Linda Sapolu was born in Auckland, New Zealand, to Samoan parents. When she was 14 years old she and her family moved to Brisbane, Australia which she calls home. She joined KAUST as a founding member in 2009. At that time, she and fellow resident Anne Hewiston, both had an interest in the sport and wanted to start a community club. However, she accepted an opportunity back home in Australia before the club launched. There she joined the local Dragon Boating club and had an absolutely fantastic experience! In 2016, she returned to KAUST, in her current role as the Graduate Program Coordinator with the Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering.  She was delighted to join the Red Sea Dragon Boat Club that was up and running by then. Complete with two top of the line champion boats that have the drums, dragon heads and tails. When President Anne left KAUST, Linda decided to fill the vacancy to ensure that the sport would continue to be available to the community. The club meets three times a week to train for 45 minutes (Mondays & Wednesdays at 5:30 pm and Saturday at 4:15 pm). The club has also provided opportunities for children at KAUST and Thuwal to try the sport. Linda enjoys participating in the club as it fosters team work and social ties, an opportunity to "get away" and be on the water, a great workout and unique views from the KAUST (Beacon) harbor and Safaa canal. Linda is hopeful that community members will regularly participate in trainings with the goal to have 10 core members to enter upcoming competitions abroad!

Published: September, 2018