IF you’ve never given dragon boating a go you have the perfect opportunity to tick it off the bucket list this weekend.
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Flamin’ Dragons are holding their come-and-try dragon boating morning for men of the Hastings this Sunday from 9.30am.
President Andrew Blundell said you would get a workout along with a variety of possible surprises.
“I met my wife through dragon boating, so who knows you might even find your soulmate by attending one of these come-and-try days,” he said.
So if you put 22 men into a 12-metre boat that weighs 250 kilograms, Blundell asked the question of how fast do you think you can go.
The answer is more than 16 kilometres an houre which doesn’t sound like much, but any speed over 10km/h is race pace for a dragon boat.
“It’s one of the best sports you’ll be able to play sitting down,” Blundell said.
But Blundell said the sport was hosting their men-only event because they wanted to change people’s perceptions.
‘It is an emerging sport and we’re trying to change the perception out there that dragon boating is only for breast cancer survivors,” he said.
“We’ve had great support from the cancer clinics which we’re forever grateful for, but that doesn’t mean it’s only for women; that’s something we’re trying to change.”
Anyone over 12 is invited to come and give it a go.
“Club members will explain a bit about the sport and then we’ll get out on the water in our beautiful Hastings River.”
Flamin’ Dragons paddle locally, NSW wide, nationally and even internationally and whether it is 200 or 500 metre sprints or a long distance marathon, it is a sport that will rapidly develop power and aerobic fitness.
Flamin’ Dragons Port Macquarie is the longest established and largest club on the Mid North Coast and invites committed and fit men to enhance our racing squads.
Blundell said if you are unable to make this coming Sunday, all paddlers are welcome to try the sport on any Saturday morning at 6.30am at the Port Marina.
“I came to one of these days six years ago and I was instantly hooked,” he said.
“One of the really good aspects about dragon boating is that it’s a really good workout and you get to meet different people.
“The more competitive you are, the more you get out of it.”
The president said they didn’t only row in the early morning.
“We also paddle at 5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the Hastings River looks magical during the early morning light.”
