This text was initially printed on Paddlechica.com.
Have you ever thought-about attending a dragon boat camp, however are uncertain of whether or not you might be as much as the problem of 5-6 straight days of paddling? Do you marvel what’s concerned in a camp that’s so singularly targeted on paddling? Have you ever inquired a couple of camp, however are nervous not realizing anybody who may attend?
On this publish, I’ve outlined a typical week at one of many camps I coached on the previous two years with a view to provide you with an thought what a dragon boat camp is all about. Needless to say all camps have totally different coaches, schedules, focuses, and many others. and solely you’ll be able to resolve which camp is finest for you.
Final April, I used to be once more lucky sufficient to be one of many coaches at Jim Farintosh’s great dragon boat camp in Indian Harbour Seashore, Florida. It was such an unimaginable expertise to spend time on the water with like-minded adults. What is healthier than a sleepaway camp for grownups, targeted on one thing you’re enthusiastic about? I had such a good time teaching at this camp that I needed to share it with you, in addition to inform you about the advantages of attending a paddling camp.
This text was initially printed on September 23, 2016 however I’ve up to date it in some areas to replicate particulars which have modified, equivalent to the present 12 months and dates of the 2018 camp, and I’ve added extra details about lodging and the outrigger choice, amongst different issues.
Photograph: Jan Oakley
Yearly for the previous 18 years Jim has held his Bow Wave Clinic, a week-long camp for dragon boaters of all ranges from varied international locations. Since its inception, the camp has hosted almost 6000 paddlers from North America, plus a number of from as far-off as Europe, Asia and Australia. Based on Jim, some campers have been attending his camp for over 10 years! It was actually enjoyable to satisfy so many alternative paddlers from so many alternative groups.
What Does Camp Entail?
Camp takes place over six days, beginning with a workforce orientation assembly on Sunday afternoon and ending with a regatta adopted by a BBQ on Saturday. Every day has a yoga class, two practices of 90 minutes every, a mid-day stretch session, particular person assist, and academic talks. Additionally, you will participate in video evaluation twice weekly and there are three socials within the week so you’ve time to talk with paddlers and coaches off the water. As well as, there’s a weekly introduction to outrigger canoes for each camper and optionally available morning periods for individuals who need to work particularly on OC coaching. And this 12 months there shall be a “Greatest Practices” teaching choice and a Diet and Wellness program provided, too.
18-20 paddlers are assigned to a coach for the week. Whether or not a paddler attends the camp along with his or her personal dragon boat workforce, comes with a number of fellow paddlers, or comes alone, every individual is certain to get a high-quality week of coaching, meet new paddling pals and have a great deal of enjoyable. Campers vary in capacity from novice to knowledgeable and the coaches are able to adapt their coaching to all talent ranges.
On-water coaching consists of each approach and endurance work, with loads of breaks for water (it’s Florida and you’ll be scorching!) in addition to a number of breaks to admire the surroundings and native wildlife.
There was no scarcity of dolphin sightings throughout camp. Photograph: Didi Fisher Weinreb
The outrigger canoe (OC) choice will give paddlers the chance to hone their approach on one- and two-man outrigger canoes with top-notch coaches who patiently work with all ranges of paddlers, together with those that have by no means been in an OC earlier than. I’ve been impressed by how many individuals conquered their fears of paddling an OC or of huliing (flipping over).
The OC coaches are affected person and assist paddlers study all about paddling an outrigger canoe. Photograph: Jan Oakley
Ozone Outrigger in Hawaii sends the perfect outriggers for these OC periods. Paddlers who select the OC choice add six one-hour periods along with the dragon boat paddling in the course of the week. These periods are geared in direction of all talent ranges, so whether or not you’re a novice or skilled, you might be certain to turn out to be a extra assured and competent OC paddler. Area for these programs is restricted to obtainable gear.
Dawn OC session. Photograph: Shari Woodside
What’s a Typical Camp Day Like?
