JAMAICA will field two entries, an open-event and mixed team, at the Bahamas International Dragon Boat Festival at Goodman’s Bay, Nassau this weekend.

A female quartet of Denise Romero and three members of the Russell family, led by matriarch Chue-Ping Wong Russell, is the latest entry for Jamaica at the highly rated tournament which is expected to draw participation from teams across the Caribbean and North America.

Meet the female members:

Denise Romero

An Immaculate Conception alumna, preparatory through high, Romero is no stranger to water, competing briefly during her school years at local swim meets. She later became a martial artist in 1996, medalling at local and international tournaments and earning a black belt more than 15 years ago. Romero, a marketing executive and client services manager at sponsor McKay Security, started training with the team at Port Royal, drawing on her strengths as a martial artist. Since joining the training sessions Romero has become a natural and expects her background as an athlete and organisational skills will contribute to the the synchronisation expected to power Jamaica’s 12-member mixed team.

Chue-Ping Wong Russell

Watersports have played a significant role in Wong Russell’s life, whether swimming, paddling, a casual boat ride, or just relaxing by the beach. Swim team captain, Convent of Mercy Academy (CMA) “Alpha”, 1988-1992, Wong Russell successfully advocated for the inclusion of swimming as a part of CMA’s sports curriculum, leading the swim team to gold medals. A trained lifeguard and fund raiser who advocated for the construction of a pool at Wolmer’s High School for Girls in 1996, Wong Russell was first a ‘dragon boat racing mom’, dropping off and picking up her children, later accepting an invitation to try the sport. Like a duck to water, dragon boat racing has become her passion, leading Team Hydra to several medals — including gold, silver and bronze — at Jamaica’s first-ever dragon boat festival held in June.

Cassandra Russell

A sports enthusiast from as early as nine years old, competing at preparatory championships in water polo and swimming, Cassandra was a regular medallist, representing Wolmer’s High School for Girls where she also competed in badminton, medalling at the high school and club levels. Cassandra was introduced to dragon boat racing in March and subsequently prepared for Jamaica’s first dragon boat festival, rowing Team Hydra to several medals including gold, silver and bronze. Cassandra’s love for sports and winning medals will be her inspiration in Nassau.

Danielle Russell

A natural-born leader, Danielle has participated in swim competitions from age 10. A former cadet with marksmanship medals and a current range officer, Danielle has been a drummer in the first dragon boat festival for several teams such as Hydra, Jamaica; Generals, representing the men’s team; as well as the mixed and female teams. She equally enjoys drumming and paddling.

Chue-Ping Wong Russell

Cassandra Russell

Danielle Russell