Our History

A team, whose passion for the sport drives its renewal and evolution....

As of 2026, Rhode Island Phoenix has officially transitioned into the Rhode Island Phoenix Dragon Boat Club (RI Phoenix Dragon Boat), a registered 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. This evolution was inspired by the long-term aspirations of team members to compete at the highest levels of dragon boat racing, while continuing to welcome participants of all fitness levels. The transition serves to streamline administrative operations, thereby reducing the overall burden of managing the club.  

Like all great storries, our story starts with a spider....

Black Widow hit the water as an all female team July of 2015 led by Maly. A 3rd place victory was achieved at the DK Canoe Race Festival, using a five-person canoe at the Holiday Acres Camping Resort in North Scituate, RI. The journey continued in Lowell, MA that same year with members assisting the Trairatanaram Temple team in competition at the 19th Annual Southeast Asian Water Festival. This race featured the classical long and narrow wooden boats and the team was able to take home 3rd place. 

Our team's story starts with rebirth....

In 2016 the spider was reborn as the co-ed Dragon Boat Team "Rhode Island Phoenix" with the team's inauguration race at the 20th Annual Southeast Asian Water Festival in Lowell, MA.

Our past also starts with divine inspiration....

Nakalath was established in the summer of 2014, by building bonds between a circle of brothers.  Also known as Payanak, Naga or Nak; the mythical serpent that according to legends are the protectors of Laos and rule the water kingdom. This name was chosen to honor the teams cultural background. Nakalath journey began with the DK Canoe Race Festival. Although the team did not place, Nakalath's energy captured the hearts of many people. Nakalath then united with other community teams for the Rhode Isand Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival in Pawtucket were the team suprised spectors by making it to the finals in a heat with club teams. 

From the serpents ashes Phoenix rises together...

Kicking off the 2017 season, the team took part in the canoe races at the first Southeast Asian Water Festival held in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Phoenix placed 2nd out of 14 teams. In September the team paddled in Rhode Isand Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival in Pawtucket. With commendable effort Rhode Island Phoenix placed 3rd in the Lion Division. The final race of the 2017 season took place two weeks following the Pawtucket festival. Joining forces with New England Top Gun at the inaugural Worcester Dragon Boat Festival held in Worcester, MA, the team placed 3rd overall in the club division. 

Together we continue our mission to inspire others, preserve our traditions, and unite as one.  

A global pandemic and a broken boat...

In 2021 RI Phoenix partnered with Ocean State Dragon Boat Club as RI Phoenix's boat needed skilled repairs and the pandemic caused lower membership with both teams.  The teams raced as Ocean State Phoenix at Hartford, Springfield and Laconia. Both teams participated in the home state race at Pawtucket by themselves. 

In 2022 Ocean State and RI Phoenix continued to collaborate and participated in the home state race at Pawtucket by themselves. 

In 2023 RI Phoenix participated in the home state race at Pawtucket by themselves. 

In 2024 the phoenix was roosting.

In 2025 the team helped Dragon Boat Z at the Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival. RI Phoenix was proud to  participate in the first collaborative dragon boat demonstration at a WaterFire lighting, featuring paddlers from every Rhode Island team. We finished the season at our home state race as Pawtucket by themselves.