It was an early and chilly morning for the Desert Falcons as we gathered at Deira Creek in our signature blue jerseys. On November 9, the team showed up bright and early, ready to paddle hard and push our limits. With just a few weeks left before the big race, every training counts.
Two Boats, Double the Fun! 🚣♀️
We split into two boats for the morning session. Coach Elmer led Boat 1, while Coach Alain took charge of Boat 2. At 5:30 AM, we warmed up, and by 5:40 AM, everyone was loading into the boats. We hit the water by 5:45 AM, ready for action.
Boat 1 Lineup:
- Bow Side (Left): Ferdz, Khaled, Glen, Radhi, Dennis, Dzaki, Neil
- Stroke Side (Right): Lambert, Chris C., Ricky, Manny, IS, Nheil, Richard
With strong strokes and powerful paddlers, Boat 1 pushed through the water with determination. The boat moved smoothly, cutting through the calm creek.
Boat 2 Lineup:
- Bow Side (Left): Intan, Gob, Len, Anne, Loren
- Stroke Side (Right): Evie, Janine J, Jobai, Yti, Ruby
Boat 2 focused on maintaining rhythm and speed, guided by Coach Alain’s expert steering. It was incredible to see both boats gliding in sync, pushing each other to go faster.
Making a Pit Stop at Dubai Festival City 🌆
During the session, we made a quick stop at Dubai Festival City for a few activities. First, we took a moment to clean the boat and scrape off barnacles. It’s important to keep our boat in top shape to ensure we’re racing at maximum speed. After that, we moved on to the individual speed test. Each paddler had a chance to show their power, paddling hard and fast to see who could get the best time.
Land Activities and Team Bonding 🤝
After the speed test, we gathered for some quick land activities. The team did a series of stretches, squats, and core exercises to build strength and prevent injuries. It wasn’t just about the workout; it was a chance for everyone to bond, laugh, and cheer each other on.
Wrapping Up the Session 🚀
We covered an impressive 5,610 meters in total. The moving time was 1 hour and 11 minutes, with the entire training wrapping up by 7:25 AM. It was a great session, filled with hard work, laughter, and progress. We’re getting stronger every day, and it shows in our paddling.
With the big race approaching, the Desert Falcons are giving it everything we’ve got. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey. Want to learn how we prepare for race day? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Dragon Boat Training for tips and insights!
See you all at the next session, and remember—keep paddling strong, Falcons! 🦅💪
great… keep it up