The Desert Falcons team gathered once again for a vibrant training session on Tuesday evening, November 12, proudly sporting our orange jerseys. It was a cool evening at QD’s – Deira Creek, and the excitement was high. With the big race drawing closer, every paddle stroke counts. Weβre gearing up and getting stronger!
Splitting into Two Boats π£ββοΈπ£ββοΈ
Our session began with everyone arriving at 7:00 PM sharp. After a quick warm-up at 7:15 PM, we loaded into the boats. Tonight, we split into two strong teams, each led by an experienced steerer. Intan took charge of Boat 1, while Neil led Boat 2. By 7:30 PM, we were gliding on the water, ready to take on the evening training.
Boat 1 Lineup:
- Bow Side (Left): Ferdz, Khaled, Greig (a.k.a. Glenn), Lambert, Babiker, Jacob
- Stroke Side (Right): Richard, Evie, Osman, Nafih, Nhiel, Mahmoud
Under Intanβs guidance, Boat 1 focused on perfecting their timing and power strokes. The team worked together seamlessly, keeping a steady rhythm as they paddled down the creek.
Boat 2 Lineup:
- Bow Side (Left): Tonette, Loren, Steve, Radhi, Dennis
- Stroke Side (Right): JJ, Jobai, Alnita, IS, Paul
Coach Neil steered Boat 2 with precision. This team brought their A-game, focusing on endurance and building speed. The paddlers synced their strokes, moving smoothly through the water. It was fantastic to see the coordination between both boats, pushing each other to do better.

Distance and Drills ποΈββοΈ
We covered an impressive 5,900 meters in total during this session. The moving time was 55 minutes and 20 seconds, with the entire training wrapping up by 9:15 PM. We focused on building endurance and refining our technique, key elements as we prepare for the upcoming races. The steady strokes, the powerful paddles, and the team spirit made this session unforgettable.
Why We Train Hard πͺ
Every session brings us closer to our goals. With the big race just around the corner, the Desert Falcons know that hard work and dedication are what will make the difference. Weβre excited about the progress and canβt wait to show what weβve got on race day!
For more tips on how we prepare, check out our Guide to Prepping for Dragon Boat Competition. Also, read about our recent Dragonboat Fitness Challenge experience to see how weβre leveling up as a team.
Wrapping Up the Evening π
After a strong finish, we docked the boats and cooled down with some stretches. The energy was high, and everyone felt accomplished. Itβs incredible to see how far weβve come together as a team. Letβs keep paddling strong, Desert Falcons! Every stroke takes us one step closer to victory. π¦ πͺ
See you at the next training session, and rememberβkeep the spirit up, Falcons!

