This text first appeared on paddlechica.com.
Dragon boating is a bit like a a cult. one, however nonetheless it’s cult-like. And due to that, there are some truths that simply aren’t spoken about sufficient. After I was brand-new to the game, I want somebody had informed me all of this. Not that all of it would have sunk in on the time, however not less than I might have been forewarned about this loopy, great, painful, exhilarating, addictive sport of ours.
1. Your butt won’t ever be the identical. Ever.
Face it, out of your first day on the boat your posterior has been rubbed uncooked, blistered, or calloused past recognition. Nobody needs to speak about it, however everybody experiences some degree of rear finish discomfort whereas they’re determining the stroke approach. If it’s not the pores and skin that’s being irritated, it’s the “sit bones” which can be simply plain sore. I even wrote a weblog publish about it. It’s actual.
2. Your obsession with perfection is usually what stands in your manner of enhancing.
That’s to not say that you simply shouldn’t deal with approach or consider issues that want work, however obsessing over them and placing all of your focus in your weaknesses won’t ever be a step in the direction of enchancment. I’m nonetheless engaged on studying this lesson.
3. Psychological toughness may be extra invaluable than large muscle mass.
I’ve seen huge robust individuals wilt after 200 meters and I’ve seen small, scrappy individuals persist by means of the longest of items. That’s to not say that you simply shouldn’t construct your muscle mass, however don’t neglect the psychological facet of your coaching. Your thoughts will need to give up far ahead of your physique. Don’t let it.
Photograph: Jeff Holubeshen
4. Your actions converse louder than your phrases, (so maintain your self accountable to these off-the-boat exercises the coach assigns).
In case your group is aggressive, or hopes to be quickly, it’s as much as you to enhance off the boat as nicely. The group will get stronger when every member places in his or her work. Should you’re not holding as much as your finish of the discount, you’re letting your group down, and simply speaking about doing the exercises definitely doesn’t depend.
5. Everybody else on the boat is hurting, too. You’re not particular.
I do know it’s straightforward to focus by yourself ache and struggling, however understand that the complete boat is hurting as nicely (I’m not speaking about damage ache, simply good old school muscle soreness). Don’t maximize your struggling whereas assuming everybody else is ok and dandy. Shifting a ship is a collective effort stuffed with collective ache. Suck it up.
Photograph: Jeff Holubeshen
6. You may be sore, however will probably be price it.
Soreness goes with the territory. Every time you practice you may be sore afterwards. Settle for that as truth and luxuriate in the advantages that come out of your rising power. It’s price each ounce of soreness you are feeling.
7. Expertise means nothing with out constant effort and observe.
You may be one of the best paddler in your group, however in case you don’t put within the time and power to enhance, you’ll shortly be handed up by your teammates. To not point out what sort of an instance you’re setting for others in your group. Would you like a group stuffed with slackers? Or would you like a group full of individuals pushing tougher to be their best possible?
Photograph: Jeff Holubeshen
8. Inspiring others to be higher is essential to a stable group tradition.
Be the one in your group who motivates your teammates in a optimistic manner. As every member improves, the group will get stronger. In the long term it advantages everybody.
9. Your ambition is ineffective with out execution
Many individuals have aspirations of being a greater paddler, maybe even on the nationwide group. However until you’re ready to place within the numerous hours of coaching, you gained’t even come near your objective. Have a plan to attain your dream, then ensure to observe by means of.
10. First place is good, however you’re strolling round with a goal in your again.
Success may be momentary and fleeting, so preserve pushing your limits. If you assume you’re on the high of your recreation, look behind you. Somebody is all the time prepared and keen to take your spot in case you don’t preserve pushing.
Photograph: Jeff Holubeshen
11. Coaching is like homework – it’s higher to maintain up with the each day work than to attempt to cram on the remaining hour.
Constructing muscle mass, constructing endurance, constructing approach, all of it takes time and evolves over a time period. Don’t count on to work actually exhausting proper earlier than a race or group testing and assume that you simply’re going to do nicely. Put within the effort and time from day one to develop correctly.
12. What occurs doesn’t matter as a lot as your response to what occurs.
You win some, you lose some. It’s life. How do you react to your successes and disappointments? Bragging about profitable or making excuses for dropping…neither is an applicable response. Be humble whenever you win. Be complimentary to those that beat you whenever you don’t come out on high. All of it boils all the way down to good sportsmanship. In 20 years it’s seemingly that nobody will keep in mind who gained the race, however individuals will definitely keep in mind somebody with poor sportsmanship.
13. There isn’t any “I” in group.
Nicely…there may be, however…
