Why We Do Time Trials
Individual progress can be difficult to track in dragon boat with the whole crew. Time trials give you an opportunity to assess your development, and doing them regularly can help identify trends despite varying conditions (e.g., weather).
Schedule & Logistics
- Optional for all members, but limited to 6 paddlers per session. RSVP for one of the remaining dates if interested:
- Scheduled for April/May and Sept/Oct each year at Lake Meridian, which provides calmer conditions (and is close to where the OC is stored)
- Please consider weekday sessions if possible to help keep Saturday spots available for those with less flexible schedules
Day of Time Trial
Arrival: Please be at the lake by 7:00am to help unload and rig the canoe. The parking lot on 152nd Way SE should be open, and restrooms typically open around 7:30 am.
What to bring: PFD, dragon boat paddle, towel, change of clothes
The process:
- First arrivals will go first
- Start with a thorough land warm-up - it's important for the intense effort ahead
- Loading/unloading happens at the beach area - you'll wade in knee-deep water so footwear is optional
- Paddle 300m (comparable effort to 500m dragon boat races)
- Each paddler does one side, then we rotate through the group for the other side. It doesn't matter which side you do first
Plan to help as follows:
- Hold the canoe during loading/unloading and provide push-off assistance
- Check rudder for weeds between runs
- Record times on the results sheet
About the Outrigger Canoes (OC2)
- Best available option for individual time trials although ergonomics differ from a dragon boat
- It's a two-person canoe with a stabilizer, an ama, on the left side
- The ama will be weighted during the time trial for added stability
- Although more prone to flipping than dragon boats, we've only had 3 flips in all our sessions
- Lesley steers from back, so you can focus entirely on paddling
