Aoraki Dragon Boat
Association (Inc)
Christchurch, NZ

Each year, Sport Canterbury actively encourage the locals to 'get amongst it'. In 2008 and 2009 they ran an "Active Women's Festival" during March, and Aoraki Dragons played a big part in these.

This year they have changed it to "Move It Month", and brought it forward to October, so the participants have the whole summer ahead of them - no more procrastinating!

Aoraki are keen to use this as an opportunity to introduce the Dragon Boating to people who want to try something new, fun and active. At the same time it is a chance for teams to attract new recruits.

The schedule is:

Time Activity
5:30pm
  • Welcome and Safety briefing
  • Background and history, structure of a season
5:45pm
  • Basic techniques, calls, commands
  • Warm up and timing drills
6:00pm
  • Crew(s) loads into a boat each at the Owles Terrace pontoon (along with experienced 'buddy')
  • Easy paddle upstream, around the corner, under a bridge or two, practicing basic technique, timing etc
  • Practice a Race start
  • Run a race distance back to the pontoon
6:45pm Unload at the pontoon and debrief

Experienced paddlers will be there to ensure we have some stability in the boat, plus provide the new people in the boat with tips and encouragement.

Aoraki allows for up to about 16 new paddlers per boat, to join our experienced paddlers.

Venue for Training

For 2009, the sessions will be at Owles Terrace (Click here for a map).

 

 

 

What you need to know:
Who? about 12 ‘experienced’ paddlers fill out two (maybe three) boats on each evening.
What days? Normally a Tuesday (or Thursday), which is generally the day paddlers allocate to the sport. See the calendar.
When? Start time is 5:30 pm, finishing around 7pm.
How long? about 40 minutes on the water. See the schedule on the left.

How hard? a relatively leisurely session. Just an introduction to basic techniques. One race start, plus a feel of the race distance.
How deep? Depends on the tide I guess...
Where? Owles Terrace, New Brighton.
What do I bring? Towel and warm clothing for afterwards. Wear light (but warm) clothes, eg a tee shirt and shorts, with a polyprop underneath. Do NOT wear jeans or long pants. Bare feet or "aqua-socks"/ rock hoppers, but trainers can be clumsy/dangerous.
A shower is available (sorry, no hot water).
Toilets and change facilities are available in the secure compound.

Interest is typically very high - ALL 30 places per night are usually booked (with several on a waiting list) for the AWF sessions. In 2008 Aoraki ran two sessions (on Tuesday 11th and 18th March). In 2009 we had 12 women on 4-March and another 34 on 18-March.

Related links or info:
Christchurch Regatta Dates
Other (NZ) regattas and festivals
Water Safety
Training tips

 
Affiliated to NZDBA home - contact us - faq updated: 21-jul-10
(c) Noel Anderton