Gear doesn’t make the
paddler, but it can sure help!
Dragon
boat paddlers need to leverage every resource available to deliver their best
performances! This ongoing series will examine the technology and gear that
DieselFish Dragon Boat Team uses to stay fit, fast and occasionally
fashionable.
Alex, the Minister of Newbie Happiness, has
paddled with DieselFish for seven years and blogged about dragon boat racing
for almost as long. He keeps coming back year after year for “the people.” In
this installment, he will stop writing in the third person perspective and talk
about his favorite pieces of paddling equipment, which include an arsenal of
paddles and several articles of technical sportswear.
[1] Paddles: (L-R)
● ZRE Carbon fiber: Too $hort
● Grey Owl Wood: Too heavy
● Burnwater Carbon Fiber: Ahh, just right. (I
swear, the pink sticker wasn’t my idea. This paddle is a loaner.)
[4] Stohlquist Barnacle Half-Finger Paddling Gloves: I used to think it
was manly to have rough hands that were scorched by the sun, battered by the
wind and drowned by the sea. I changed my mind after all the blisters and
calluses I had accumulated started to affect my paddling. These gloves protect
my hands from the elements and provide some extra grip.
[5] Adidas Supernova Running Jacket: Water resistant,
yet breathable.
[7] Skwoosh Dragon Boat Pad: Paddling helped me lose some of the junk in my trunk,
so now I need some padding down there.
[8] New Balance SM820 Water Shoes: I like wearing water shoes because they provide better
protection and grip than sandals. (I’ve slipped inside the boat.) This
particular model is loaded with technical features including drainage ports and mesh
windows that help the shoes dry out quickly and prevent swamp foot. They
slightly pinch my heels.
[9] Nike ACG Cordilleras Water Shorts: I bought four
pairs of these shorts that are sadly no longer in production. They were
designed for paddling, so they offer useful technical features including
quick drying fabric, non-slip textures, cargo pockets and an internal lanyard
for my keys.
[10] DieselFish Jersey: The DieselFish Electric Green on the sleeves
stimulates the senses and also allows our supporters to spot us from the shore
during races.
