For those of you on our email list, you've received periodic updates about club activities.  But if you are new to checking out our site and are interested in our club, here's the latest.  We aren't practicing until further notice.  We continue to watch CDC and Washington Department of Health recommendations for safely returning to dragon boat practices.  We'll update this site when practices resume.

We appreciate those who have joined our club for the first time or renewed their memberships despite not being able to congregate on the water in our dragon boats.  Our club continues to pay our bills and keep everything "at the ready" when the decision is made to resume operations.

Thank you all for your support!
​Paddles up!!

Thursday - June 1830-minute paddler-specific exercises with Laura

• Date and Time: June 18, 7-7:30pm
• Leader: Laura Bogh, physical therapist and dragon boater :-)
• Zoom Meeting: check your email
• Description: This workout is designed to get you out of our usual movement patterns and into new ways of moving.  It will include a warm up, general strengthening, the fun challenging part, and a cool down.
• Props needed:
  • Standard chair (no wheels or swivel)
  • Non-stretchy strap at least 2 feet long (e.g. belt, luggage strap, dog leash, rope, small towel)
  • Towel to kneel on or to roll up for some exercises
  • Paddle or some other stiff item like a broom handle

Saturday - June 20Yoga Flow Practice with Kira (Live from Berlin, Germany!)
+ Social Hour

• Date and Time: June 20, 9-10am exercises, 10-11am social hour
• Leader: Kira Bohm, dragon boater and yoga aficionado
• Zoom Meeting: check your email
• Description: We'll be doing a yoga flow practice that will start out slow and slowly build up to lengthen and strengthen our bodies. Kira will provide some variations for varying levels of difficulty as we go, and end with an extended savasana, or relaxation pose, to let it all sink in.
• Props needed for this session:
  The only equipment needed will be a mat (if available) and a towel or blanket.

Sunday - June 21Whole-Back Workshop with Matt

• Date and Time: June 21, 10-11am
• Leader: Matt Nadler, certified yoga teacher and dragon boater!
• Zoom Meeting: check your email
• Description: "As I mentioned at the end of the last workshop, I plan on involving the entire back this week - from the Cervical spine, to the Thoracic region and then to the Lumbar area.  It will include self-massaging as well as a variety of exercises to keep the spine limber as we grow older and in many cases, stiffer." - Matt
• Props needed:
  • Chair
  • Yoga block or thick book
  • 2 balls
    "My choice of balls are Yoga Tune Up balls.  But other balls can be used if you don't have the YTU balls.  Tennis balls, hard rubber balls, lacrosse balls, etc.  I've even experimented with a baseball and a golf ball." - Matt
    
    
• NOTE: This session will be recorded.

Descriptions and lists of props needed for these events will be updated prior to the events, if necessary.  Check back before the workout and see which props might be needed.
Check your email for Zoom links.
​
Thursday
30-minute paddler specific exercises with Laura

• Date and Time: June 4, 7-7:30pm
• Leader: Laura Bogh, physical therapist and dragon boater :-)
• Description: This workout is designed to get you out of our usual movement patterns and into new ways of moving.  It will include a warm up, general strengthening, the fun challenging part, and a cool down.
• Props needed:
  • Standard chair (no wheels or swivel)
  • Non-stretchy strap at least 2 feet long (e.g. belt, luggage strap, dog leash, rope, small towel)
  • Towel to kneel on or to roll up for some exercises
  • Paddle or some other stiff item like a broom handle

Saturday
HIIT (High-intensity Interval Training) with Janell + Social Hour

• Date and Time: June 6, 9-10am HIIT exercises, 10-11am social hour
• Leader: Janell Duey, dragon boat coach, paddler, and excellent instructor!
• Check back for a more detailed description and any necessary props before the workout.

Sunday - CANCELLED
Back Workshop with Matt

• Date and Time: June 7, 10-11am
• Leader: Matt Nadler, certified yoga teacher and dragon boater!
• Description: The focus will remain on the lower back - specifically stretching and strengthening the muscles that control the tilt of the pelvis.
• Props needed: Strap, Ball, Chair, Thick towel
• NOTE: This session will be recorded.

• Video: https://youtu.be/AslQzy-X3BE​
• See below for props needed during workshop

​
On Sunday, May 24th Matt Nadler, certified yoga teacher,  led another great workshop on shoulders.  This is different than the first one and well worth watching and doing!

Props for this Workshop:
1-2 # Dumbbells or soup cans or pint water bottles

Hello fellow paddlers!
We hope this message finds you well and safe! While the water may be quiet, the organization is not. Below are some updates around club business and the anticipated timeline for getting back on the water!

All Paddlers Meeting: Wednesday, June 24 at 6:30PM via ZOOM

• While we may not be on the water, the board has been actively preparing legislation and financial proposals for our members’ consideration.
• If you would like to submit your dues in order to vote at the meeting, please pay online at our website. We acknowledge that financially this may not be possible for everyone at this time. In order to vote you need to submit dues.  However, we still want to see and hear everyone at the meeting so please do not let this deter you from joining! See more on finances below.
• Zoom link for the All Paddlers Meeting will be sent out a week prior to the meeting.

