Dragon Boat Paddling

HelenWater
HelenWater Posts: 232 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been trying to get into dragon boat paddling for over a year now, but it seems like an all or nothing kind of sport and I'm having trouble getting up to speed. I would like to hear from others who have started a new sport that was beyond your body to begin with, but you stuck with it and became fit enough to really enjoy it.

As some background regarding my fitness, I used to row and race regularly a few years ago, but I have been nursing the tendons In my feet back to wellness with the help of orthotics for the past few years meaning that I haven't been able to do my two favourite forms of exercise, i.e. rowing and hiking. I put on a lot of weight because I got very down about my restrictions. Now my feet are pretty good I can do those sports, but rowing is still difficult because of my shape.

I walk the dogs, use the rowing machines at the rowing club, and I've tried some cycling, but I think I do better in a group setting.

I'm trying to get the benefits for my heart, not just lose weight.

Sorry, it's a bit of a rambling post. I look forward to hearing the experiences of others who now enjoy a new sport.

Replies

  • peacemongernc
    peacemongernc Posts: 253 Member
    I know this is an old post... are you still around?

    Many cities have Cancer Survivor dragon boat teams that have a wide variety ability levels among their members. Actually, there are teams all over whose primary goal is to be supportive of their members, not to be overwhelmingly competitive.

    I've joined a cancer survivor team at the invitation of a friend of mine is a cancer survivor. I've never had cancer. The team is about 2/3 cancer survivors, and the rest friends and families. I'm about to join a second team that is more competitive, and I'm a little intimidated, but I'm glad I have 5 months of paddling behind be before I attempt to keep up with the other team!!!

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE Dragon Boating and highly recommend it!!

    Shannon
  • HelenWater
    HelenWater Posts: 232 Member
    Thanks Shannon, that's all great to hear! There is hope for me!


    BTW the photo in my ticker is a photo of where we launch the dragon boat for paddling.

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