?Although Henley Dragons are still one of the leading clubs we could do with a few younger members if we want to succeed in major competitions,? Dennis said.
There are currently 23 dragon boat clubs, mainly in England. This, however, is just the top end. In the charity and commercial sectors it is reckoned that up to 30,000 paddlers take to the water in dragon boats every year.
?I was a rower before I started dragon boat racing,? said Geoff Pope. ?In this sport we don?t get as bogged down with rules and regulations as the rowers do. There is no fuss about weighing competitors, and it is much more of a fun sport.?
My mentor for the morning was chairman Phil Kaye, 37. After some energetic warming up exercises we were off.
Helmsman Isobel McLeod barked out the orders: ?attention?, ?brace the boat?, ?light pressure?, ?50 per cent?, ?100 per cent?, and the ultimate ? ?KICK!?. The latter was when we went at full pace in 500m bursts. I managed three of these before being allowed to become a passenger for 20 minutes of our 90-minute session.
When we returned to the river bank I learned how I should have been paddling. You must keep your outside arm straight, look straight ahead, taking your pace from the two strokes and the drummer, and attempt to twist the outside of the shoulder forward and push your side against the gunwale. When the Helm shouts ?KICK?, it means you push your outer foot hard against the gunwale and try to transfer all the power from your back, arm and leg into your paddle. After such an exciting morning, I?ll be sure to remember for the next time.
- www.henleydragons.com; the British Dragon Boat Racing Association (www.dragonboat.org.uk)
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