A typical every day schedule begins with an optionally available (although extremely beneficial) dawn yoga session on the beachfront patio to stretch all these essential paddling muscle tissues. Paddlers have two on-water teaching periods: one within the morning and one other within the afternoon, which normally final an hour and a half every. Coaches spend additional time on the boat afterwards for one-on-one periods.
Dawn beachfront yoga led by Anne. Photograph: Didi Fisher Weinreb
Throughout the lunch break, mid-day informational talks are given by one of many coaches every day. Some matters prior to now have ranged from “Surviving the Harm Locker” (tips on how to mentally push previous the bodily ache) to “Paddling Properly With These Round You” (the advantages of adapting to your fellow paddlers). As well as, two video evaluation periods are included in the course of the week in order that paddlers are capable of see their approach, perceive their connection to the water, and acknowledge modifications to be made to their stroke.
One-on-one coaching with Coach Christine. Photograph: Didi Fisher Weinreb
What Different Particular Occasions Take Place?
In the direction of the tip of the week groups participate within the Causeway Paddle – a 15k paddle to the causeway bridge and again. This can be a nice option to problem your endurance whereas seeing among the great thing about Florida’s waterways. Groups paddle out to the causeway and are greeted by beautiful views, playful dolphins, and scrumptious orange slices as a pleasant option to break up the lengthy paddle.
Causeway Paddle. Photograph: Didi Fisher Weinreb
The fruits of camp is a 2k race on Saturday morning. The competitors is hard as groups have been making ready for the race all week. However regardless of the will to win bragging rights, it’s all pleasant and everybody helps and encourages their very own workforce in addition to rival groups.
Photograph: Didi Fisher Weinreb
After the race, paddlers clear up and head to a beautiful waterfront lunch on the lodge. By the tip of the week every group has bonded effectively and created new friendships. Every workforce additionally performs a skit, or does another tribute to their coach on the lunch. It’s a good time to poke enjoyable at the coaches and I used to be impressed at how precisely my paddlers have been capable of impersonate me. It’s a busy week stuffed with a great deal of studying and plenty of enjoyable.
Photograph: Jan Oakley
What Are the Lodging Like?
The vast majority of campers keep on the Crowne Plaza Resort, a stunning beach-front lodge the place the entire land-based actions for camp happen. Envision rolling off the bed and right down to the out of doors patio to participate in a dawn yoga session whereas the sound of the surf is gently heard within the background. Image your self stopping again at your room to alter garments and even seize a fast cool-down bathe in your lunch break earlier than heading to one of many instructional talks that takes place within the convention rooms of the lodge. Think about after a protracted, scorching day of coaching merely taking the elevator right down to the patio to hang around together with your fellow campers for the night socials, after which, when you find yourself exhausted from a splendidly productive day, all you need to do is head proper again up the elevator to your ocean-view room. With a complimentary shuttle to Melbourne Worldwide Airport, on-site bar and restaurant with a scorching breakfast buffet, free high-speed wifi, and complimentary parking, the Crowne Plaza Resort makes your week at camp easy and uncomplicated.
Photograph: Crowne Plaza Resort
Who Are The Coaches?
For me, one of many highlights was working with the opposite coaches. Each night within the coaches’ home was like a nerdy session of paddle-talk. We might talk about methods and drills, in addition to methods to assist our paddlers enhance. Lots of the coaches are former Canadian Nationwide Crew coaches. I used to be honored to be included amongst such spectacular skills. Based on Jim, “the teaching workers have lots of of years of expertise teaching dragon boat, dash boats, marathon and outrigger as effectively over 100 world championship wins…an incredible group who works very laborious annually.” The coaches actually work, however we even have a variety of enjoyable on the water. Camp tends to carry out the silliness in all of us at one time or one other!
The coaches at Bow Wave are a bunch of fun-loving paddlers who love what they do. Coach Anthony is likely one of the goofiest! Photograph: Didi Fisher Weinreb
What’s There to Do Close by?
