This text was initially revealed on Paddlechica.com.
Groups differ from extremely aggressive at one finish of the spectrum to all-inclusive on the different finish, with every little thing in between. Discovering the best group for you is usually a troublesome course of. Some paddlers discover themselves wanting extra of a aggressive problem, but the membership they belong to has extra of a social focus. Different paddlers wish to be on the race crew extra usually, but their ability set isn’t developed sufficient and they also discover themselves as a “spare” fairly incessantly. Some paddlers actually consider that they wish to be on a extra aggressive group, but aren’t fairly prepared to place within the effort and time required to be on such a group. Nonetheless others are pissed off with the shortage of focus or motivation of their group, but are unwilling to even inquire a few extra aggressive group.
Certain, it may be troublesome to vary groups, particularly when you will have created a bond and friendships with the paddlers in your group, however it is very important discover the best group for your self. With a purpose to uncover your perfect group, a brutal stage of honesty and self-reflection is required. Under are seven essential standards to think about. Be truthful and neutral when considering every subject and you’re going to get a stable thought of which kind of group is absolutely the perfect for you.
Neckardrachen group in southern Germany. Photograph: Holger Visser
1. Targets
What are your objectives in taking part on a dragon boat group? To broaden your social circle? To study a brand new ability? To satisfy your life associate? To shed some pounds? To extend your bodily power? To fulfill your aggressive spirit? To gather medals? To journey internationally whereas competing? To be lively? All the above?
Contemplating your objectives will provide help to select a group that most closely fits you. If you’re a extremely aggressive particular person and but you might be on a group that’s extra targeted on social actions, maybe it’s time to re-think your alternative of groups.
2. Time
How a lot time are you prepared to dedicate to the game? This consists of not only a few practices per week, but in addition issues like races (each native and out-of-town), coaching camps, and particular person health club coaching time. These on a extra aggressive group can be required to dedicate rather more time to the group than those that are on a extra leisure group.
A extremely aggressive group will probably require at the very least three on-water periods, in addition to health club periods 4 to 5 instances per week, plus coaching camps and in depth racing, even perhaps internationally. A leisure group, alternatively, may apply a few times weekly on the water throughout the paddling season and never require something additional.
When it comes to hours spent, the time dedication per week on a extra leisure group may be as little as 2-3 hours. On a aggressive group, the time dedication may be nearer to 10-15 hours per week, or much more. If you add in weekend regattas and even week-long coaching camps, the time spent along with your group is elevated even additional.
3. Household Assist
Is your loved ones or social neighborhood supportive of your decisions? Are these decisions sensible for you throughout the context of the opposite actions or tasks in your life? Certain, we will all inform tales of the super-mom who does all of it: she works full-time, has simply delivered a child, will get proper again on the boat and helps her group win a Nationwide Championship. However is that sensible for many of us?
Being on a extremely aggressive group usually means being a bit egocentric. It means prioritizing paddling over household and buddies, so issues like household dinners, social gatherings and even buddies’ birthdays take a backseat to coaching and races. Will your loved ones or circle of buddies be understanding of this?
Puff Dragon Boat Crew in Miami, Florida, United States. Photograph: Aixa Ramos
4. Price range
How a lot of your price range are you prepared to dedicate to dragon boating? Apart from group membership dues, it is very important take into account issues like health club membership, gasoline bills driving to and from practices and races, flights and resort bills for out-of-town coaching camps and races, group uniforms, gear comparable to paddles, PFDs, chilly climate clothes, and so on.
A extra leisure group will usually have decrease membership charges and require a lot much less by way of a monetary dedication on account of much less practices per week, fewer expectations of health club coaching, and can probably compete in only some regattas over the course of a season.
5. Crew Involvement
What stage of participation are you ready to simply accept? Are you happy coaching with a extremely aggressive group, however maybe not competing on the race crew? Are you content material to be a spare within the majority of races with a purpose to stay a part of the group? Would you’re feeling slighted if very robust paddlers who don’t recurrently practice with the group (so-called ringers) had been introduced in to paddle for races, when you are required to take a seat out?
Or would you favor paddling in each race, whether or not or not your group wins? Are you OK with taking part in smaller races for enjoyable? Would you somewhat be on a group that makes some extent to incorporate each paddler on the race crew irrespective of if they’ve attended practices or not?
Outer Harbour Premier and Senior Girls in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photograph: Ed Nguyen
6. Testing
Are you comfy testing in entrance of your teammates? Best groups have some element of testing concerned of their program, whether or not on a paddle erg, an outrigger canoe (1- or 2-man), or health testing comparable to a weight check or cardio check. Testing will not be designed to be a punishment. I like to consider it as a solution to present how all my arduous work has paid off (or a solution to to search out out the place I have to work tougher).
If you’re not comfy testing in entrance of your teammates, maybe a extra all-inclusive group that doesn’t require testing can be a better option for you. Most groups which are extra leisure would not have testing procedures in place as a result of all members are a part of the race crew, irrespective of their skill.
7. Crew Dedication
How dedicated are you to your group? Are you prepared to apply within the freezing chilly? Within the rain? Within the extreme warmth? Or are you extra of a “truthful climate” paddler? Will you go to mattress early with a purpose to be prepared for a coaching session within the morning? Or are you prone to skip an early morning weekend apply since you had a late evening of partying the evening earlier than?
A aggressive group clearly requires rather more by way of dedication than a leisure group. In case you aren’t able to dedicate a big a part of your life to dragon boating, a leisure group may be a better option for you.
Now that you simply’ve learn by means of all seven standards, take a while to think about whether or not you might be higher suited to a extra aggressive group or one that’s extra leisure. Evaluating your self truthfully on these seven factors will provide help to decide the place you’ll greatest match on the broad spectrum of groups.
