About the Team
Indonesian roots. Global spirit.
The Indonesian Maple Dragon Boat Team is a newly formed, grassroots team composed entirely of beginner paddlers. Our members include students, young professionals and parents (Indonesian diaspora community members), many of whom have never paddled before, but all of whom share a desire to connect, stay active, and proudly represent Indonesian culture in Canada.
Dragon boating, with its emphasis on unity, rhythm, and collective strength, strongly reflects Indonesian values of gotong royong (cooperation). For our community, this team represents belonging, visibility, and shared pride.
Why We Paddle
For many of us, life in Canada has meant adapting to a new environment, new systems, new cultures, and often, new identities. While Canada is home, there is a deep desire to stay connected to our roots and to one another.
We paddle because:
• We want our children to see Indonesian culture represented proudly in public spaces
• We want to promote Indonesian cultures to people in Canada, specifically in Toronto
• We want to show that beginners, when supported, can grow into confident teams
• We believe community is built not by individuals, but by people moving in the same direction
Every practice session is a small victory. Every synchronized stroke is a reminder that we are stronger together.
