Dragon boat ‘twins’ begin to make a name

Kashane and Ashane might sound like names given to twins. However, it is sheer coincidence that a mere ‘K’ separates two professional bodybuilders of no relation who happened to make their dragon-boat debuts for Jamaica in The Bahamas two weekends ago.

Kashane McFarlene and Ashane Gordon-Morrison turned heads and drove the fear of strength into other competitors at the May 2-3 Bahamas International Dragon Boat Festival, moving even rivals to share tips on technique, which, they assured, if mastered, would make Jamaica “unbeatable” with an athletic team featuring former footballer Rushaine Tyrell as well as martial artists Richard Stone, Akino Lindsay and Nicholai Reid.

Introduced to the sport by a fellow gym enthusiast familiar with Jamaica’s dragon-boat captain, Jason McKay, Kashane and Ashane jumped at the opportunity to represent their country in a second sport.

Both returned home as members of the team that lowered the mixed 200-metre with a time of 1:01.82.

“The first time I tried dragon-boat racing, I was like, ‘Wow! This is a new experience’, something vastly different from anything I have ever done, my first time doing any watersport, first time paddling a boat,” said Kashane, who competes in men’s physique bodybuilding as an International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) pro.

Ashane, who started competing locally in 2019 and was women’s physique champion from 2019-2024 before going pro in 2025, said she is now in love with dragon-boat racing.

“I love it. It is challenging, but I don’t mind a challenge. I really had no fear the first time in the boat,” Ashane said, pointing out that she was not surprised by the high level of competition in Tthe Bahamas.

“I knew these islands love the water probably more than we do. I am extremely proud of how the team did. We were up against some tough groups. My expectations for the Jamaican festival in June is to go out and do well again. My goal is to make the team for Taiwan,” Ashane, 45, added.

Kashane is also looking forward to the June 13-14 rematch with Bahamian teams in Jamaican waters.

“The expectation going into June is to lower our times, which is the opportunity to go to Taiwan,” he said, putting a mark on the International Dragon Boat Federation’s Club Crew World Championships, set for August 29-September 6.

“Ashane and I will have more time to prepare. We are also in training to compete in bodybuilding in Barbados and had to taper our diets so we could be good enough to participate in a physical sport,” he explained.

“However, it was a good outcome, the fastest time we had ever produced in training or competition. I also understand the biggest tournament so far in The Bahamas. Last year they had 32 teams. This year, it was a whole lot more, 50-odd teams, more professionals and international teams, people who do this sport on an everyday basis.”