The New York Indoor Regatta proudly honors the memory of our dear friend and teammate, Ben Lau, whose passion for dragon boating helped shape the community we celebrate today.

Ben believed dragon boating was about more than competition—it was about bringing people together. He welcomed new paddlers with open arms, encouraged teammates to grow, and was especially passionate about introducing youth to the sport. He believed dragon boating taught teamwork, perseverance, respect, and friendships that would last a lifetime.

Together with fellow paddlers from New York City and neighboring states, Ben helped create the New York Indoor Regatta to keep the dragon boat community connected during the off-season through friendly competition, camaraderie, and the tradition of sharing a meal together after racing.

As we gather each year, we honor Ben's legacy by continuing the values he cherished: community, inclusion, sportsmanship, and the joy of paddling. Every race, every new paddler, and every friendship formed is a tribute to the impact he made on our dragon boat family.

Thank you, Ben. Your legacy lives on with every stroke.