Penang Island Paddlerz Club opens door to dragon boating

Calling all landlubbers! The Penang Island Paddlerz Club (PIPC) hosted a successful open day last Sunday, March 10th, 2024, at the Tanjong Tokong Tua Pek Kong seafront.

The event aimed to introduce the public to the exciting sport of dragon boating and broaden their membership base, with a particular focus on attracting more women paddlers.

Promoting the sport and building a team

Aaron Lim, PIPC’s president, highlighted the club’s current membership of 60 active paddlers, boasting a healthy mix of women and men ranging from 18 to 64 years old.

The open day attracted 56 enthusiastic participants, with 19 being women. Lim expressed his hope that these individuals will discover their passion for dragon boating and decide to join the PIPC family.

PIPC offers participants the opportunity to paddle one of their three dragon boats: two competition-grade fiberglass vessels and an older mixed fiberglass and wood boat.

Each dragon boat team consists of up to 20 paddlers, a steerer who controls the boat’s direction, and a drummer who serves as the leader, setting the pace and coordinating rowing strategies through strategic drum beats.

Penang Island Paddlerz Club and competition

“Team unity is paramount, both on and off the water,” emphasized Lim. “We actively encourage social activities to cultivate camaraderie and a strong sense of cohesion among our members.”

PIPC prioritizes strategic training to prepare for competitions. Before each race, the team leader carefully considers factors like race distance, water conditions, and competitor tactics to devise a winning strategy.

These strategies are communicated to paddlers through various drum beats that not only guide rowing techniques but also act as a motivational force, propelling them towards the finish line.

The club maintains a rigorous training schedule, practicing sea rowing every Sunday morning (7:30 AM to 10:30 AM) and Thursday evenings (7:30 PM to 9:00 PM).

Additional training sessions are incorporated closer to race dates. PIPC typically participates in two international races and four local races annually.

The club considers the Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta, held annually in November, to be their pinnacle event. This year’s regatta, the 45th edition, will be held from November 23rd to 24th at the Teluk Bahang Dam.

The open day served as an inspiration for future paddlers. Joseph Chow, a former team manager, brought his 12-year-old son, Ian, to experience the thrill of dragon boating. “While he’s still a bit young to join officially,” Chow remarked,

“I hope this experience ignites a passion for the sport that he can pursue in the future.”

Veteran member Annie Lim, 64, a former women’s team captain, actively participated in the open day, mentoring and advising young women who expressed interest in the sport.

“I share my knowledge of rowing techniques and essential fitness tips to help them maintain the strength and stamina required for dragon boating,” she explained.

The PIPC welcomes individuals interested in joining their dynamic team. Those curious about dragon boating are encouraged to try rowing a few times before committing to membership.

Contact Aaron Lim (012-4868996) or Kath (016-4861123) for more information and to embark on your dragon boating journey.