Sydney Dragon Sports Association Dragon Boat Club

While paddling there is a good chance you'll get wet, its that simple. Armed with some common sense, what you need to bear in mind is the following;

Warm Clothing:
Wear clothing that you don't mind getting wet, it can get cold and/or windy on some evenings particularly during the winter off-season, thermals are a good choice, another option are 'rashees' vests/shirts, these can vary between short sleeves & shorts to long sleeves & legs. They are designed to keep the body warm, by trapping a thin layer of water that you body can easily heat up. Not to mention reducing the chill factor directly on your skin. Padded seat pants / shorts are also useful when sitting in the boat for long periods.

Footwear:
Don't wear expensive shoes/sneakers which could get damaged by the water. There is a good chance when getting in or out of the boat your feet will be submerged. You need footwear to protect your feet from sharp objects around the shoreline. Old sneakers or surf booties, which also have a little bit of grip. The latter can be bought from various retail outlets, just ask one of the experienced paddlers/members on the night for any recommendations. Surf booties are suited for water sports and give the feet a bit more warmth and protection on those cooler days or night time training sessions.

Towel:
Bring a towel! again there is a high chance you'll get splashed/wet, to help dry yourself off afterwards. The towel is also a great source for warmth in the winter. In summer, you may dry off by the time you get back to the car (after bringing the boats out of the water and warming down) in which case the towel is useful for not getting you car seat wet.

Water:
It's important to Hydrate, I can't stress this enough. Sure this is a water sport, but you need to keep fluids up, even on the colder evening sessions. An important factor is if you are thirsty then its too late, regular water intake before, during & after the session. Water is essential to assist in recovering from any session, to reduce dehydration and possibly the chance of cramps.

Hat, Sunscreen & Glasses:
" ......Slip, Slop, Slap......"
How many times have we heard those words during the summer season. So you won't need me to explain further.