Desert Falcons training session took off again on Sunday evening, August 17, 2025, at our home waters, QD’s – Deira Creek. Call time was 7:00 PM sharp. By 7:25 PM the boat was loaded, paddles ready, and jerseys on. At 7:30 PM, we pushed off for another evening on the water.
It wasn’t the longest paddle we’ve done this season, but it was powerful. In just 42 minutes and 6 seconds, the crew covered 3,504 meters with steady rhythm and teamwork. Sometimes shorter sessions give just as much value as the long-distance ones—especially when every stroke counts.
⭐ With Coach Alain at the helm
This session was led by Coach Alain, steering and coaching the crew through each set. His calls were sharp and motivating. From warm-up strokes to power sets, he made sure the boat stayed in sync.
Coach Alain also reminded us that even if the distance is shorter, the quality of strokes matters more. Strong, clean, and connected—that was the goal.
🛶 The crew on board
Here’s who made it to the lineup this evening:
- Tonette holding steady in the front with her clean strokes.
- JJ backing her up on the opposite side.
- Reagan and Radhi pulling hard at the mid seats.
- Mahmoud pushing with strength near the back.
- And a big welcome back to Gin—a familiar Falcon who returned to the water and picked up right where she left off.
Every paddler gave their best. Even with a few empty seats, the boat stayed strong. That’s the Falcon way—if you’re in, you give 100%.
🌙 Short but strong
At first glance, 42 minutes might not sound like much compared to some of our longer training runs. But this session was all about focus. Instead of chasing distance, the crew drilled into technique, timing, and bursts of power.
It was intense. Muscles burned. Breathing got heavy. But by the end, everyone felt accomplished. The kind of workout that makes you stronger for the next race.
💚 Falcons Green spirit
Of course, we were all in our Falcons Green jerseys—our badge of pride. They may just be shirts, but they make us feel connected. A reminder that no matter how tough training gets, we’re part of something bigger.
And on the creek that night, the green stood out beautifully against the evening water.
👋 Welcome back, Gin!
One of the highlights of this training was seeing Gin return to the boat. It’s always exciting when an experienced paddler rejoins the crew. Gin’s strokes were steady, her rhythm locked in, and her energy lifted the whole team.
Moments like this show that once a Falcon, always a Falcon. The bond stays, and the door is always open for paddlers to come back anytime.
📈 Building block for the season
Every session matters. Whether it’s a 6 km long haul or a focused 3.5 km sprint like this one, the Falcons are laying down bricks for the 2025/2026 season. Step by step, stroke by stroke, the boat is getting faster and tighter.
Coach Alain summed it up best: “Consistency beats intensity. Show up, put in the work, and the results will come.”
And that’s exactly what we’re doing.
🚀 Thinking of joining us?
If you’ve been watching us from the shore or reading these updates, this is your sign. Come paddle with us! You don’t need to be an athlete. You don’t even need experience. All you need is the willingness to learn, a bit of energy, and a love for the water.
The Desert Falcons are always ready to welcome new paddlers—and welcome back old ones too.
📸 Related Falcon Stories
- Desert Falcons dragon boat practice: Sunset Strokes at Deira Creek (Aug 10, 2025)
- 💦 Sunday Paddle Vibes with Desert Falcons 🌙
The season is still young, and the Falcons are just getting warmed up. More trainings, more memories, and more victories are waiting ahead. Until then—keep paddling strong! 🛶💪
