Dragon boating is a unique, fun sport.
I recently registered with the Charleston Paddle Club meet-up group and joined some members of the local dragon boat team for an hour-long morning practice session on the Ashley River. (Members compete in regional events, and their practice sessions are open to novices.)
Several people gave me pointers, loaned me a “splash jacket,” and off we went.
Sitting side by side on benches in a very long, narrow canoe-like wooden boat, everyone plunged a paddle in the water and stroked continuously to one side — right or left (depending on where they were seated).
As we paddled in cadence using quick, efficient strokes, the boat slid through the water.
After half an hour, everyone switched places with the person next to them (and the boat didn’t overturn!) to paddle with the other arm.
A steersman sat in the back of the boat and used a rudder to guide it and the person in front of him counted strokes aloud.
I didn’t dare take my eyes off my paddle to turn around and actually watch what they were doing, however.
A helpful member told me that one person who’s “off” messes up the synchronization (no pressure there!), so you really need to focus and keep up — although you can simply take your paddle out of the water any time you get out of sync or need a break.
While you’d think dragon boating would take a lot of arm and shoulder strength, the paddlers’ power actually comes from their core.
To paddle with your left arm, you brace one foot on a metal rod on the floor and turn slightly toward the center of the boat — then lean forward, hold your arms nearly straight out in front, rotate your torso to the left, insert the paddle in the water, pull it back, turn back to the center and repeat.
While it was intense exercise and I could feel it some in my arms and shoulders while we were paddling — surprisingly enough, they didn’t ache at all afterwards since the energy was coming primarily from the center of my body. (My midsection, however, was a different story; it was sore for days! I now definitely know where my core is.)
It was an extremely cool experience to be part of a friendly group of people paddling as a single unit and enjoying the beautiful morning on the water together. I do some kayaking, but this was fun in a completely different way.
Can’t wait to get out and paddle on the river again!
—
To read posts about my other athletic activities, see:
- Polga (Yoga and Pole Dancing) Awesomeness
- Exotic Chair Dancing: Not Your Grandma’s Exercise Routine
- Aerial Yoga: A Fun and Uplifting Experience
- Ping Pong: Not Ready for the Olympics
- How to Add a Low-Cost Reading Rack to Your Treadmill to Make Walking More Fun
- Sports and Hobbies: How Many Can You Squeeze into a Lifetime? 79 So Far…
- Zumba is Exhilarating
- Stand up Computer Desks: Take a Load Off your Seat
- Take a Load Off Your Seat #2: Adjustable Stand-up and DIY Cycling Desks
- Confessions of an Adult Learning to Swim
- Nothing Makes You Feel Better than a BODY PUMP Workout
- How to Add a Reading Rack to a Treadmill
- Fitness Fun with FitBit
- Fitbit Fun — 10 Months Later
- Don’t Lose Your Fitbit! A Fabulous Fitbit Accessory to Keep the Clasp from Opening
- Fitbit Charge Review (New Product to Replace Fitbit Force)
- Stand-up Paddleboarding: Testing the Water
- Do-it-Yourself Cooling Towels for Summer’s Hottest Days
- Regal Princess Review: Top 20 Amenities
Well that really sounds like fun! I like doing fun and different stuff like that too. I hope you took a lot of cool pics!
Carolann recently posted…Sunday Sassy Selections
Glad you enjoyed the experience and look forward to you joining us on the water again.
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