Shipwrecks Sail Again

I’ve been feeling off this week, my normal optimism waning and the things I love to do not holding as much interest as usual.  It seems that frustration is plaguing my every waking moment and I seem to have an endless cycle of thoughts running through my mind.  There seems to be an unprecedented number of challenges that seem to be without solution that I find I’m unable to escape thoughts of.

I do believe this week is feeling a little overwhelming as I’ve been feeling rather sick to my stomach the past couple of days and I know I haven’t been getting nearly enough sleep.  I also don’t sit idle very well but with my energy levels rather drained from this flu/cold/whatever it is makes it hard to get moving.

This is why I’m so looking forward to tomorrow evening when I have an activity guaranteed to get me going and focus my thoughts elsewhere. Dragon boat practices begin tomorrow and I can’t explain how much I’m looking forward to getting out on the water.  

I’ve been craving the feel of being on the water for a while now, the coolness rising from the river, the sound of gentle waves lapping at the boats edge, the pull of water against the paddle.  Everything about paddling in a dragon boat team feels rewarding and satisfying.

The count of one, two, three, four ringing in my head drives out all other thoughts focusing my mind completely on the task at hand.  Staying in rhythm with the others gives me a feeling of focus and determination.   Alone none of us would be able to move the long boat against the current but together we have amazing strength and the boat reaches amazing speeds.

It is in those moments, when we all paddle in perfect harmony that I am anticipating, when there is no thought only rhythm and strength carrying us all forward.  

Picture Day

Flower ceremony on Lake Shirley during the past weekends Dragon Boat Festival.

The carnations represent loved ones lost to cancer and the petals those who are fighting.

Shipwrecks

What a great weekend I’ve had. First and foremost what made it a great weekend were the friends we spent it with, followed closely by the Dragon Boat Festival.  We somehow found time to go out for dinner one night, had friends for dinner another had a nice bonfire and even pulled out the telescope for some stargazing.  All in all quite a busy exciting weekend.

Dragon boat was a highlight for me as it went much better than expected. This is our team, the shipwrecks first year and we were also one of the few teams which had 18 paddlers rather than a full crew of 20 so we didn’t expect to have great placement.  We were all OK with that though as we were out there to just to have fun and we certainly did do that. 

Come the final day of the festival our team headed over for our final heat and were informed that we were racing so late in the day because we were one of the top 6 teams. We were all absolutely shocked none of us had any idea we had done so well.

Over 130 teams and us a small group of first years made top 6, it’s still somewhat surreal. I’m so proud of our team for finding the right rhythm and pulling hard together to do so well. 

I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy being on a team working together for a common goal.  It's been a long time since I participated in a group sport and I'm so glad I did I can't wait for next year to do it again.