Chicagoland Dragon Boat Training - Illinois

07/21/2017 06:00 PM - 07:30 PM CT

Location

Frances Mennone Boat House
1020 W. Weed Street
Chicago, IL 60642
United States of America

Description

Adaptive Adventures Wounded Warrior and Veteran Dragon Boat team is expanding in to fill a team in Illinois for the fifth year!  If you are interested in being part of the fastest growing watersport, enjoy being part of a team, are willing to commit to training and competing this may be the sport for you.  Our team will consist of Wounded Warriors, veterans, civilians with adaptive needs, their families, and volunteers.

We will be practicing on Friday evenings in Chicago and will continue running training sessions each Friday beginning on May 5th through August 11th as we train for local competitions.  In the 2013 Chicago International Dragonboat Festival our first ever Wounded Warrior Project and Adaptive Adventures team won over the hearts and a podium position of the festival. This year, we are after the top spots for last year's competitors and hoping to earn another spot on the podium.

 Competitions

GWN Chicago International Dragonboat Festival- July 29th

 

No water or paddling experience is necessary, but a commitment to your team, training, fun, and adventure is. We invite you to apply (again even for those who raced in 2016) for the 2017 Dragon Boat family. 

PLEASE NOTE: We start practice on time and expect members to arrive promptly, ready to go at 6:00pm!

By starting promptly we are respecting your time, our coaches time, and the Greater Chicago Dragon Boat Club's time. 

Every training session will start with yoga/stretching, team building, and technique on land. After land training we will move to the boat and practice on the water! 

 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW FOR A SEAT ON ONE OF OUR TEAMS! (All Participants and Volunteers MUST APPLY to become a member) 

 

What is Dragon Boat Racing?

Dragon Boating, a sport founded in China over 2000 years ago, started as an international sport in 1976 in Hong Kong and has a worldwide participation of over 50 million competitors.  Dragon boats are fast and powerful recognized for the camaraderie, strength and endurance fostered amongst the team. 

The crew for the Hong Kong class dragon boat is typically 22, made up from 20 paddlers in pairs facing toward the bow (front) of the boat, 1 'drummer or caller' at the bow facing toward the paddlers creates the heartbeat and rhythm of the boat, and 1 sweep (steerer) standing at the rear of the boat controlling its track.

Benefits of Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon Boat racing is a fun team-building activity and participating in a dragon boat event can benefit warriors, family, caregivers, and others in numerous ways.
 

- Dragon Boating creates an inclusive environment.
- People of all ages and fitness levels can participate.
- The nature of the sport emphasizes unity and working together.
- Driving towards the finish line produces energy, enthusiasm and motivation.
- Paddlers communicate by cheering each other on.
- The sport encourages leaders to move to the forefront.
- Twenty paddlers in one boat = increased camaraderie. 

Dragon boat races feature an exhilarating combination of premier sport competition in concert with an entertainment showcase for corporations, community organizations, and families.  This is your opportunity to be at the forefront of representing warriors and disabled veterans and their supporters.

How will you train?

We will meet weekly for the first 12 weeks starting with our 'kick-off' event on Saturday April 21st. We will progress into how to paddle efficiently and effectively with your new unit, into phases of endurance and taking this new fitness and family into your at-home life. Together, we will learn how to improve our fitness, canoe stroke, power, and ability to feel the hull of that dragon boat move with speed and stealth.  

You will need to sign a contract of commitment for the summer of 2017 that states you will be able to attend 90% of the sessions. We will work to be a fierce competitor as we compete in the GWN Chicago International Dragonboat Festival along with the Milwaukee Dragon Boat Festival.  

Our team coach and mentors from our 2016 Adaptive Adventures Wounded Warrior team will provide the resources and skills necessary to reach to the highest levels. Our head coach has worked in China as a national team canoe instructor and has worked across the world helping veterans, those with disabilities and many others find Olympic development opportunities and to help identify a team's greatest potential.  We will also have multiple others assisting in the development of this team. We are a family! 

What to bring:

  • Drink bottle
  • Towel
  • Raingear
  • Change of clothes (just in case)

 

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