湾区2024年粤港澳大湾区（东莞）龙舟邀请赛，展现东莞龙舟的女子力量。

文、图丨记者 石梦卓
翻译丨林佳岱