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Dragon...what? Dipping my paddle into dragon boating

Sunset on the
Washington Channel
I've lived in the Washington, DC area for 12 years and in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood for nearly seven years, so I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that it wasn't until the summer of 2016 that I decided to try my most local water sport: dragon boating.

When people ask me what dragon boating is, I often describe it as paddling a giant canoe with 19 of your friends (plus a steerer in the back and - on competition days - a drummer up front). Of course, it's not exactly canoeing, but that's enough to get a picture started in their mind.

I paddle with the DC Dragon Boat Club, which calls DC's Washington Channel home. Between April and October you'll find us out on the water several times a week. One of the things that I liked about the club from the start was that it was very welcoming to beginners. Each week the coaches and other team members help newer paddlers learn the correct form - and make sure that experienced paddlers are making corrections like rotating fully, planting the paddle, and being as efficient as possible (there's always something that you can improve!).
Racing in the Washington, DC Dragon Boat Festival
in May 2017

Throughout the spring and summer the team paddles in several regattas. Teams generally paddle in a few short races throughout the day (250-500m) and occasionally a longer race (2000m). At the end of the day, there may even be medals for the top finishers - but of course the real reason we compete is to have fun and challenge ourselves, right?

During the colder months, a few brave souls still go out for winter practice, but we also have weekly indoor circuit training sessions. And of course there are plenty of opportunities for social gatherings, too.
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