Plan for Getting on the Water

• At the very earliest, we anticipate being able to start smaller numbered practices in Phase 4 of the Washington governor’s order.
• It is possible that we will start practices in Phase 3.  The Board will be meeting in 2 weeks to confirm our timeline which will then be shared out to the club.
• We are intentionally waiting to see how the phased system is impacting the situation before confirming a start date.
• Regardless of when practices resume, we encourage our paddlers to make decisions that are best for them.

Shed Update

• The old shed has officially been moved to its new home at Squires Landing in Kenmore!
• Shout out to Bruce, Carol, and Bruce’s brother-in-law, Mike, for moving the old shed. We appreciate you!
• A new, larger shed will be installed at SLU on JUNE 1st
• Wanna get a sneak peek on the design? Check it out!
  • It has a skylight, two doors for ease of egress through the space, vents on all sides to allow for air circulation and most importantly – MORE SPACE (8ft x 12ft)

Financial Updates and Challenges

• Membership numbers for this year are (as expected) far below our expected numbers. This directly impacts our current 2020 budget in a very profound way. Fixed costs such as boat and paddler insurance, have not changed and in many cases (such as the new shed) were already paid for prior to the impact of COVID-19.
• That said, we have reserve funds for these exact moments when unexpected challenges impact our financial well-being.  These funds will help keep us financially afloat (pun somewhat intended). Working with our past and current treasurers, we have looked at ways to conserve funds and create a lean budget for 2021 to adjust for this year’s budget impact.  
• We are also thankful for those who have been able help the club in many ways during this time. From bailing boats, to leading workouts, it is keeping our community connected and involved. We are also thankful to those who have been able to pay dues as every little bit is helping to keep our organization going.

Virtual Workouts Continue

• Thank you to Matt, Laura, Jos, Janell, Bruce, and all others who have help lead these workouts!
• Saturdays at 9:00AM: Various workout leaders continue to challenge us to stay physically fit, making sure we are ready to get back on the boats when the time comes! From HIIT drills to Qigong and Gung Fu, each week brings a new and exciting workout!
• Sundays at 10AM: Prepare for the most impactful stretching and intentional movement of your life as Yogi Matt walks us through different moves and exercises for specific body parts each week. I never knew my feet were so tense as when I experienced Matt’s workshop last week focused on feet.
• These have also been uploaded to YouTube by our awesome Communications Officer so you can continue to use them. Just search Seattle Flying Dragons Communications and subscribe to our channel!

More Opportunities

• Check out the Bike Everywhere Challenge
• Log as many miles as you can bike for the month of June!
• Contact Jos if you are interested in joining the team!

As always, our goal is to be transparent and open to insight from our community. If you have any questions or thoughts to share, please reach out.

Dragon boat love and appreciation,
Brittany Gaalema
SFDBC President

• Video: https://youtu.be/1OHaeKAWxkQ
• See below for props needed during workshop

​
On Sunday, May 17th Matt Nadler, certified yoga teacher,  led Feet and Toes Workshop.  Emphasis on stretching, mobilizing and strengthening feet and toes.

Props for this Workshop:

1. A chair
2. Yoga Tune Up ball OR tennis ball OR hard rubber ball
3. Hand lotion
   
4. Small towel

• Video: https://youtu.be/NewuiE91uL0
• See below for props needed during workshop

​
On Sunday, May 10th (Happy Mothers' Day), at 10am Matt Nadler, certified yoga teacher,  led an Ankles and Calves Workshop.  The emphasis was on stretching, mobilizing and strengthening calves and ankles.

Props for this Workshop:

1. A chair
2. Yoga block or hardcover books
3. Yoga Tune Up ball OR tennis ball OR hard rubber ball
4. Large towel - we'll be folding it and using it for an unstable platform for ankles

Recommending Reading:
(Each week Matt recommends these titles.  He really likes them!)

• MOVE YOUR DNA by Katy Bowman
• THE ROLL MODEL by Jill Miller

• Video: https://youtu.be/qV96KbvT1RQ
• See below for props needed during workshop

​
On Sunday, May 3rd, Matt Nadler, certified yoga teacher, led a Knees Workshop for us.  Matt emphasized knees by concentrating on QUADS, HAMS, KNEES, and CALVES.

Props for this Workshop:​

1. Yoga mat or carpet to stand and lie down on
2. Strap or bathrobe tie
3. Folding chair or hardback chair - not soft nor swivel chair
4. Medium size towel

• Video: https://youtu.be/LCMlVCCwoF0
• See below for props needed during workshop

​
On Sunday, April 26, Matt Nadler, certified yoga teacher, led a Hips Workshop for us.  

Some postures/exercises will be standing, some using a folding chair and some lying on the floor.

Props for this Workshop:​

1. Yoga mat or carpet to stand and lie down on
2. Strap or bathrobe tie
3. Folding or lightweight chair