Space Dragons 2015 Red/Blue/White Selection Criteria

Below is the 2015 Red/Blue/White Selection Criteria.  It's very similar to years past, but please review it and don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions!

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How do the coaches determine who paddles on which boat? It's no black magic. The coaches make the decisions balancing what we believe is best for each individual as well as what we believe is best for Space Dragons as a whole.  The tricky part is that not everyone agrees on where that balance lies and what is "best for Space Dragons," not even all the coaches.  It is impossible to make everyone happy, but with seven coaches bringing different perspectives, we hope to get as close as possible.  The following set of criteria is used in the decision making process:

1. Practice Attendance - Quantity and Quality

Coming to practice makes you a better paddler. Only at practice do you get the opportunity to sit in a dragon boat and get coaching on your technique.  You work on starts, finishes, pacing, timing, blending, paddling-specific conditioning. How do you become a more effective paddler? Paddle more! BUT, just showing up isn't enough. In order to become a better paddler, you need to take advantage of the time on the boat by staying focused and determined, and by seeing every single stroke as an opportunity to make our team better.

2. OC-2 Water Testing and ERG Testing

The OC-2 time trials are the easiest way for both you and the coaches to measure your individual contribution in getting the dragon boat past the finish line. Even in a dragon boat race, each paddler pulls some dead weight (the weight of the boat, plus the caller and steersperson). Similarly, in an OC-2 each paddler pulls the boat weight plus a coach who is steering. Water testing isn't everything - it doesn't show how well your technique blends with the rest of the paddlers, and it doesn't show how good your timing is, both of which are essential to being a good dragon boat paddler. What it does show is your fitness level, strength and how effectively you connect with the water to propel a boat forward.  How do we use this data?  Refer to the FAQ.  If you cannot make it to either the primary or make-up test dates with an excuse cleared with the coaches, your previous test time from the same season can be used.  People tend to get faster as the season goes on, so it's in your best interest to test before every tournament.  OC-2 testing is required to be considered for Red and strongly encouraged for Open.

Because the conditions (tide, winds) at the OC-2 test location can affect results from day to day, this year an ERG test will supplement the OC-2 test.  This is a new tool and is only intended to supplement the water test to help provide more consistent data.  The water test is still the main quantitative component in measuring your ability to connect with the water.

3. Land Drill / Core Workout Attendance - Quantity and Quality
Dragon boat races are athletic competitions, so physical fitness and strength play an important role in how quickly we cross the finish line. Participating in the land drills and core workouts designed by Rod "Say No to Violence" Muramoto helps build that foundation. Again, just showing up isn't enough. You need to push yourself in order to make yourself (and the team) stronger.  The work you put in here will be visible in the quality of your practices (stay stronger for longer) as well as your OC-2 time trial.

4. Coaches Discretion

There are many unquantifiable qualities that make a good dragon boat paddler, things like timing, experience, technique, focus and a team-oriented, positive attitude. These are some of the things that the coaches watch out for when we stand at the bow during practice. A boat of the twenty "strongest" paddlers is not our fastest crew if they can't work together and motivate each other.  If any one of these traits is missing, that can be a deal breaker!  So be sure to pay attention to these unquantifiable details when working toward being a better paddler.

As always, if you have any questions about the selection criteria, any of the decisions that are made, or what you personally can do to make yourself a better paddler, don't hesitate to ask! We want each and every one of you to finish off this season with NO REGRETS!

Winter Paddling Fashion

Winter is finally upon us, and if El Nino comes through, we can expect many more wet practices in the coming months.  Heck, even if it's just a "normal" winter, it's been a long time since we really needed to worry about winter/rain paddling fashion since we've been blessed (actually cursed) with the warm drought weather the past few years.  Well, it's time to pull out those parkas, rain pants and boots!

But first, let me say how AWESOME it is that we had such a great turnout this weekend despite the crappy weather!  That's called DEDICATION and DETERMINATION.  Or I guess you could just call it Crazy.  But whatever it is, it is one of my favorite things about this team!

But really... paddling in the cold and rain isn't that bad IF you're prepared.  There's also the benefit of building mental toughness in addition to physical strength/conditioning, which can easily be the difference between earning a gold medal or going home empty handed.  [Flashback to Tempe 2012 mixed finals in gale-force winds... we all credit that victory to the stormy practices we suffered through earlier in the season.]

So how can you make winter paddling a more pleasant experience?  PREPARATION!  

Many of people sport parkas when they are not on the water.  They provide protection from the rain and wind, and they also make fantastic changing rooms for peeling off wet clothes after practice.  No parka?  That's OK too, but do bring a jacket that is rain-proof and wind-proof to shield you from the cold.  Some folks also wear rain boots on the water to keep their feet warm.  Hats, beanies and gloves also make a big difference, and it is highly recommended to stay away from cotton on the really cold and wet days.

It is essential to bring a towel and dry clothes to change into immediately after getting off the water.  A full change of clothing is the best (including your knickers!), but a dry shirt and dry pants are the bare minimum to stay comfortable.

Hopefully these tips will help you stay comfortable through the wet and cold season.  Don't let a few drops of water (or hail) prevent you from reaching your goals.  We all get splashed during practice anyway, so think of the rain as an early cleansing rinse!  Besides, the "adventures" on the water make for fantastic memories.... (remember that time we sprinted from one bridge to the next to find shelter?).

Still afraid?  In the words of former Coach Brian Kellough...

Happy New Year 2015!!

Happy New Year, Space Dragons!

[Space Dragons East]

While you're thinking about those 2015 Resolutions, might I suggest one: "Live an active and healthy lifestyle." What a coincidence, paddling regularly will help you do that!

And for you competitive types that want to kick some ass, I'll be more direct: "Get fit/strong and come to PRACTICE."

Today officially starts the 2015 Season, which means there is Land/Core on Saturday and Special Boat on Sunday. No more parking in the metered lot - park in the Boy Scout lot so we can move efficiently and get you out in time to FEAST!

And the 15 min tardy rule is in effect, so get there on time or else it's 50 push-ups! We don't do this to be mean - we just want to squeeze every minute out of the valuable water time. And maybe a little bit to be mean.