An Awkward Experience on a Dragon Boat

This weekend people of all shapes and sizes from around the U.S and Canada will converge on Flathead Lake….life jackets buckled and paddles in hand. It’s the 2^nd year for the Flathead Dragon Boat Races. This year, I’m competing in my first race. (Insert nervous chuckle here!)

I showed up to my first practice not knowing a soul….I felt like it was the first day of school. I quickly realized a few things:

-I think I was the youngest on the team.

- I got to sit right behind a hot guy (More on that awkward encounter later.)

-I was now a member of what seemed to be a super competitive team. (They placed in the top 5 last year.)

Attempting to safely get inside the boat and to my assigned seat was the first step. I got in the 40 foot long boat with paddle in hand without going overboard!

Then it was time to paddle. I was a train wreck! Paddling a dragon boat is unlike any vessel I’ve ever operated. I was stepping on my partner’s feet, I kept whacking the poor hot guy in front of me with my paddle, Ihit myself with the paddle and was drenched by the time our practice was over. Let’s hope my 2^nd practice with my teammates goes better. And that I’m ready for the weekend event.