DUBAI: Tired of the same old exercise regimen? Think water - and no, we're not talking about swimming or aqua aerobics. If you're up to it, you can now paddle your way to fitness right here in the shimmering blue of the Dubai Marina.
Thanks to an initiative by the CNCF (Christina Noble Children's Foundation) Barracuda Paddlers, a team of working professionals and busy mums in search of fitness and fun, a growing number of women are signing up for newbie paddling classes, hoping they can make the most of the rigour it entails.
Addressing a group of seven women attending a training session on a Wednesday morning, instructor Nicki Berry - who along with Margie Kaiser runs the CNCF Barracuda Paddlers - says, "Technique is all important. But safety first. We begin with the numbering."
"One, two, three, four .." the counting is done in right earnest as the seven women, along with Berry and Andy Hill, the coxswain - or woman in charge of the boat - make up a nine-member dragon boat team.
"Should we ever capsize, which is unlikely, just roll yourself out into a foetal position, stay with the boat and we'll number off. The back lady Andy is responsible for the sweep," continues Berry.
Her students are all ears. For most of them, it's their first time round. "We're beginners," say Alison Ireland and Fiona Kerley.
"Unlike the gym, this is such a competitive sport and I'd like to think I will be here three times a week," said Kerley.
Jilly Davy has no pretensions when she says, "I am here because of the pressure of my friends. But I did a trial round earlier and just loved it."
The element of fun apart, the technique behind paddling makes for a great workout. As Berry explains, it builds endurance, muscle, balance and coordination. "It works on your core strength and uses a lot of it as well. It's great for the cardio and overall body strength."
In fact, professional paddlers work out to a specific set of stretching and hamstring exercises, besides workouts for the abdomen, legs, arms and shoulders. "The more regularly they do it, the fitter they become," adds Berry.
According to Hill, "Paddling is very addictive." She says it is a team sport and very rewarding. "You have a wonderful buzz and sense of achievement when you get off the boat."
The women meet at the Dubai Marina Yacht Club twice or thrice a week - Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Paddling from the West Marina where the dhows are docked, the training sessions begin early in the morning.
Each of the paddling strokes from catch and compression to exit and recovery has a precise technique that needs to be learnt.
"Common back paddle, hit, hit, hit, hit …" instructs Berry as the dragon boat proceeds into the water. After they've done one round, the four pairs of women switch sides. They're all charged for round two. "The newbie sessions began on January 16. Each session costs Dh50," says Berry, adding that the money collected goes to the Christina Noble Children's Foundation charity.
The women are clearly having fun. Any fitness benefits that come along the way are a bonus. "What better way to mark the Chinese New Year than paddling on a dragon boat?" says one of them.
