MDBC Executive Team
2023-2024

Maria Nencka

Hi everyone, and welcome to the glorious world of dragon boat! 🐉🛶✨🫶🏻 

My name is Maria (she/her) and I’m Co-President of MDBC for this year! I’m heading into my fifth year of the Commerce program after completing a one-year marketing internship, and I'm minoring in Sociology. 

After being on the team for five years and an executive for four of them, I can wholeheartedly say that becoming a part of MDBC has been THE best decision I ever made while at McMaster. I met some of my closest friends through the sport, and I made memories that will last me a lifetime. Dragon boating is a life-changing sport that will not only bring you closer to your teammates, but also teach you discipline, dedication, and commitment to something greater than yourself. If not for the gains, I encourage all of you to give paddling a try to experience the welcoming and passionate community that I’m proud to call my family! 

If you ever want to talk about dragon boating, Harry Potter, or the best shows to watch on Netflix, you can find me at the Pulse on the paddle erg or lurking somewhere in HSL. Can't wait to meet you at practice! 

Until we hit the water again, let it run! 🐉

Matthew Huynh

Hi! my name is Matthew, I'm a fourth year software engineering and management student and this will also be my fourth year with MDBC. Throughout the years I've been able to grow alongside such great people of our community and learn with everyone. The relationships and bonds I've made are second to none and it was my best decision to join MDBC back in my first year of university. I hope that each of you will decide to become a part of our evergrowing community and experience all these things for yourself! 

Looking forward to seeing you all at practices and hopefully on the water. 

Kavya Sony

Hi everyone! I’m Kavya (she/her) and I will be one of your paddle coaches this year. I am currently in my fourth year of Kin and this will be my third year with the team.  

I had no experience or knowledge of any paddle sport coming into this team, but MDBC has very quickly made this sport and community incredibly important to me. Over the last two years I have made friendships and memories that I will cherish forever and I can’t wait to make more this year. I am extremely excited for another great season of hard work, fun and growth with you all and can’t wait to welcome new members to our family! 

Outside of dragon boat, I also really enjoy traveling, crafts, cooking and assembling Ikea furniture. Please come say hi anytime and reach out if you have any questions or just want to chat! Looking forward to training with you all! 

Fahad Sami

Hey everyone. I will be your paddle coach this year. MDBC has become more than a club to me. The sport and people I love the most, are both in this club, so can’t really ask for more. Very excited to see everyone. It is definitely not an easy journey, but it is something that you will cherish the most once you complete it. It will be exciting training and working hard with the entire team in your corner. Work hard, get hard.

Anna Xia

Heyy! My name is Anna and I'll be one of your paddle coachesfor this year! This season will be my fourth year paddling with Mac's Dboat team. I used to paddle on my high school's team, so I've been involved with dragon boat for a third of my life!

Dragon boat is easily the highlight of my time here at Mac and I'm proud to say that I probably made 80% of my friends through this team LOL. It's crazy to think that I used to be so intimidated by the gym until someone I met at drylands helped show me around. (DM me if you need someone to explore the gym with!) I can't wait to plan some super fun events and see you all there! 

Jennifer Luk

Hi everyone! I’m Jennifer and I’ll be one of your Dryland Coaches for this year! I’m in my third year of Chemical Biology and this will be my third year with MDBC.  

Mac Dboat has undoubtedly been one of the most rewarding and fun experiences I’ve had at university so far. It’s been extraordinary watching our team grow this past season, from enduring sweaty drylands workouts to crossing the finish line alongside top teams in the country. I am so grateful for the encouraging and supportive friends I’ve met, and I can’t wait for you to join our family! Regardless of your current fitness level, I highly recommend you to come out to take your fitness to a new level and meet new friends.  

Outside of dragon boat, I enjoy bouldering, ultimate, cooking, and thrifting. Feel free to message me about anything and I look forward to see you at practices! 

Daniel Hu

*under construction*

Iain Slim

*under construction*

Laura Weiler

Hey everyone! I’m Laura (she/her), your media & design coordinator this year. This is my second year with MDBC and I’m also in my second year of the iBioMed (+ chemical engineering) program. 

I joined MDBC last year with no experience, but looking for something to keep me accountable and stay fit throughout the year. I remember being a little bit intimidated at how fit and strong everyone on the team was but I was really comforted to discover that everyone was so understanding  

Enuri Dissanayake

hi hi :)) I'm Enuri (she/her), your Communications Coordinator for this year! I'm in my third year of Life Sciences (Sensory Motor Systems), and this is also now my 3rd year with MDBC. In first year, one of my TAs convinced me to come join the club, and I'm so grateful that she did. Mac Dragon Boat has genuinely been one of the best parts of my time here, especially considering that I had no idea what dragon boating was before coming here (and that I'd also barely stepped in the gym before). 

Aside from learning about dragon boating and paddling (and the added benefit of the gains, ofc😤), one of my favourite parts of MDBC is the community. I've made some of my closest friends through this club, and no matter what you're going through both in and out of the gym, this community has got your back. You'll make the most amazing memories and friends here, and I guarantee that if you just try it once, you'll be coming back for more. 

I can't wait to meet everyone soon!! If you ever see me walking around campus (potentially with my earbuds in listening to twice or stray kids 0_0) don't be afraid to come say hi :)) 

Eric Guo (he/him)

Hey everyone! My name is Eric (he/him) and I am in my 4th year in the iBioMed (HESE) program! This will be my third year with MDBC! 

It's safe to say that if I had not joined Mac Dragon Boat, my university experience would have felt a lot more empty. Although the sport is easy to pick up, it's so hard to master and has many more layers and finer techniques than meets the eye. Chasing after those little details, constantly improving little by little at this sport, and developing my individual fitness/strength with all the members have given me a sense of purpose and camaraderie that no other club or team at Mac has. Having joined the club with little to no knowledge about personal fitness or the sport to having finished two competitive seasons with the team is something I never saw coming for myself. So, whether you joined because you thought the sport looked/sounded cool, because you want to improve your fitness, or because you got roped along by a friend, I can't wait to see 

what you'll achieve for yourself and the team! 

Fun Fact: I like to fish, and can name/identify pretty much every freshwater game species of fish in Ontario 

Vin Jayasekara

Hey everyone! I’m Vin (he/him) and I am currently in my 2nd year of Nursing. I am this years Social Events Coordinator and it is my 2nd year on the team. 

I joined MDBC because i was really intrigued by the on-water season and the community was super supportive and I could see that everyone focused on building together with those around you.  

Prior to joining I had no experience at all and, in fact, had never even heard of the sport. Now, after a year, I can confidently say I have found something I am extremely passionate about outside of my field of study and am thoroughly enjoying paddling and making new friends. MDBC has been a central part of my uni journey so far and I hope you can find the same joy I do from being a member of this community.  

Fun fact: I’m just a fun guy 🤙🏾 

Andy Pham

*under construction*

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