I started Dragon Boat paddling approximately 6 years ago when one of my friends, Hau Pham, was captain for the Asia Society Young Professionals team at the TDBA May Festival. I returned the following years to paddle with ASYP, other organizations, and corporations in various local Dragon Boat events until finally Minh Nguyen and Hau Pham had an inspiration to create Houston's own year round Dragon Boat club. Along with enthused paddlers such as Albert and Ann Wong, Bao Vinh, Jen HaeJin Kim, Paul Dunham, Suzanne Tran, Suzanne Bui, Mandy Kirk and others with the same dream and goal, we formed this great club that you enjoy or will get to enjoy. As one of the founding members of Houston Heat it is great to see how much it has grown and to see new faces join our team. Our club is diverse in age, weight class, and ethnicity and I love that. It truly proves that this sport welcomes all and can be enjoyed by all.
I am the primary coach for the recreational (Yellow) division of Houston Heat. This group comprises of mainly "newbies" to Dragon Boating or returning paddlers that want to get reacquainted with the proper form and dust off those cob webs. This division also includes water sport-lovers, weekend warriors, and people just curious to try out a different sport. I guarantee though...once you start with the Yellow division you will soon find that you will be enticed to sharpen your skills and transition into the Competitive (Orange) division and then eventually the Premier (Red) division! Along with my buddy, Yellow division coach, Jeff Gee, we promise to show ya a fun time on the water! So gear up and fall in soldier...we about to have us some fun!"
With all the excitement of the May Regatta, we have decided to host a mid-season Kick-Off event on Saturday, May 31st. This is a great time to invite newbies out to practice to let them experience dragon boating.
This isn't anything too fancy, simply practice and then a Q&A session about Houston Heat. Everyone is welcome to attend!!!
Name: Julie West Age (optional): 46 Hometown: Cardiff, New York Houston Heat Member since: Mar 2008
How did you hear about Houston Heat? I work with Bao
What do you do when you're not dragon boating? (i.e., hobbies, sports,
cross-training, leisure, work, etc) I love to play soccer. I am on an
over-30 co-ed team and have been playing with them for almost 15
years. I like to work out at the gym most nights, and when I’m
not moving I like to read. Lately I’m reading books that my 16 year
old daughter had read and likes. I am very competitive and love a
challenge.
When and how did you start dragon boating? I joined the Southern Union team in 2007 and practiced for the
Dragon Boat Regatta at ClearLake.
What do you like best about dragon boating? I like going to the lake in the
morning and being on the water. I am also enjoying meeting the team.
Favorite dragon boat experience so far: Winning the Energy Cup last year.
The best thing about being a member of Houston Heat: Learning something
new, and learning a new sport.
Top tip you'd give new paddlers: Come to the practices.
If you attended the 2008 Houston May Festival, please take a few moments to tell us about your experience in a quick survey . Your honest feedback will help Houston Heat when planning for future activities & events.
The survey
is very short and is completely anonymous. Thank you!!!
If you attended the 2008 Austin Dragon Boat Festival, please take a few moments to tell us about your experience in a quick survey . Your honest feedback will help Houston Heat when planning for future activities & events.
The survey
is very short and is completely anonymous. Thank you!!!
I started Dragon Boat paddling approximately 6 years ago when one of my friends, Hau Pham, was captain for the Asia Society Young Professionals team at the TDBA May Festival. I returned the following years to paddle with ASYP, other organizations, and corporations in various local Dragon Boat events until finally Minh Nguyen and Hau Pham had an inspiration to create Houston's own year round Dragon Boat club. Along with enthused paddlers such as Albert and Ann Wong, Bao Vinh, Jen HaeJin Kim, Paul Dunham, Suzanne Tran, Suzanne Bui, Mandy Kirk and others with the same dream and goal, we formed this great club that you enjoy or will get to enjoy. As one of the founding members of Houston Heat it is great to see how much it has grown and to see new faces join our team. Our club is diverse in age, weight class, and ethnicity and I love that. It truly proves that this sport welcomes all and can be enjoyed by all.
