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Dragon Boat Canada


IDBF


Canoe Kayak Canada

183 Guests, 0 Users

[p0et]

Not sure where to put this post. If you're read my last post, you'll know I'm thinking of getting into dragon boat racing. What clothing is recommended for this sport?  Is it the same as rowing clothing? I assume I'd need a toque/hat, gloves (waterproof), running type of pants and long sleeve shirt (waterproof), etc..? I don't have anything right now, so I'll have to hop in my first dragon boat today with my work slacks or jeans and just a regular long sleeve shirt and waterproof coat with my running shoes.

Thanks!

[butter]

Don't wear jeans!  Please!

I'd say the clothing for dragon boating would be different than rowing.  You're going to get wet when dragon boating, not so much with rowing.  Avoid cotton if you can.  If you are paddling in the winter, you're going to need proper winter paddling gear (visit the MEC website or store), otherwise you'll be cold and not have much fun.  In the warmer temperatures, anything quick dry would work, for both top and bottom.  Try to avoid overly baggy clothing (particularly if cotton) as these will twist and stretch when wet and again decrease your level of comfort.  As for your shoes, I'm assuming you're going to be paddling in some body of salt water as you're posting on this forum and not the Eastern one.  If you want to dragon boat in running shoes, that's fine, just don't expect to wear them anywhere but in the boat.  They will get NASTY!

Best advice I could give is to visit MEC or some other similar retailer and get yourself some proper paddling clothing and gear.  You won't regret it.

[p0et]

Thanks for the reply butter. I forgot about the shoe part and I may render them useless for anything other than dragon boating. Hmmm..

[wanker]

Flip-flop sandals, a quick dry t-shirt and a pair of paddling shorts.  Try to find something water resistant with some zipping pockets for your car keys.  Some people like the padded shorts, but those are for girly-men and girly-girls.  Once you develop your own set of arse calluses, you're good to go.  I do admit to using the fingerless neoprene gloves, however.   

For colder weather, you may want a quick dry longsleeve.  For rain/snow/hail, just wear a water repellent windbreaker type jacket and similar pair of pants.  Depending on the season & weather, of course you will want sunglasses, sunscreen, bug repellent (although I'm not sure how necessary that might be at False Creek), etc.  Some people wear ball caps or other hats, but I find them distracting.  Can't say I've ever paddled with a toque on.  If it's that cold, our water gets a little bit hard  (I'm in Calgary). 

[p0et]

Ah, I was begining to wonder where you were!  I'm in Victoria and will try paddling on the Gorge in a few hours. If my fingers are going to be that close or in the freezing ocean, I'm thinking I'll get some neoprene gloves too! Right now, it's still cold and rainy out, so I'm thinking it's not t-shirt and shorts weather (yet). I'm trying to find someone in town who sells those ball caps with the coolmax terry band. Also trying to find waterproof pants. So far the cheapest I found was $85 at MEC. Unless I get rain pants, but bad review here: http://tinyurl.com/2flw6b. Still looking.

[butter]

I would say gloves in the winter months are a must.  The thicker neoprene ones from MEC are good.  I can guarantee your hands will get wet.  The Gorge is not as nasty as False Creek, but the shoes will still be ruined.  I miss paddling on the Gorge (I'm in Ottawa right now).  My only water sport right now involved shoveling snow and chipping ice off my driveway which, if I may say, is the lamest water sport around. 

Have fun today!  Wish I could be there.

[p0et]

Awww, come on.. you have to get a snow-blower.  That'll make your shovelling sport so much more fun! I'll try and pick up some booties today too while at MEC. I could use them later on for surfing too.

[Bolero]

I like wearing a toque when it's chilly outside.  If it's wool, and maybe fleece-lined, it will keep you warm even when it gets wet.

[Colossus]

Awww, come on.. you have to get a snow-blower.  That'll make your shovelling sport so much more fun! I'll try and pick up some booties today too while at MEC. I could use them later on for surfing too.

you'll want to throw them out after a month or two at the MOST...   and at $12 each pair, why not?  haha

[Colossus]

for cold and/or wet weather paddling, all I would normally wear would be a pair of MEC thermal tights, some board shorts to allow my hips to swing/rotate on the seat, a Helly Hansen ProWool long-sleeve, MEC neoprene water socks, and my PFD.  that kept me warm enough until I got off the water and was able to change into warm/dry clothing. 
there was one day when i wore a running jacket between my shirt and pfd, but it was -5 with 2 inches of snow on the docks and a cold, biting wind. 

But, whenever possible, i'd take off my shirt in an effort to distract/blind anyone else who might be competition with my pasty whiteness.   

[p0et]

So I just finished my first time rowing (paddling?) in a dragon boat!  I sure felt awkward like I was splashing everyone in the boat.  I still don't know the difference between twisting with your core verses twisting with your (back?).  My back and fingers are very sore today though!  The good thing was that I was warm through the whole thing. Never even got my shoes too wet. Speaking of which, I couldn't find any booties that would fit my big feet. I'll see if I can just buy some cheap new pair of shoes.

[Bolero]

Footwear is such a personal choice.  I've seen people in sandals when its freezing outside.  I go really cheap - when it's cold, I wear and old pair of runners that I don't care about getting wrecked, and a pair of wool socks.

[Colossus]

i think clothing in general is a very personal choice.  My very first practice with the false creek men was an outrigger practice on a COLD november night.  I didn't know any better, so i wore a light-ish shirt and shorts and was managing.  5 minutes later, i'd huli-ed twice and was freezing.    one of my teammates on an old team used to only wear a tank-top no matter the weather.