Sing Tao (April 24): story about Gung Haggis dragon boat team and the ADBF public paddling program
The ADBF public paddling program is a wonderful, safe and easy way to try out dragon boat paddling. Life jackets and instruction are provided for $2, and your signature on a waiver form.
The most frustrating thing would be to find yourself paddling with 19 other people, who have no idea what they are doing. We pair every paddling neophyte up with an experienced paddler, as a paddle-buddy + have two boats paddle side by side, so you can see what is going on. We also have a mini-race to give you a chance to taste the adrenaline from dragon boat racing.
Sing Tao newspaper came out to the ADBF public paddling session last week. Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team assists with the program, providing instruction and experienced paddlers for the 30 to 40 minute paddle on False Creek from Dragon Zone, the ADBF club house. Last week about 9 new paddlers came out to try dragon boat paddling for the first time in their lives, and they had a blast!
Some of the paddlers have enjoyed the paddling experience so much, they have asked to join the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team!
The Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team emphasizes a multicultural atmosphere, simultaneously with fitness and fun. The team was the 2005 winner of the David Lam Award for best representing the multicultural spirit of the at the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival.
Coach Todd Wong (me), gives a short history of dragon boat racing from China to Vancouver, explaining some of the cultural and historical background of this 2000 year old activity that came to Vancouver in 1986. Todd is an experienced coach, having won many medals coaching and racing on teams at races in Victoria, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Kelowna and Vancouver, since 1993. He has served on the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival Race committee, as well as the CCC Dragon Boat Association Board – where he helped to found the Vancouver International Taiwanese Dragonboat Race.