Do you want to try dragon boating? Contact us to arrange some free training sessions.

We will be training RAIN, HAIL OR SHINE but not in thunderstorms. Be there.

If you’re interested in finding out what Dragon Boating is all about, please come down to one of our training sessions.

What you will need:

Old clothes (as you may get wet!)
Shoes (deck shoes or paddling booties are ideal)
Bottled water
Hat and sunscreen
A change of clothes

Paddles and life jackets will be provided for use during the training session.

Please ensure that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the nominated training time to warm up and take the boat from the shed into the water

Strength Training

The following home based exercise program will strengthen your body and prepare you for paddling. If you would like to know more please ask at the end of our next training session.

1. Warm Up - power walk or jog followed by shadow boxing.

2. Chin Ups - from seated position under edge of kitchen table.

3. Pull Ups – lie under kitchen table, pull chest to table.

4. Dips - from seated position on chair.

5. Squats.

6. Push Ups - on toes (or knees until you can do toes).

7. Partner held Sit Ups (or feet under edge of couch) - front and sides.

8. Crunches (by self) - front and sides.

9. Knee raises to chest - lying on back.

10. Static Bridge - front and sides.

11. Oblique Twists - in the inclined seated position.

12. Chin to chair forward touch.

13. Stretches.

Recommendation - do the above exercises at home 3 times per week on alternate days. On the days between do aerobic work such as swimming, bike riding, jogging or power walks. Swimming is best using the butterfly stroke but freestyle is also good.

Below are some do's and don't in technique.

Don’t

Do not look around when racing. It is the drummers job to keep track of other teams and give instructions to the paddlers.

Timing

Which team is out of time where are these boats in this race?

All 3 teams are out of time, especially the top two.
They are considerably behind the leading boat(s), judging by the tail of the boat in the middle left of the photo.

Working

Can you tell who is working hard and who is not in this photo?
Number 6 and the girl behind her are not doing their share of the work.

Vertical Paddles

See how vertical the paddles are and how close the blade is in each case to the boat.
This gives minimal wind resistance and minimises the lateral forces which steer the boat off course. This is how it needs to be done!

The Catch

Notice the perfect coordination between all paddlers in the photo,
the straight arms, strong top grip and forward rotation of outboard shoulder as the paddlers go forward to the catch.
This is how it needs to be done.