Dragon Boat

From Teampedia
Jump to: navigation, search

A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft traditional in Asia. The now internationally popular amateur competitive sport of dragon boat racing has its roots in an ancient Chinese folk ritual.

The exciting activity requires high energy yet can be enjoyed by people of diverse ages, abilities, and fitness levels. (A festival in Portland, Oregon, includes a full crew of people who are blind.) A typical crew has 20 paddlers, a steersperson (cox) and a drummer. Several companies provide the equipment, training, and coaching for any group to become a dragon boat team.

Teamwork is essential, because as one company says "synchronicity is more important than strength. A perfectly synchronized team will almost always beat a stronger, but less coordinated team."

Corporations find that the experiences of dealing with the fast pace and challenges of adapting to external environments help build on-job skills of camaraderie and personal accountability and achievement.

Facilitators can customize a team experience that is an extended part an overall company event, an entry in an organized dragon boat festival, or simply as a two-hour workshop.

The following are among companies that offer Dragon Boat team building experiences.

Dragonheart Vermont

Looking for a unique corporate team-building experience? Dragonheart Vermont has just the activity for you and your co-workers. It’s a sport that we are passionate about and we know that your experience will score with your co-workers. Dragon boating is paddle sport that brings new meaning to the word TEAMWORK. Imagine placing 20 people in a dragon boat. It can be a mix of men or women, young or old, fit or not so fit. Getting the boat to move is relatively easy as most people can stroke a paddle in the water. The light bulb moment comes when these 20 people realize that the boat will only glide if all 20 paddlers stroke in sync. It’s all about collaboration, timing, effort, and putting team before self. Aren’t these the same qualities you try to build in your co-workers at your workplace? Treat your employees to a half-day or full day team- building session that builds camaraderie, cohesiveness, and pride. Schedule this experience to meld new companies or departments. Offer a dragon boat session to your clients to build relationships. Make it part of your conference to have the most talked about activity you’ll ever offer. Dragonheart Vermont will soon be offering: A two-session event with both land and water training. + Minimum of 16 people and a maximum of 80 people. We can arrange for a meal at a local waterfront restaurant or lake cruise, if desired. A full day experience that includes a morning and afternoon paddling experience with a meal in between at a local waterfront restaurant or lake cruise. + Minimum of 16 people and a maximum of 80 people. For more information, contact Linda How to Register The DHVT Corporate Team Building Session registration will open at a future date. For now, please contact us to express an interest in having your company or organization take part in a Dragonheart team-building session. http://www.ridethedragon.org/festivals/corporate-team-building.aspx

Great White North (GWN) Dragon Boat

Relationship Building & Organizational Strength "Our crew has become very cohesive and team oriented. This is not a result of dragon boating, but as a consequence of being on a dragon boat team." - Dragon Boat Team Captain One of the reasons why dragon boat racing has grown so quickly is the growing number of corporate dragon boat teams. Trying to meet the demands of these teams, dozens of racing events develop each year bringing more opportunities for people to enjoy this exciting sport. These dragon boat teams provide an opportunity for a diverse staff of hundreds to get to know each other through an accessible and spirited team oriented activity. Providing an equal platform for a CEO and a mail room clerk to work together, side by side, dragon boat racing is unique in its ability to bridge communication gaps by building strong, supportive relationships. For An Unforgettable Teambuilding Experience - Just Add Water Sometimes it is important for a group or team to just have fun and socialize. Dragon boat racing is the perfect activity to take your corporate social events to a new level by introducing a high energy activity that everyone can do - all ages, all fitness levels. It provides employees, conference attendees, meeting guests or incentive participants with the chance to learn about themselves, each other, and have fun doing it! Our qualified staff will provide all the dragon boat coaching, training and equipment your group needs for an exciting team experience. A typical program starts with an orientation and some dry land coaching, then into the boats for an on water session. Testing skills with a 250m time trial or racing against other teams from your organization, are both exhilarating activities that gives people a taste of why Dragon Boat Racing is the fastest growing water sport in the World. If you are an event planner looking for a novel and refreshing experience to offer your corporate clients, a GWN dragon boat corporate experience is your answer. If you are a group looking for a fun activity to add flavour to your meeting or event, try adding in an exciting dragon boat session. Guaranteed to be a unique, fun experience they will remember forever. If you are a manager looking for a new activity to foster communication and teamwork within your group, dragon boat racing is for you. Contact us today to find out how dragon boat racing can go to work for you! http://www.gwndragonboat.com/default.asp?id=33&l=1

Pan Am Dragon Boat

Dragon boating and the reality of corporate life today have a strong connection. They are both fast paced; they have to deal with changing external environments; and most of all, they both rely heavily on the 'ultimate team' in order to succeed. While the mechanics of dragon boating are easy to describe, the sensation of the experience is not. The evidence of its power and impact is clear. It has become the fastest growing water sport in the world. Being one of the most accessible sports, dragon boat racing can truly be enjoyed by everyone. There is a sense of camaraderie, unity, personal accountability and achievement that fosters the growth of a true team - in and out of the boat. As you begin to plan your team building event, we are pleased to present the Ultimate Dragon Boat Experience. This opportunity to achieve corporate initiatives through a participatory, inclusive activity will provide your group with an experience they can take back and apply to their day-to-day efforts within your organization. Your dragon boat team building program can be designed in a manner that best suits the goals, budget and format desired by your organization. The event can be hosted virtually anywhere, but our recommendations include Rocky Point in Tampa and Downtown Tampa. Events can incorporate as few as 20 paddlers or as many as 160 on the water at one time. It can be part of an overall gathering or event such as a daylong picnic or as short as a 2-hour workshop. Please contact us for more information or to get a quote on your Team Building Day! http://www.panamdragonboat.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=23



Can you help make this activity better? Do you know an alternate way to lead this activity? Click "edit" above and help improve this site for everyone!