Club of the Week: Join the Al Bandar Dragon Boat Team

Jay Asser 09:02 11/02/2016
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  • Club members train thrice a week in Abu Dhabi.

    Few sports require as much coordination and synchronisation between team-mates as dragon boating. Fittingly, Abu Dhabi’s Al Bandar Dragon Boat Team are a close-knit group whose chemistry isn’t limited to being on the water.

    As competitive as they are once they get in the boat, the club don’t take themselves too seriously and have plenty of fun on the social side. It’s no wonder then that the club was formed by a group of friends in November 2011. They developed into a group that encompassed where they trained – Al Bandar Marina.

    Robyn Smith, whose now the administrator for Al Bandar Dragon Boat Team, was one of the people drawn to the club and decided to join when she first arrived in Abu Dhabi from the UK two years ago.

    “Because I lived in Al Bandar, I could see them from the balcony training,” said Smith, who works for the British Embassy. “So I thought I better go down and find out what they were doing. Then I joined and I was hooked. I had never done watersports before in any way, but I think it’s a really good introduction to paddle sports and watersports.

    “In the Abu Dhabi world of brunches and ladies nights, I needed find something a little bit more healthy and positive to fill my days. In doing so, I’ve got a great bunch of friends out of it.”

    In addition to their weekly training, which takes place at Raha Beach on Monday and Wednesday at 19:00 and Friday at 09:00, the club get together for social events.

    Those activities include bowling, boat trips to Bahraini Island, kayaking, paddle boarding, Friday morning volleyball matches at Al Manara, and after-training hangouts at Pacifico TIKI Dining Lounge. Don’t let their enjoyment away from the water fool you.

    When it’s time to get in the boat, the club are all business and compete in local regattas across the UAE with the intention of winning. Focus, both physically and mentally, is key to success in dragon boating.

    “It takes your whole body. It’s not actually an arm sport, you’re really using your core body so it builds up your core strength really well,” Smith said.

    “Mentally, when you’re racing, it’s all about keeping your focus inside the boat. You don’t want to look at the people on either side of you because they’ll distract you and they’ll have a different technique.”

    Al Bandar Dragon Boat Team are looking for new members to join the team for the rest of the season.

    To join one of the regular session, message Smith beforehand through their Meetup group at www.meetup.com/Al-Bandar-Dragon-Boat-Team.

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