Why do you dragon boat? 25/02/2010
Recently David asked us why we dragon boat. Read what Laurel wrote and ad you own reasons in the comments A post from Laurel D’Andrea the reason why people dragon boat: some may think it is for the fresh air and exercise, but in most cases that is not it at all. How many sports can you take a group of men, women or both of all shapes, sizes and levels of fitness and become this amazing team. Dragon boating does not discriminate young, old, seasoned or new it offers all those with the slightest bit of interest a chance to participate. Why do dragon boaters stay: the answer is simple…family…it is a place where one can forget about life at home, at work and the stress around you and your focus is your team, your technique and what you contribute to the boat as a whole. For the time you are on the water, gearing up for a race or practicing the people in the boat are now your “family” and the experience is like no other. You laugh together, you cry together, you encourage, you empower and you experience what competition is all about. The best way to encourage new people to get involved in dragon boating is to have them experience it first hand. It can be a great team builder for corporations, for couples or for friends who would like to reconnect. As Ivan and Deb would say focus in the boat…if one person is out of focus then it’s up to the team to determine why and help them through it. That is what a team is about, helping your teammates when they need you most. CommentsCarrie Harper Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:35:01 pm A story by Carrie Harper Kendra Smith Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:36:03 pm I was invited along by a friend to try out dragonboating. I nervously dropped in to see if I would like it. Ivan was the coach that day and it was a lot of fun. I paid all my money to join the team and then the next time there was a much tougher coach and I said they must have made sure they got all my money before they took me out with the hard coach! haha! Frithjof Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:37:02 pm I used to watch dragon boat races in Vancouver and Victoria in the early 90s- loving the atmosphere and the energy. I always thought “I want to try that some time”. 10 years later in Frankfurt, Germany I watched another race and saw a sign that read: “Come on Tuesday and try dragon boating”. I never looked back. Since that day DB is my social life, a big part of my work/life balance and a place where I can enjoy and foster my passion. Kimm Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:37:31 pm My moms company at the time had a team and her coworker mentioned that the jr high school I was going to had a team. Waited two years until I was old enough to join my schools team and have been paddling ever since. Clinton Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:38:17 pm Well, my story of how I joined Dragonboating is a strange one. Let’s just say that it had to do with meeting someone off the internet and being recruited from there. Kendra and I have recruited several paddlers over the past couple years. I’ve found that a lot of people are interested in trying the sport but either don’t know how or just haven’t gotten around to doing it. Just talking to people is the best way to recruit people into the sport from my experience. Brandon Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:38:46 pm I first got involved in dragon boating back in the summer of 2004 in Edmonton, Alberta when my dad went down to try it out when a friend of his mentioned it to him and I ‘ve been doing it ever since whenever I get the chance to padde. And this past summer was my favorite season of paddling with the Red Hot Chilli Paddlers in Kelowna, British Columbia. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 7:48:47 am I love the competition and the sense of community of it all! David Harper Red Hot Chilli Paddlers Sat, 27 Feb 2010 5:36:26 pm My wife Carrie Harper said to me one day, let's go Dragon Boating. I said what? Then sure. Carrie has always wanted a canoe and the Dragon Boat is so much better then a canoe. More stable, goes faster and the best part there are 19 other paddlers to keep the boat moving if I get tired. So we went to a house party meeting and that was 2 seasons ago. Last year I learned to steer under the incredible guidance of Ivan. He is an incredible coach and trainer. In 2010 I was nominated by Kendra to be a Director at Large on the KDBC executive. I plan to steer and paddle on the Red Hot Chilli Paddlers and on the Astral Media team, High Frequency. Very fun, I would suggest everyone who lives in Kelowna give Dragon Boating a try. Any corporate groups should consider training and entering the July festival. Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Leave a Reply |
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