Come and join us every Saturday for the ‘The Coffee Run’. The NAVMAT basic training and technique session. We will provide you with a paddle and Personal Floatation Device (PFD) and the coaches will show you the basics to the paddling technique before you get into a boat. You will meet our friendly members and feel safe and supportive. We will sit you next to an experienced paddler, as the best way to learn dragon boating is to watch and mimic the experienced paddlers. Just listen to the coach, relax and have fun. The journey of learning to paddle lasts a lifetime.
Where: Grevillea Park, Menindee Drive, Barton
When: Every Saturday morning – winter included, as NAVMAT members are a tough lot!
Time: 8.45am - until approximately 11:00 am
New Paddlers: Dragon Boating ACT (DBACT) allows new paddlers a Dragon Pass. A month of free trial paddles after which paddlers need to decide if they join a club of their choosing – Let’s hope you remain with NAVMAT! To register for a Dragon Pass, go to the Registration link, choose 'New Member', complete the required details, choose the Registration "Dragon Pass" ($0) and follow the prompts.
Clothes: This is a water sport - you will get wet. Wear comfortable sports gear and shoes which cover your toes are recommended. During winter you will need warmer, waterproof gear. As you progress in the sport you will know what clothes work for you.
In summer you will need a hat and good sun protection.
Bring: A water bottle and on Saturdays you will need coffee money. You may also need a towel and a change of clothes for the trip home.
What to expect: We will kit you out with a paddle and a PFD (Personal Floatation Device).
PFDs are always required for new paddlers.
Then the fun begins with warm up exercises, an exercise challenge if there is one occurring at the time, and then everyone helps put the dragon boat onto the water. Once on the water, the coach will start with the safety drill followed by some basic instructions and some moderate paddling. At any time, you are welcome to take a break. We paddle the dragon boats to the Australian Museum for a coffee stop for about 20 minutes.
On the paddle back to Grevillea Park we may have a race or two to get your heart rate up.
Once back on the land we will pull the boat in, do some warm down exercises, yell our battle cry (see below) and let you know when the next session is to be held.
The membership costs will be explained to you when you are ready. Don’t fear - dragon boating is a relatively cheap sport!
NAVMAT Dragons has a battle cry which we yell at the end of each session. It is: Power! Speed! Succeed! NAVMAT Dragons!
