FAQ

As long as you are a current UC Irvine student, you are eligible to try out for the team. Tryouts are usually held at the beginning of fall quarter. Details can be found on this website.

Absolutely not! Some of our best paddlers joined with no experience in lifting, let alone paddling. We believe that technique, strength, and skill can be developed with time. Even though dragon boat is a very physically intensive sport, we will train you to gain endurance and get in shape. We will teach you all the basics and everything else you need to know about weight training. In addition to training for races, we train for overall fitness and strength.

Yes. Tryouts are usually within the first 2 weeks after school starts. They allow us to gauge your ability to push yourself and stay motivated while motivating others. Check the website.

Absolutely! Many of our paddlers joined the team in their second or third trials.

We look for team players who are willing to commit themselves to personal and team growth. It takes time to hone paddling techniques, and maintaining our paddlers’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being is crucial to the team’s success.

There are two mandatory water practices on Saturdays and Sundays; each water practice lasts for 1.5-2 hours. During weekdays, we expect all paddlers to attend conditioning on Mondays alongside two workout sessions in the gym.

We participate in one to two races every quarter. In the summer, there are more racing opportunities, both nationally and internationally. Paddlers must meet training requirements in order to race.

We practice on the water at Mother’s Beach in Long Beach. Rides to the practice sites will by car and are organized before each practice we have that weekend.

We will supply paddles and PFDs (life jackets) for you at our water practices. You are not required to know how to swim.