On July 18, members of the AYLUS Great Neck Branch gathered to begin training for the upcoming dragon boat race. The primary focus of this first session was mastering the fundamental techniques of paddling and, most importantly, understanding the critical role of timing.
In dragon boating, synchronization is everything. If the team does not paddle in perfect unison, the boat loses momentum and slows down significantly. Furthermore, poor timing can cause paddles to clash with one another, leading to confusion and disruption on the water. During the session, everyone had the opportunity to complete at least one full training run, allowing all participants to get comfortable with the basic paddling tricks, form, and rhythm. We also learned how to properly select a paddle tailored to each person’s height and reach, ensuring maximum efficiency with every stroke.
This first day of training laid a solid foundation for the team, building both individual skills and a stronger sense of teamwork.
Reported by Jason Huang
Volunteers who participated:
Jason Huang – 1 Hour
Jiangyuan Yu – 1 Hour