Allen first paddled in a dragon boat race at just 8 years old, beginning a long and evolving journey within the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club. Over the next six years, he progressed through the Beginner Racing League and into the High Performance Sprint Team as a kayaker, developing strong technical and competitive skills across multiple disciplines.
In 2017, Allen shifted his focus to dragon boat racing, training intensely and earning a spot on Team USA as the youngest athlete at age 15. At the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships, he helped his team capture five gold medals and the Nations Cup, an experience that solidified his passion for the sport. Following the pandemic, Allen remained deeply committed to the dragon boat program during its rebuilding phase, naturally stepping into a mentorship role for newer athletes. Recognizing his ability to clearly teach and inspire others, Allen officially became Co-Coach of the Dragon Boat Team in 2025, where he now leads with experience, patience, and enthusiasm for the sport.