In one of my first blog posts in the series - "My Journey To The Club Crew World Dragon Boat Championships" - I alluded to the fact that I had quite the learning curve to prepare for the races in Italy.

I understood what it meant to "feel the boat", but I really didn't actually "FEEL" the dragon boat.  Sure it was moving and of course the paddlers were paddling hard, but along the course I needed to hone my skills and "feel" the boat as it "sank" (not really) or maybe "bumped" or just the feeling of "slogging along".

The paddlers could really feel the "slogging along" part, as it was harder for them to move that dragon boat along the course.  But, my role was to help them with cues and calls to get that boat moving faster.  Ultimately,  the boat will feel easier for the paddlers to move.  On a good run, the paddlers would say, "I felt like I could paddle forever."  I call that "making the boat sing."  It seems effortless.

Don't get me wrong, no one in that dragon boat takes a break or "lily dips" (i.e. not fully burying the blade in the water).  Each and every one of them paddles extremely hard to the point of being breathless.  But, when things are done right, they're not fighting the boat. They're actually moving with the boat, feeling the boat's speed, and following with their strokes.

That's my job too!  To help them find that "sweet" rate, the one that actually makes that dragon boat 'sing' or float across the water .  So, when the boat "bumps", what are my calls and cues to the crew?  When I feel the boat sink sometime during our race or practice, what are the cues the crew needs to pick that boat up out of the water a bit more?  Sometimes, it's as easy as calling for a "reach'.  Sometimes, I call for them to relax and, sometimes, . . well, you get the idea.  Numerous factors are in play.  The make of the boat (at VI Paddling we use BUK's, at the Victoria Festival we used Millenniums) , the current or tide (even wind plays a factor) and even where crew mates sit will affect the calls I must make to help them propel that boat forward. Our goal is to not struggle with the boat, but to "be one with the boat".

We're finding that feeling and that "oneness" more and more often as we prepare for Italy.  Occasionally, distractions may take one or more paddlers focus out of the boat and that alone will affect the whole boat's movement.  Or, the wake from another boat (or boats) distract us or cause us to tighten up.  However, we're getting more and more focused.  And, our coaches, in preparing us for Italy, have been working us through all kinds of water and wake conditions and scenarios.  In fact, at last evening's practice, Andree was steering that coach boat around like a crazy woman, giving us all kinds of weird and wacky wake to paddle through.  We rode some, we got wet and we learned.  We got better!

Last night's practice, at least for me sitting high at the front of the dragon boat in the drummer's seat (and even up there I got soaked from the waves!), was so much fun!  I'm not too sure what the paddlers thought but as Mavis (the stern) and I were practicing our calls, I was feeling more comfortable in my ability to "feel" the boat and I had a blast!

We are so ready!  Italy, here we come!

Loreli Urquhart, owner of Alter Ego Fitness Experience, is a BCRPA Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor.  She's also fully trained and certified with Can Fit Pro as a Personal Training Specialist.  Loreli is passionate about health and fitness and loves to share her enthusiasm with others! This is one of the many ways that Alter Ego sets itself apart from other boot camps.