After a prolonged suspension of water activities due to regional safety concerns, the Desert Falcons finally returned to Deira Creek on Sunday morning, 3 May 2026.
It was not a large gathering, nor was it intended to be an intense race-preparation session. Instead, this training marked something equally important the team’s first step back onto the water, reconnecting with the boat, rebuilding confidence and rediscovering the rhythm that brings every paddler together.
An Early Start at Deira Creek
The team assembled at QD’s, Deira Creek, with a call time of 6:45 AM. Loading began shortly afterwards at 6:50 AM, allowing the boat to be prepared for a scheduled 7:00 AM start.
Wearing the familiar Falcons Green jersey, the paddlers returned to one of the team’s regular training grounds.
Captain Intan, or IM, took responsibility as steerer for the session, guiding the boat through Deira Creek and overseeing the team’s safe return to training.
The Crew
The morning crew consisted of:
- Mc
- JJ
- Zeus
- IS
- Radhi
- Farhan
- IM as steerer
Despite the smaller turnout, the session provided a valuable opportunity for each paddler to receive more focused attention and regain familiarity with the fundamentals of paddling as one unit.
The paddling arrangement placed Mc and JJ near the front of the boat, while Zeus, IS, Radhi and Farhan occupied the remaining active seats.
Mc helped establish the pace for the crew, giving the boat a consistent reference point as the paddlers worked on synchronisation and timing.
Returning to the Fundamentals
After a long absence from regular water training, the priority was not speed.
The session focused on rebuilding the basics:
- reconnecting with the timing of the boat;
- maintaining a controlled and sustainable pace;
- restoring coordination between the left and right rows;
- becoming comfortable again with commands from the steerer; and
- rebuilding confidence on the water.
For a dragon boat crew, rhythm is not created by one strong paddler. It emerges when every person enters the water, applies power and recovers together.
This morning session allowed the Falcons to begin restoring that shared connection.
There were naturally moments when timing needed adjustment, particularly after the team’s extended break. However, with every sequence, the paddlers gradually became more comfortable and the movement of the boat started to feel familiar again.
Developing the Next Steerer
An additional objective of the session was to introduce Zeus to the role of steerer.
Steering a dragon boat involves much more than controlling its direction. A steerer must understand the movement of the boat, anticipate changing water conditions, communicate clearly with the crew and maintain overall situational awareness.
Under IM’s guidance, Zeus was given an opportunity to begin learning these responsibilities.
Training additional steerers is an important part of strengthening the team. It provides greater operational flexibility while developing leadership, communication and decision-making skills among the paddlers.
This session represented an early step in Zeus’s development, with further practical exposure expected during future training sessions.
Recording the Return
Several members recorded the session through Strava, providing individual activity data that can be used to monitor progress as regular training gradually resumes.
Training records were captured by IS, JJ, Zeus and IM.
These records will help the team compare future sessions, including improvements in distance, duration, pace and overall consistency.
However, the most important achievement of the morning could not be measured through distance or speed.
The Desert Falcons were back on the water.
If you enjoyed this training recap, you may also like:
- 🐉 About Desert Falcons – Discover our team, our values and how to join us.
- 🚣 Dragon Boating: A Journey on Water – Learn more about the sport and why teamwork is at the heart of every stroke.
One Stroke at a Time
The 3 May session was a modest but meaningful return.
There was no pressure to immediately regain previous performance levels. Instead, the team approached the morning with patience, discipline and a willingness to start again.
Every team experiences interruptions. What defines the team is how its members return.
For the Desert Falcons, the journey back began at Deira Creek with a small crew, a familiar green jersey and the shared determination to rebuild one stroke at a time.
The rhythm may take time to fully return, but the first stroke has already been taken.
The first session back was never about speed.
It was about reconnecting with the boat, with one another, and with the passion that has always defined the Desert Falcons.
Every championship journey begins with a single stroke.
On 3 May 2026, that first stroke was made.
The Falcons are back on the water.
