NAHA, OKINAWA, Japan -- Marines dug deep into the blue waters of Aja Port during the annual dragon boat races to propel their 32-man boat across the water attempting to defeat other military and civil services at the Naha Haarii 36th annual Dragon Boat Races May 5.
In addition to teams from civilian agencies all over the island, each of the four branches of the U.S. military stationed on Okinawa competed for top honors at the annual event alongside their Japan Self-Defense Force counterparts.
The races are held each year during Golden Week, the longest annual holiday period for the Japanese people. Golden Week is a series of holidays in Japan that can last between eight and 10 days marked by discounted rates at establishments around Japan and festivals.
The Single Marine Program has been holding practices at White Beach since February. They were being instructed by members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, according to Randy Mitchell, one of the coaches with SMP and a cadence drummer during the race.
There was a male and female Marine team for the races and both of them took third in their heats which knocked them out of contention for victory.
The Marines gave a good showing despite their loss, said Mitchell.
Especially “for a team that hasn’t really rowed together,” said Lance Cpl. Michael B. Espinoza, the SMP vice president for Camp Foster and one of the rowers.
“It’s not about strength really, but teamwork,” said Lance Cpl. Kyle Rosenbaum, a rower on the boat.
But teamwork has been difficult to establish for the Marines because only about half of the team had been there for a substantial part of the practice sessions, said Rosenbaum.
Espinoza whose permanent change of station orders are scheduled for this time next year is looking forward to helping out with practices, possibly racing but ultimately ensuring better participation next year, he said.
The teams are not completely done with the completion of the races, said Mitchell. The Marines will be hosting a barbecue for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s EOD, Saturday, to thank them for their time and effort in training and also to make good on the bet they made with EOD.
The Marines bet they would beat their Japanese EOD coaches in the race, and if they didn’t they owed them a barbecue, said Mitchell. Saturday is payback day.