- December 13, 2025
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Rickard Jensen proudly admits he’s been “bit by the dragon.”
The retired U.S. Army first sergeant drives from Holmes Beach to Nathan Benderson Park three times a week in a truck that has been outfitted to look like a dragon boat.
Jensen is the organizer of the Veterans Dragon Boat Team, which operates under the nonprofit umbrella of the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy.
“It keeps me active,” Jensen said. “I’ve also got a lot of veteran friends here, and that’s important to have because military life is completely different (than civilian life).”
Jensen served 21 years in the Army, including a tour in Vietnam. However, about 10 years after he was discharged, he became disabled from a fall off a ladder while cleaning his gutters.
When he fell, his left leg got caught in a rung on the ladder and broke in five places.
After 20 years, he still walks with crutches, but that doesn't stop him from being the first to arrive at every practice to prepare the boats.
During the week, Jensen arrives at Nathan Benderson Park around 1 p.m. for a 5 p.m. practice. On Saturdays, he’s at the park before 5 a.m.
In 2023, his dedication to the team was recognized by the Manatee County Veterans Council when he was named “Veteran of the Year.”
Jensen formed the team in 2021 with just five veterans. Currently, the team has about 25 veteran members who range in age from their late 30s to their early 80s. Both men and women, disabled and not, make up the team.
“We don’t care what branch or what age,” Jensen said. “If you’re a veteran, you’re family. We’re all one group.”
Part of his impetus to form the team was the suicide rate among veterans in 2021 was 22 deaths per day. Jensen had found peace on the water that he wanted to share with others.
The team is coming off a recent, and Jensen says unexpected, victory at the Lake Hernando Dragon Boat Festival Nov. 1. After coming in second place during the first two races, the team won the final race and took home a gold medal.
“We weren’t expected to win anything,” Lakewood Ranch’s John Aloisi said. “But we came together as a team.”
The team was composed of seven men and three women. Jensen said they were up against several all male teams, so it was a feat to win. Somehow, they found their “gusto” at the last moment.
Aloisi, a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant, described dragon boating as “the ultimate team sport.” He said most of their races are won or lost by fractions of a second.
Similar to any military mission, if the team isn’t working together, the mission won’t be successful.
Familiarity is one reason why Jensen and other veterans get bit by the dragon. Synchronized paddling is akin to military marching. Each individual has to stay in step with the whole.
Jensen took great care in designing the team jerseys so every branch of the military is represented. It furthers the team’s camaraderie, but does not stop the good-hearted ribbing between different branches because that’s part of the fun.
The program comes with a few costs for veterans. Dragon Boat 101 is an introductory course that teaches the basics of paddling during four practices. The course normally costs $99 per person but veterans pay $89.
After the introduction, veterans pay $55 a month to participate in the program. The program covers the cost of equipment and entry fees for races. The team participates in about six dragon boat races a year.
Jensen is always seeking sponsors to help cover the costs. He's turned his personal truck into an advertisement on wheels for the team.
Sponsors can put their name on the truck for $1,000 through the Red, White and Blue Sponsorship Program. The truck doubles as a parade float about five times a year.
In 2024, the truck won a $5,000 prize for taking first place in the category of "Best Decorated Vehicle" at the UTC Holiday Parade.
Jensen said much smaller donations are happily accepted, too, but the $1,000 sponsorship includes advertising for a year, a chance to paddle with the team and a team jersey.
Currently, Jensen is raising money to buy the team an event tent.
"Promoting the veteran team and promoting the sport is something I really enjoy," he said. "Maybe some other veterans will get the same feeling I get."
