Are You Ready?: Dragon Boat at Manila Bay

Unless you count the forced participation during P.E. classes, I'd say I barely participate in any team sports, let alone commit to one. But recently, we've had the opportunity to try out one. What I first thought would be a one time try out is turning out to be a regular activity. Sure, we sweat and struggle each session but at the end of every training, there is a fulfillment that we would definitely not get from a sedentary lifestyle.

Thus, we start some of our days in the waters of Manila Bay, paddling with all our strength aboard the dragon boat.

About Dragon Boat

A dragon boat is a boat similar to a canoe and kayak and is propelled forward by multiple paddlers on both sides of the boat. The practice of dragon boat racing originated from China as part of ceremonies and festivals dedicated to the mythical dragons in the hope of bringing rain for the rice planting season.

A standard dragon boat would consist of 20 paddlers sitting on 10 rows with the first row acting as a pacer for the whole boat. A drummer (or a caller in the absence of a drum) would dictate the rhythm of the paddling or call out commands to the paddlers. A steerer at the rear end of the boat would manipulate the direction the boat is going by a long oar and may also call out commands to the paddlers.

The Invitation

We've long been invited by our friend to try out dragon boating for a while now. He, in turn, was invited by our former gym instructor, Pat, who is a member of the UP Dragon Boat Team (UPDT). Though eager as we were to try out, circumstances forced as to postpone it many times. Adding to the delay was the limited window for newbie trainings in the so-called Sagwan School (paddle school), which is every first Saturday of the month.

Fortunately, the stars aligned for us on the first Saturday of April 2023. A few days before that, we were first made to sign up and we had to complete the registration as soon as possible since the slots are limited for newbies.

Trainings are conducted at the CCP Bay Terminal by the Manila Bay. The location might be a bit far from where we live but I suppose it is still the closest body of water where trainings can be done.

Sagwan School

The day of our first training arrived and we were excited for what awaits us. We were instructed to wear maroon-colored attire as the place also hosts other dragon boat teams in their respective colors and uniforms. Also shoes and slippers would be required for both land and water training.

The land training acts a sort of warm up and strengthening training before we go to the boats. Here, we first jogged several laps around followed by a series of stretching exercises. It is worth noting that throughout the whole training, the regular members accompanied us as it was also a regular training training day for them.

Warm-up stretches

What followed was circuit training where we move around multiple stations to perform different sets of exercises, ranging from dumbbell lifting, resistance band training, and body weight trainings. We were thankful that we do regular workouts at home. Otherwise, it would have been a grueling morning for us only aggravated by the blazing summer sun.

Finally we were taught about the basics of paddling and soon enough, we were loaded on the boats where we were introduced to several programs on paddling the boat.

The morning went by fast and we soon unloaded, with arms tired and bodies soaked in sweat and salt water.

Thus went our try out of dragon boat training.

At the Moment

Which brings us to the present. I never expected dragon boat racing to be an exhilarating sport. As our first day of training ended, we were actually looking forward to the next training.

The weeks went by and three months in, we have been regularly coming back for more trainings, even attending the weekday trainings, hoping to improve our paddling capabilities.

Land Trainings

In addition to the Saturday trainings, we've also started waking up early on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the weekday trainings. The typical land training starts with a few laps of jogging and lately with matching cadences to improve our synchronicity with the other team mates. Stretching would follow which is definitely important as the next activity would be weight training. We would basically perform 3 sets of five to six exercises. Typically, we would have dumbbell rows, kettlebell swings, squats and raises with bands, and knee tucks, among others. The aim would be to build strength as the paddling would involve a lot of muscle groups.

Once done, boat assignments would be done and we would don our personal flotation devices (PFD), basically life vests and us newbies would borrow paddles.

Dragon Boat Trainings

Each paddler would be assigned to one of the two sides of the boat. Facing forward, the left-hand rowers are on the bow side while those on the right side are on stroke. I've been on the bow side for a while now while K is on stroke, though we both had the opportunity to try the opposite side.

Form is paramount in all aspects of paddling. From the handling of the paddles, to the sitting position, from the way we stretch out are paddling and lifting arms to how we pull and drive water.

We would do several programs on boat where we usually start with form check while performing the most basic paddling, called longs. We are taught the phases of paddling, from reach, catch and drive (where the paddle enters the water), pull (when we move water), to recovery (where the paddle exits the water). A power long would add more power to a regular long though maintaining the same pace. Each program starts with a call-out of Are you ready?! and ends with an Easy! command.

Recently, as the team is preparing for the next competition, the trainings are starting to get more intense. We'd do longs, power longs, and hards where at set intervals, the paddling gets more powerful and the pace gets picked up. We'd also do continuous paddling for six minutes with power longs injected here and there.

Of course we need to rest to give us time to recover. I watch the city buildings tower over the horizon past the rows of yacht parked on the blue-grey waters of Manila Bay.

Most team members would dish out words of encouragement particularly during the most grueling of programs, but would also not hesitate to give pointers to correct form. We most definitely do not feel alone during our training days.

What's Next?

Each training ends with cool down stretches, a few reminders from the coaching staff, a prayer and a cheer of Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Laban!

Of course, we have to keep snapshots of the day for posterity 😄.

We definitely still have a lot to improve but hopefully, we can sustain our training and in the future we can contribute to the team as full-fledged members.