Learn How To Dragon Boat Race

Have you ever wondered if you could learn how to dragon boat race? Perhaps you have seen some of those amazing videos online of teams flying through the water and having the time of their life. Maybe you have been lucky enough to catch a team practicing or even racing and wondered if this could possibly be the sport for you. The truth is that dragon boat paddlers come in many different shapes and sizes. The age range is even more inclusive, and we have seen paddlers from their teenage years all the way into their 80s learn to dragon boat. Dragon boating is a low-impact but high-intensity activity and age-related backets make it possible to be competitive at nearly any age.

Why Learn to Dragon Boat Race with Us?

You think having fun is…well, fun
You love competing
You want to improve your fitness and have a reason to train harder
We offer high-quality coaching
The lake is beautiful, especially at sunset
You want to take cool boat selfies to increase your social media game
You get to meet great new people who will splash you, call you names, feed you amazing food, smell really bad at the end of a long practice, convince you to dress up in silly outfits, push you harder than you can push yourself, and basically become your new water-family
You are looking for a healthy new addiction
You have lots of dragon artwork lying around and need a justification for it and a place to show it off
You wonder how we earned the monicker Wun Fun Cru and what it would be like to be a member of a team like that

If you think that learning to dragon boat could be for you, we would love to welcome you to a no-commitment trial paddling session. We welcome people from 16 to 106, and with any level of paddling experience. Our coach, Grace Genetia, has worked with the US National Team, and our program has helped paddlers develop to the point that they represented Team USA in international competition. Our team recently qualified for the 2024 Club Crew World Championships in Italy. So when we say that we can help you learn to dragon boat race, we mean it. Whether you’re holding a paddle for the very first time, or wanting to compete at the highest of levels, we can help you achieve your paddling goals. Interested in learning more? You can find us on MeetUp here and sign up for a no-obligation session to learn how to paddle. We typically meet three times per week at the beach of the historic Lakeside Inn of Mount Dora and paddle Lake Dora. Note that some sessions are open to new paddlers (or newbies, as we affectionately call them) and others are for experienced paddlers only. The latter will be clearly indicated on MeetUp.

Requirements to Learn How to Dragon Boat Race:

You must be at least 16 years old
You must be able to engage in rigorous physical activity
You must sign a waiver before boarding the boat. To speed things up, please download it and complete it before arriving.
Please wear comfortable athletic wear and shoes that can get WET. You can bring your preferred PFD, if you so desire. We can provide paddles, PFDs, and often seat cushions for newbies.
Please bring a canteen or water bottle. You will need it.
Please wear sunscreen or bug spray, depending on the elements
Initial fee: $10 per session

What You Will Learn:

Basic safety information
The most common dragon boat commands
We will size you for a paddle and PFD
The basic applied physics of paddling
How to properly hold your paddle and position yourself in the boat
The basics of the stroke, including the set-up/paddles up position, the catch, the pull/drive, the exit, and the recovery.
Personalized tips to help with your form and technique

What Makes a Great Dragon Boat Racer?

There are a number of traits that newbies typically bring with them when they learn to dragon Boat. You might call them the 6 C’s:

Coachability – the ability to follow directions, accept constructive criticism, and work for the good of the team are all key.
Competitiveness – the desire to stand atop that podium and the willingness to put in the work it takes to get there are what drives a good team 12 months out of the year.
Community – dragon boating is definitely a team sport with 22 people trying to work as one. Here at Wun Fun Cru, we try to take that to the next level. We are a team through thick and thin. Our camaraderie is very important to us. Unlike some teams, you’re not competing to “take” a seat from one of your teammates for an upcoming race. You’re working with them so we can all become better paddlers and a better team. (Plus you never know when you might be wearing grass skirts with them at the luau, or exchanging secret Santa gifts at the Christmas party.) We pride ourselves on having the best community on the water.
Cardio and fitness – dragon boating has been called “the most intense 2 minutes in sports.” It requires a reasonable level of physical fitness, endurance, coordination, and mobility. From the shore, dragon boating might look like it’s all arms. Once you learn how to dragon boat, however, you will come to understand that it is a full-body exercise that places big demands on your core. Endurance matters more than strength, technique more than endurance, and timing more than anything. That said, this is not just a leisurely float across the pond. No matter how good your technique and timing, there will be times you will be asked to give 100%. You don’t have to bring extreme athleticism to the table as a newbie, if you are willing to develop strength and endurance as you go. In fact, dragon boating can be a vital part of a very effective fitness program.
Confidence in the water – if you are afraid of the water, this may not be the sport for you. Few of us have ever flipped or swamped a boat, and not all of us are strong swimmers, but a dragon boat is not the place to overcome a fear of the water.
*Cooperativeness – we are a small team from one of the smallest towns in the southeast to actually host a competitive dragon boat team. Anything that needs to be done we few, we proud, we band of wet paddlers must do. Newbies don’t just distinguish themselves on the water, they help with fund-raisers, help maintain the boat, participate in team activities, and are there for their teammates.

If you feel like you can bring these six things to the table, and you would like to learn how to dragon boat race, we would love to meet you. Please sign up on Meetup, and come learn to dragon boat race with us.