Dragon Boating: A Unique and Fun Team Sport

Dragon Boating_ A Unique Team Sport

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).

Dragon boating 3As 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.

Dragon boating 2

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:

 

This entry was posted in dragon boating, exercise, fitness, water sports and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

39 Responses to Dragon Boating: A Unique and Fun Team Sport

  1. Carolann says:

    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 SelectionsMy Profile

  2. Roger Jones says:

    Glad you enjoyed the experience and look forward to you joining us on the water again.

  3. Pingback: How to Find Ideas for Blog Posts - Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  4. Pingback: Sports and Hobbies: How Many Can you Squeeze in?Thoughts, Tips and Tales

  5. Pingback: An Embarrassing Childhood StoryThoughts, Tips and Tales

  6. Pingback: Nothing Makes You Feel Better than a BODY PUMP Workout - Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  7. Pingback: Do-It-Yourself Cooling Towels for Summer's Hottest DaysThoughts, Tips and Tales

  8. Pingback: Confessions of an Adult Learning to SwimThoughts, Tips and Tales

  9. Pingback: Meetup Groups: A Great Way to Have Fun, Meet New PeopleThoughts, Tips and Tales

  10. Pingback: Fun with Fitbit -- Ten Months LaterThoughts, Tips and Tales

  11. Pingback: Chair Dancing: Not Your Grandma's ExerciseThoughts, Tips and Tales

  12. Pingback: Zumba® is Exhilarating! - Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  13. Pingback: Unique Yoga ClassesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  14. Pingback: Fitbit Fun: 22 Months LaterThoughts, Tips and Tales

  15. Pingback: Aerial Yoga: A Fun and Uplifting ExperienceThoughts, Tips and Tales

  16. Pingback: Fitbling: A Fun Fitbit Accessory — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  17. Pingback: 7 Things You May Not Know about Fitbit — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  18. Pingback: Polga (Yoga and Pole Dancing) AwesomenessThoughts, Tips and Tales

  19. Pingback: Weight Watchers Now: Wow! — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  20. Pingback: Aerial Adventure Park: A Unique, Exciting Fitness ExperienceThoughts, Tips and Tales

  21. Pingback: How to Find a Lost Fitbit and Get a Free Fitbit Replacement — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  22. Pingback: Fitbit Charge ReviewThoughts, Tips and Tales

  23. Pingback: Fitbit stats amazon echoThoughts, Tips and Tales

  24. Pingback: How to Add a Reading Rack to a TreadmillThoughts, Tips and Tales

  25. Pingback: Fall Fun at a Women's Adventure Weekend in Brevard, North Carolina — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  26. Pingback: 2017 Life GoalsThoughts, Tips and Tales

  27. Pingback: I Am the Woman I Am Today Because My Mother... — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  28. Pingback: Fun New Fitness Activity - Disc Golfing with FrisbeesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  29. Pingback: Fitbit Charge 2 ReviewThoughts, Tips and Tales

  30. Pingback: Escape Room A Unique and Interesting Night Out with FriendsThoughts, Tips and Tales

  31. Pingback: The ultimate adult boredom buster guideThoughts, Tips and Tales

  32. Pingback: Flotation Tank Experience: A One-Hour Relaxing Float in a Tub of Buoyant Water — Thoughts, Tips and TalesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  33. Pingback: Having an Eclipse Party? Head to Target for Fun SuppliesThoughts, Tips and Tales

  34. Pingback: Women's Kayaking and Hiking Weekend: Wonderful Except for the Near-Death ExperienceThoughts, Tips and Tales

  35. Pingback: A Beautiful Adventure at Bulls Island, SCThoughts, Tips and Tales

  36. Pingback: Fitness Fun with FitbitThoughts, Tips and Tales

  37. Pingback: Stretching for health and fitnessThoughts, Tips and Tales

  38. Pingback: 100 fun things to doThoughts, Tips and Tales

  39. Pingback: My completed bucket listThoughts, Tips and Tales

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge