Table of Contents
- I have no sports background, am I qualified to join the team?
- I don't like weights, is it compulsory to train with weights?
- I am worried, because I couldn't run well and I don't want to get big, bulky muscles.
- I'm a lady, won't training with weights make me big and give me ugly muscles?
- Can I skip training?
- What type of races does the team go for?
- Where can I learn dragonboating?
I have no sports background, am I qualified to join the team ?
Yes definitely! Your interest is most important. There is no special requirements to join the team. No experience is required. In fact, we don't hold selections. As long as you are a student of NUS you are most welcome to join the team. We want to give everyone a chance to experience the sense of teamwork and achievement in paddling dragonboats. In addition we hope to see more NUS students, especially ladies, taking up this as one of their favorite sport.
In the past, we have paddlers who claim they are too big or too small to join a sports team. Some fear that since they have no sports background they would not be able to endure the training. Please note that there is really no need to fear anything and your size is really not an important element. To conquer all these obstacles, all it takes is your determination and perserverance. The training might not be as 'harsh' as you think because your captain will see to that every rower could cope with the training and at the same time make improvements. They will give you all the guidance and support that you need. Basically we want you to have fun and enjoy yourself during your stay with the team so you can be sure you won't have to undergo any 'torturous' training.
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I don't like weights, is it compulsory to train with weights?
Weights training is a vital part of the training program. You see, weights training builds up your strength and power so that you can compete effectively during races and competitions and paddler faster than your opponents. If a team possesses stronger rowers, it has a higher chance to come out as a winner.
We don't force our team members to do anything that they don't like, but paddlers have to understand that dragonboating is a physically challenging sports and weights training could help them cope with the demands of races and improve their paddling performance. More importantly, if you are well prepared and has been training with weights, during races you would have nothing to fear. You would have more confidence and you know you are able to compete in the races successfully and contribute to the whole team.
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I am worried, because I couldn't run well and I don't want to get big, bulky muscles.
The team's training is designed to cater to the rowers' need as well as to cope with
the demands of races. Please take note we don't train you to become a superb sprinter or
long distance runner at the track and field. And neither do we train you to become a
professional bodybuilder or weight lifter. 
Remember,
you are training for dragonboating. But it is not an easy sport because it is both a
physically and mentally demanding sport. We do not wish that any paddlers find the
training 'hurting' them badly. At the same time we cannot discard or cut down the
running/jogging session or weights training program because if we give you too light a
training it will do you no good. The training program is designed to prepare you for the
coming race/s. So it does take some effort and hard work on your part. It is just like
going for an exam, you have to put in time and effort in order to do well. If you want to
attain good results then you have to get yourself prepared for it by coming for your
training regularly. Running could build up your cardio-vascular and stamina, and weights
training could build up your strength and power. Thus our training program combines the
best of both world --- running and weights. But we don't go to the extremes. Who knows,
you might get a well-honed body as a result! ;>
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I'm a lady, won't training with weights make me big and give me ugly muscles?
If you have this question in mind, then you are not alone. A number of ladies are scared that weights training could 'damage' their image. In fact, many people have the wrong conception that if girls train with weights, they will get big muscles like men!
Now listen to this : you won't be able to get big muscles easily, however much you would like to! One reason is you don't take any steriods or 'medicine' that are meant to add mass to your muscles ... unless you yourself want to (then nobody can stop you) ! Another reason is men can get those big muscles far more easily than ladies because that is the way they are born. They got those 'hormones' (whatever you call it) in them but ladies don't.
We ever had a case whereby one lady wanted to make use of the team's weights training program to build up her muscles because she aspired to become a bodybuilder. But she was unsuccessful because it is not easy. It is really not that easy to get those muscles that you see on men, even if you desire it. So ladies, there is really nothing to worry about. Weights training only give you the strength and power and really tone you up. You might gain a bit of mass, and you might see the shape coming out, but it is definitely not those type of muscles that you see on men.
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Can I skip training?
Yes and No. We understand that sometimes students have to cope with their heavy
schoolwork, assignments and tests. So if you have a test (or an assignments due) the next
day after training and you know for sure you would not be able to cope with it, then you
could always give your captain or vice-captain and team-mates a call and let them know. And of
course, you can skip a training session if you have some important or urgent matters to
attend to or if you are not feeling well. It is a form of courtesy to inform the team if
you are not coming for training so that you won't make everyone waste precious time
waiting for you alone. We only ask that you be more considerate. 
Other than the reasons above, we don't encourage rowers to skip training
because dragonboating is a team sport, not a solo performance on your part. You as a
member of the team is just as important to the team like everyone else in the team. Thus
you are not only responsible for yourself, but also for the whole team. And for instance,
if you know you have a lot of catching up to do in terms of your fitness or stamina level
or if you are lacking in strength and power, you should understand that skipping training
unnecessary is to your disadvantage and nobody else.
We are sure if you plan your time well, you should be able to cope with the demands of your academic studies and your sport/s.
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What types of races does the team go for?
The type of races we go for are the Men's Open championship, Men's IVP (Inter-Varsity Polytechnic) championship, Ladies' Open championship, Ladies IVP championship, as well as the Mixed open championship.
In Singapore all ladies events make use of the 10-men 'baby dragonboat'. And the men's team usually race in the 20-men full-sized dragonboat.
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Where can I learn dragonboating?
You can learn dragonboat outside of NUS. For example the Kallang Sea Sports Club and PA Adventure Club offer courses. Some communities in Singapore also offer dragonboating classes. The NUS team train at the Kallang Sea Sports Centre.
Useful Addresses :
Singapore Dragon Boat Association, Kallang Sea Sports Centre, No 10, Stadium Lane, Kallang. Singapore 1439. Tel/Fax : 4409763
Kallang Sea Sports Club, 4876 Beach Road (at Crawford Park), Singapore 199587 Tel : 2966683, Fax : 2944393.
People's Association Adventure Club, 285 Nicol Drive (at Changi Point), Singapore 498988. Tel : 5451140, Fax : 5458897
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