Dragon boat is the fastest growing team water sport in the world. Why does a sport that consists of 20 paddlers in a heavy wooden boat with a steersperson in the back and a drummer in the front racing against other boats appeal to so many people? The sport is super competitive, encourages team building, challenges people of all different athletic backgrounds and sizes, and most importantly is addictively fun.
After only three years of paddling with Pennsylvania Dragon Boat Club, I can without a doubt say that my involvement with dragon boat has changed my life. It is so rare to find a co-ed sport where everyone is treated and seen as equals, but in dragon boat, nothing matters other than how well you can move the boat with your paddle. Dragon boaters are a special type of athlete and women dragon boaters, especially, are a force to be reckoned. That is because…
1. We are diverse
Arguably the greatest aspect of dragon boat is that anyone can succeed in this sport, regardless of age, size, background, gender, or previous athletic experience. So many sports have an ideal body type in order to succeed, but in dragon boat, all you need is an unwavering work ethic, grit, and drive. Our diversity is a huge advantage since anyone can join the team and become a great paddler, and everyone’s different perspectives result in a higher achieving team. In a world that constantly scrutinizes and stereotypes women, it is a relief in dragon boat that all women regardless of physique are celebrated and embraced.
2. Being strong is a lifestyle
Dragon boating is a strenuous, whole-body workout. Each stroke starts from your toes and progresses through your body ending with your hands. Power in every stroke is essential to move the boat to win races. Women dragon boaters are not scared to get “too bulky” or “look too strong” because that is the goal. Cross-training with weight lifting and other activities are part of the dragon boat lifestyle to be as strong of a paddler as possible. Elite paddlers are serious arm and back muscle goals. Watch out for the women of dragon boat cause they can kick serious booty.
3. Giving up is not an option
Not only is physical strength important to be a successful paddler – mental strength is the other part of the equation. Dragon boat races can range anywhere from a 30-second long race to a 10-minute long race, but the goal for each race regardless of distance is to completely exhaust yourself and exert all of your energy by the end of the race. A lot of mental endurance is needed to continue to push yourself with every stroke and giving up during practice or during a race means letting down the 19 other paddlers working hard next to you. No matter how much our bodies are hurting, we find the strength to push past it and never give up paddling hard for our team.
4. We build each other up
Dragon boat is the epitome of a team sport; no one person can be an all-star and carry a team, and everyone must contribute their equal share of effort in order for the boat to move as quickly and efficiently as possible. Because teamwork is crucial, we greatly value building a strong support network to motivate each other to keep improving. On and off the boat we encourage each other to train hard and to reach our next goal. We are each other’s biggest fans and we are all stronger as paddlers and as a team for that. There’s nothing better than a group of women who build each other up and support each other unconditionally!
5. Consistency and dedication are our foundation
Paddling consist of the same motion repeated over and over. Because of the repetitiveness, the key to becoming a good paddler is mastering a consistent technique. To build muscle memory, dedication to train consistently is crucial. We are on the water multiple times a week, practicing the same motion over and over again. The commitment, devotion, and perseverance required to master this skill are vital characteristics of a paddler and you better believe those characteristics carry through to other aspects of our lives as well!
6. Fear is not in our vocabulary
The women of dragon boat are fearless individuals who are ready to take on any challenge. If we can push our bodies and minds to the max for a race, there is little we cannot do. Paddling is not similar to other more mainstream sports like soccer, basketball, or running. The paddling motion is not very natural and the effort and training required to become an efficient paddler take time. We have all taken a leap becoming dragon boaters and did not let our fear of failing in a new sport stop us from pushing past the initial awkwardness of learning to paddle. There’s a reason why there is a breast cancer survivor division to the sport. These women have gone through extreme cancer treatment but have risen above and utilized this sport that both challenges you and empowers you to become a better athlete and person.
7. We are a community
At the end of the day, the women of dragon boat are a community. We empower each other through this sport and bond through our dedication, commitment, and the common goal to become better paddlers. By training next to each other both in and out of the boat week after week, we have built an unbreakable bond through our passion for this sport. Even women on different teams are still part of the broad women’s dragon boat community since it is difficult not to be inspired by the strong women in this sport. Being a part of this community is life-changing and so empowering for women of all types and backgrounds.
*All photos provided by Paul Alba