26 August 2010

Dragon Boat Racing come and try day 28AUG10

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Just happened to be floating over Lake Burley Griffin early one Saturday morning, doing a little instructional flying time with a friend. This gave me a chance to look over the side and video the unfolding Dragon Boat Race below. For a different angle on your usual Dragon boat race have a look at the above.

The more I watched the more intrigued I became, we could hear the beat of the drums across the water. The call of the drummers easily reached us at our vantage point. The water churned from the 20 paddlers driving their blades in sync, the helmsman fights for control, and then the cry of the victors as they crossed the line far ahead of their competition.

It was surreal and exciting, so much so that after finishing up for the morning I googled Dragon Boat racing. I found a club at http://www.navmat.asn.au called the NAVMAT Dragons which seemed an apt name.

As it happens they are a friendly bunch and always looking out for new comers to enjoy their sport. They use words like “fun, and a great way to make new friends while increasing your strength, endurance and power”. They will even train absolute newbies. That would be me.

Just so happens to be a come and try day this weekend and the following was taken directly from their website.

NAVMAT Open Day

Saturday Aug 28

The NAVMAT Dragon Boat Racing Club Open Day is a free and open social event for all adults looking to be more active and get fit enjoying an outdoor activity on the lake. Even if you have not experienced paddling before in a Dragon Boat, this is a great opportunity to get out in the sunshine and paddle.

You will meet experienced members from the NAVMAT Dragon Boat Racing Club who are keen to teach you how to paddle and ensure that your first dragon boat experience is fun and exciting.

Please come and give it a go. There really isn’t much to lose other than a bit of energy and sweat.

The Open Day commences at 11am and goes until around 2pm. Come early so you don’t miss out on the FREE sausage sizzle and fruit after your paddling session.

Experience modern dragon boat racing and test yourself against other first timers in a race. The boats will be fully dressed with the symbolic head and tail of a dragon.

All fitness levels are welcome, but you must be over 18 years old.

Map of Lotus Bay
Meet close to the “G” of Lennox Gardens
paddlers picture

Where is it?

Please meet on the Southern side of Lennox Gardens, on the shore of Lotus Bay. Basically it is on the opposite shore of Lotus Bay to the Yacht Club and the jetty pier at point A and B. Please see map.

What Should Be Expected in the New Season?

The new season commences September. There are three levels that you can choose from.

Social Level – For any who like to get outside on the lake, have a bit of fun and are after a low to medium intensity training session. Basic Level Sessions are on Saturdays 9am – 11am.

Competitive Sports Level – For those who are after a challenge and would like to get involved in racing against other competitive teams in Canberra. Training sessions are intermediate to high intensity level, held Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:45pm – 7pm, and Saturday mornings 7:15am – 8:45am.

State/Australian Representative Level – For highly motivated and disciplined people with a passion and commitment to Dragon Boat racing. These individuals are committed with proven skills and fitness levels and are able to achieve the benchmarks that are required for selection. You can aim to be part of the ACT Fire Dragon Boat Team for season 2010-2011 or indeed Australian Team selection for the 2011 World Championships in the USA.

To Get Started:

Please come to the Open Day and we will provide you with all the information you need and teach you how to paddle.

We will see you there. PADDLES UP!

Looks like a great way to start a morning with a large groups of like minded individuals.

Cheers Justin.

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Check out ausdbf.com.au
There are about 20,000 paddlers all around Australia (and 52 million dragon boaters around the world) but because it is not an Olympic sport it is not funded by the AIS and therefore gets very little publicity – even when the World Championships were in Sydney in September 2007

It is good fun, but pretty hard work actually.

That looks to be the ACT and Australian champion Ice Dragons crew cleaning up in that race.

For anyone interested this is a great sport guaranteeing an all-over fitness.

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