Celebrating Culture & Connection

Every year, UCA WAVES joins Asian Focus NC for Asia Fest, a celebration of Asian culture, community, and connection. We first participated in the Dragon Boat Race in 2025, and in 2026, we returned with our very own team, the Water Eagles! Along with racing, we look forward to connecting with the community through our Family Well-Being Booth, cultural programming, performances and more. Learn more at the button below!

This year, WAVES is taking our Asia Fest participation to the next level with our very own dragon boat team: the Water Eagles! Since the beginning of summer, our team has been putting in the time to prepare, coming together for rowing practices, soccer scrimmages, cookouts, and plenty of opportunities to bond as a team. As we get ready to take on the annual Dragon Boat Race, we’re excited to see all that their hard work, teamwork, and growing camaraderie will bring to the water. We can’t wait to cheer on the Water Eagles and celebrate this exciting new chapter for WAVES at Asia Fest!

In 2025, WAVES joined the fun at the annual Dragon Boat Festival, marking our first time participating in the races!

Our volunteers promoted wellness through childhood games, meaningful conversations, and community outreach. We connected with many AAPI organizations and leaders, shared information about our conference, and invited participants to take part in the AAPI Health Priority Survey. From setting up to practicing with the CAFA Racing Team, it was a day filled with teamwork, laughter, and authentic connection. Where would we be without such an amazing community?