Who may join the Wellness Snapdragons?
Anyone above the age of 12. The team is co-ed, open to survivors of all cancers and their supporters.
Why dragon boating for cancer survivors?
Our team celebrates the end of cancer treatment by encouraging people to begin a new, exhilarating activity that promotes healing and growth. Dragon boating will help you recover upper body flexibility and core strength adding a healthy dose of competition. Please visit our history page.
What is the commitment?
The Wellness Snapdragons will practice on weekend mornings at 9 am. You may choose either Saturday and/or Sunday. Standard membership to practice with our sponsoring club, the DC Dragon Boat Club, is $100. There are additional fees to participate in festivals.
Which festivals are under consideration for 2011?
Sept. 17,
How many people make up a team?
The dragon boat holds 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steerer. The coach may sit either in the drummer's seat in front or s/he may be the steerer. There are 10 benches, each occupied by two paddlers who use un-fixed paddles. You may want to start with your weaker side by the water, but soon switching sides mid-practice or practice by practice will feel better.
What do I need for practice?
All equipment is provided. Dress in water-resistant clothing appropriate for the weather. Bring gloves, drinking water, sunscreen, and a hat!
Do you practice if it is raining?
Yes! This is a water sport; however, we will not go out in dangerous conditions. It can even be pleasant to paddle in a warm rain shower when there is not a lot of wind.
Describe a practice.
Practices, at the Gangplank Marina, take about an hour and a half: warm up, safety, fundamentals of the stroke, and paddling on the water. Practice will start with stretching exercises in the park across from the Marina. If you are practicing for the first time, a "veteran" will explain the fundamentals of the stroke before you get into the boat. You will do drills to get comfortable with the stroke. After that, you will work on synchronization, power, race starts, endurance, and practice races.
How long is a race?
This is a sprinting sport. Races are 200, 250 or 500 meters.
What is the Carnation Ceremony?
Most dragon boat festivals start by awakening the dragon and then commemorate people affected by breast cancer with a carnation ceremony. This year the Carnation Ceremony will include reading of the award-winning poem of the Snapdragon Poetry Competition. The paddlers in the boats competing in the breast cancer division will join hands across the gunnels, toss carnations over the side, and paddle out together.
Further questions? Please peruse this website and feel free to send an email.