On Thursday, campers have the afternoon off to relaxation and get well from the coaching periods and the Causeway Paddle. The way you spend your free time is as much as you. Some select to discover the close by sights and there are actually many attention-grabbing locations to discover. Cocoa Seashore, a good looking seashore and well-known surf spot, is only a brief drive north. You’ll be able to go to the world-famous Ron Jon Surf Store, take pleasure in drinks at tiki bar on the seashore and even take a surf lesson. A bit of farther north is Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Area Middle the place you’ll be able to tour the museum and even watch a rocket launching in case you’re fortunate. The Brevard Zoo is correct in Melbourne and never solely has all kinds of animals on exhibit, but in addition permits you to get up-close and private by feeding the rhinos and giraffes at particular feeding experiences. And if you’re feeling extra-adventurous you’ll be able to take to the bushes on a zipline with their Treetop Trek Aerial Adventures.
Photograph: attractionticketsdirect.ie
Testimonial from Annie, a First-Time Camper in 2016 and Veteran Camper in 2017:
“My first time in an actual dragon boat on actual water was final 12 months (2016) on the Bow Wave Dragon Boat Camp in Florida. I had realized lots from my coaches, Joann Fegley and Megan Roberts, again dwelling in a paddle pool in Philadelphia, however I used to be excited to truly put it to the take a look at exterior that simulated setting.
“Kristin was my coach at camp, and I used to be a little bit nervous after I came upon I wouldn’t have my acquainted coach from again dwelling, although Joann was additionally one of many coaches on the Bow Wave Clinic that week. However Kristin assuaged any considerations I had about feeling embarrassed by my beginner standing in our first assembly as a workforce. She took time to get to know every of us and went across the circle a number of instances till she had realized all of our names that first night time! (Severely, who does that?!? It was spectacular.)
“Some of the useful facets of camp was the video evaluations. Twice in the course of the week we have been recorded, and Kristin gave every of us suggestions, suggestions, and particular issues to work on. And also you don’t simply study from watching your self. I realized a lot from listening to the suggestions she gave others as effectively. She additionally identified belongings you did effectively or enhancements you produced from one evaluation to the subsequent. After which she knew issues to be careful for with every of us once we have been out on the boat and would name out to us to right one thing, which was actually cool. I actually struggled with rotation, and there have been a pair instances I’d catch myself as quickly as I heard my identify. Or she would name another person out for it, and it might immediate me to verify to ensure my high hand was out over the water! I believed it might be powerful to get essential suggestions, but it surely was really very easy as a result of everybody was in the identical boat (no pun supposed) and it helped to get the corrections within the second when you could possibly modify.
Jim’s group of the clinic week was superb. He has clearly executed a variety of cautious planning of even the smallest particulars. We had simply the correct quantity of paddling every day, supplemented by unimaginable coaches’ talks in between periods to provide your muscle tissues a pleasant break whereas studying about pertinent matters in dragon boating. It was a busy week, however I wouldn’t have it another method.
“Now I’m counting down the times to the subsequent camp! I hope to make this an annual mecca.”
Annie on the rostrum together with her teammates at Nationals in Mercer, New Jersey. Photograph provided by Annie Cushing
The place Can You Discover a Camp?
There are a selection of coaching camps all around the world, sometimes held within the spring in hotter climates. Not solely is it an effective way to get again on the water after a protracted winter, but it surely’s additionally a wonderful option to work in your approach beneath totally different teaching than what you may sometimes be used to. And, in fact, it’s a beautiful option to meet paddlers from throughout with the intention to then join up with them if you journey and be a promiscuous paddler. Based on Jim, “…per week at camp is definitely price 4-5 weeks of normal observe at dwelling, so it undoubtedly kick-starts your season in the fitting method.”
A Google search of dragon boat camps close to you is prone to yield ample outcomes. Phrase-of-mouth is all the time finest, for my part. Ask fellow paddlers in regards to the camps they’ve attended, together with the professionals and cons of their experiences.
