Team members flex their muscles with personal trainer Eileen Proulx on the last day of our 2024 Fit to Thrive exercise class
Are you ready for this year’s dragon boat adventures? We are, and we’ve been working hard to make this our best year yet.
After all, it is our year. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, representing good luck, strength, and health.
What we’ve done so far
The book club is going strong under Paula’s steady leadership. We are also pleased to share that it has been renamed Susannah’s Book Club in loving memory of Susannah Plews.
We’ve remained strong during the offseason thanks to Caroline’s Pilates and Eileen’s Fit to Thrive classes, designed especially for us as dragon boaters.
Operations don’t stop in the winter months. Margaret and Peter are working tirelessly to get the boat lift installed. We received the final permits on February 27 and will start installation when allowed. We also purchased a third boat, which should arrive in June.
We are collaborating with community partners to expand our reach, particularly into underserved and at-risk communities. So far, we’ve talked with 100 Women Who Care, Bosom Buddies, Luminis Health Breast Center, Monarch Wellness, and Wellness House, and we have meetings lined up with other organizations in the coming month. Do you have suggestions for organizations that we should partner with? Please share them with us. We’re better together. #AnnapolisStrong
What’s ahead
All events have been added to Team Snap. Reserve your seat in the boat today.
Mar 26: Weather permitting, we are hitting the water on the first on-water practice in 2024.
April 8: We are holding a midday paddle to view the eclipse. We’ve purchased eclipse viewing glasses to protect our eyes.
Apr 12-14: We are excited to return Pat and Liz Bradley for a 1 ½ day training boot camp. We’ll enjoy a team dinner at the Cape St. Clair Club House on Friday evening before the camp.
Apr 27, May 25, Jun 29, Jul 27, Aug 24, and Sep 28: Arlene, Debi, Jackie, and Janis are rocking and rolling on organizing a great series of soft paddles on the 4th Saturday of each month. Please join us to share the goodness of our club with others. We had 50 guest paddlers last year. Let’s try and double that number in 2024!
May 4: Joni and Kate are leading the way to make this year’s Opening of the Eyes ceremony the biggest and best yet. Jamie Costello, WMAR-TV news anchor, will be the emcee. We’ve also invited Mayor Buckley and Senator Elfreth to provide remarks. A pink carnation ceremony will honor those we’ve lost.
Oct 12 (Oct 13 rain date): Carmela, Erin, and Lisa are off and running to plan Dragonfest. We’re recruiting sponsors now. Sponsorships are available from $500 to $5,000.
Other exciting news
We are adding a relaxed Wednesday evening paddle to bring the ease and joy of the Wednesday morning paddle to those who can’t make it during the workday. We’ll continue the Wednesday morning paddles and likely hold the first Wednesday paddles in the second half of April.
We are expanding warmups at practices. Peter will introduce new elements to our warmups, building on what we learn at the Bradley’s boot camp.
We are updating the practice schedule. We’re working hard behind the scenes to allow paddlers to choose between open and race practices on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. One boat will be an open boat, and the other will be a race boat.
Open practices are intended for those who prefer a more relaxed paddle — building strength and endurance without too much stress on the body. Allison and Joni will coach the open practice sessions.
Race practices are intended for those who want a good workout and challenge. These practices will help you gear up to participate in a race, but don’t commit you to racing. Peter and Barb will coach the race practice sessions.
We’re working to recruit more members. Last year, Bill, Dave, Lee, Luke, Jessie, Randy, Randy, and Ricardo were inaugural members of our mixed racing team. Based on the success of having these supporters join us, we are launching a recruiting effort focused on increasing participation by family and friends of breast cancer members. Supporting each other — on and off the water — is vital to our mission.
Invite your friends and family who are eager to try dragon boating to the first practice on March 26 …. If they like it and want to race, they’ll be ready to participate in the DC race on May 18.
Paddles up!
Barb Witten, Chair
Peter Van de Castle, Head Coach
