Bucks Founders

Chris & Jacquelyn Wetzel

“Team Wetzel” Chris and Jacquelyn are lifelong Bucks County residents born and raised in Bucks County. They were high school sweethearts at Bishop Egan/Bishop Conwell High Schools and have been together for 35 years. Chris and Jacquelyn currently live in Upper Makefield with their 3 rescue dogs Lucas, Samson and Enzo. They enjoy traveling, being on the water and can be often found at Walt Disney World or in their OC1’s paddling at their favorite spot, Long Beach Island, NJ. Chris and Jacquelyn both work in Healthcare where Chris is the CEO of an Ambulatory Surgery Center and Jacquelyn is a Radiologic Technologist in the Operating Room. Besides dragon boating, Jacquelyn’s other passion is RunDisney. She has completed 16 RunDisney races in Walt Disney World, Florida with 7 of them being Half Marathons. Chris is also a running enthusiast having completed 6 Marathons. His favorite marathon to date is the one he did in 2023 to honor is late father.

With 16 years of experience in the sport of dragon boating and a deep-rooted commitment to teamwork, Chris and Jacquelyn have grown Bucks Dragon Boat from a single team in 2012 to a thriving club with over 200 members in 2026. Their leadership is defined by a “paddlers-first” philosophy, ensuring that whether you are a competitive athlete or a recreational paddler, you have the tools you need to find your power on the water. Under their guidance, Bucks Dragon Boat has become much more than a sports program and is recognized locally, nationally and internationally. Chris and Jacquelyn remain hands-on in every aspect of the club’s operations, all while volunteering their time and maintaining the high standards of safety and excellence that have become the hallmark of Bucks Dragon Boat.

Laurie McHugh (1965-2023)

Laurie McHugh was a lifelong Bucks County resident and lived in New Hope until her death in 2023. Laurie was elected to the borough council in 2016 and also served as council liaison to the Shade Tree Commission, Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce and helped form the borough’s first Junior Council. She also opened Lambertville’s first authorized craft cannabis dispensary, the Union Chill Cannabis Company.

Laurie first began dragon boating in 2010 where she met Jacquelyn and they formed an instant bond that would lead them to start Bucks County Dragon Boat in 2012. The club was one of her greatest achievements and she was so proud of it. On race days, Laurie could always be found with a huge smile, a kind word and was everyone’s biggest cheerleader. Laurie coined the phrase, “BE THE BLUE” and it is a phrase that we still use and abide by to this day. She could be found on the front of a dragon boat drumming as that was one of her favorite things to do on race days. In 2026, we launched the inaugural Laurie McHugh “Be the Blue” Award to recognize one paddler from each team who exemplifies the core values of positivity, inclusivity, sportsmanship, and leadership.

The legacy of Laurie McHugh is woven into the very fabric of Bucks Dragon Boat, serving as a constant reminder of the strength, resilience, and heart that define this club. Laurie’s influence extended far beyond her seat in the boat, she embodied the “all-in” mentality of a true teammate. Her passion for the water and her support for her fellow paddlers helped shape the inclusive culture we pride ourselves on today.

To honor Laurie is to continue paddling with the same dedication and joy she brought to every practice and race. Her memory serves as a powerful inspiration for our club, reminding us that while we strive for speed and precision, the true victory lies in the bonds we form and the community we build together. We carry her legacy forward, ensuring that her impact on Bucks Dragon Boat is never forgotten.