GW Career Coaching Director Brings Lessons from Dragon Boat Racing into Her Work

July 21, 2026

Authored by:

Brook Endale

About 10 years ago, Katherine Norton found herself taking a hesitant step onto the deck of a large wooden boat docked along the Hija River in Okinawa, Japan. Painted a bold yellow, streams of wavy red lines resembling dragon scales stretched along the boat's narrow hull. And at the bow sat a ferocious-looking dragon's head with barred teeth.

Used in dragon boat racing, the origin of these ceremonial vessels dates back to a centuries-old tradition believed to have started during the Shang dynasty in ancient China. There are different theories about why this practice was done, including as a ritual intended to ward off droughts.

Through the years, dragon boat racing has remained a beloved tradition and has also become a competitive sport practiced around the world, including in Japan.

And it was while Norton, who now serves as the director of Career Learning and Experiences at the George Washington University, was living in Okinawa that she first discovered the sport.

At the time, she was working as a career coach for U.S. military members and their families. New to the island, Norton wanted to immerse herself in the local culture and meet new friends.

One day, as she walked along the riverbank, she saw a crew of 22 out on the water. They were packed into a boat, seated two by two, paddling in unison to the beat set by the drummer seated at the front.

She wanted to give it a try.

But when it came time to actually step onto the boat for the first time, "Oh, it was terrifying," Norton said. "It's like you're getting on a Viking warship or something. It felt crazy."

Fear and doubt began to creep in. But she didn't want to pass up a chance to be part of a sport with such a rich history.

As a career coach, for years, she's told the people she helps that fear is never a good reason to walk away from an opportunity.

"You have to do the things that scare you because that's where the good growth happens," Norton said. "And I wanted to practice what I preach."

Taking that step launched Norton on a journey that would take her all around the world, paddling in the rivers of Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. It opened her up to an international community and brought friends across different cultures into her life.

In fact, after a few years in Okinawa, her job moved her to Wiesbaden, Germany, and because of dragon boat racing, she found an instant community.

"I didn't know anyone, or speak the same language as them," Norton said. "But they respected that I showed up and put in the work. And even though I couldn't communicate, I was still there and I cared about the sport. And by the time I left, we all parted ways as friends. Even if we couldn't have a fluent conversation, there was just an understanding there that was really beautiful."

When Norton returned to the United States in 2022, she once again found 22 new friends waiting for her when she joined the D.C. Dragon Boat Club.

She's now been doing dragon boat racing for a decade. From the novice who was once scared to even get into the boat, she's gone on to qualify for and compete at the Club Crew World Championships.

The DCDBC First Ladies earned 3 medals at Nationals to qualify them for the Club Crew World Championships in Ravenna, Italy in 2024.

"Resilience is a big part of it. I was horrible my first year," Norton said with a laugh. "I almost didn't make the boat that year. And I really had to dedicate myself to the sport."

Over the years, she's discovered a lot of personal growth through racing. And coincidentally, the lessons she's learned on the water are the same ones she often shares with the GW students she coaches through career services- like the importance of perseverance, communication and working as part of a team to accomplish something bigger than yourself.

"On a dragon boat team, every person has a role," Norton said.

And in a competition, success depends on how well every paddler performs that role.

She said in the heat of the moment, packed shoulder to shoulder in the boat, all you hear is the splashing of the water and the steady beat of the drum. The 20 paddlers try to move as one, matching the rhythm set by the drummer while listening for calls from the steersperson at the back of the boat.

"We have a saying, 'Keep your head in the boat.' You don't want to be looking at what the boat next to you is doing," Norton said.

Now, with years of experience under her belt, Norton has stepped into a coaching role on her dragon boat team.

"I really enjoy helping people realize that it's a journey. It is not going to happen overnight. You have to really dedicate yourself to it," Norton said. "So, teaching someone who has never held a paddle before and getting a group of 20 people to paddle together by the end of a one-hour practice is really exciting."

A standard-sized dragon boat holds 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steerperson. This is DCDBC's Capitol Thunder mixed (10 men, 10 women) crew competing at Richmond, and Katherine is in the 2nd row.

Stepping into that coaching role came naturally. It's similar to what she does every day at GW and what she's spent her entire career doing.

"Being in service to others has become a part of my purpose. It's been a through line throughout my career," Norton said.

She said a caring spirit is one of the qualities she looks for when building the Career Services coaching team.

"One of the best parts of my job is when a student will email me, or email one of my other coaches, and let us know they got the job they wanted, or they got an internship or they've got an interview," Norton said. "That makes our days."

Of all the advice she shares with students, one of the most important has always been to leave room for joy as they balance classes, internships and more.

"I always tell students, 'Find something that fills your cup,'" Norton said. "Work is important, but it's important to have something outside of work, too."

For Norton, dragon boat racing has become exactly that. It's given her adventure, lifelong friendships and joy.

"I could have a busy day or a stressful day. And then you leave that on the dock, and you get out on the water and it's very peaceful," Norton said. "We practice out of the Wharf. You have the monuments behind you. You've got a sunset happening at the end of the day. It's always been just kind of like a happy place."