Dragon Boat 101 in Manila Bay

The Dragon Boat is a very long and narrow human-powered boat used in team paddling sport called dragon boat racing. Originating in China, racing events using these decorative boats are usually held during the Dragon Boat Festival which is a national holiday in the country.

Here in Manila, the way to ride the dragon is to go to Manila Bay. I tried it last Saturday, and it was a whole lot of fun.

At 5:30 am, my friends and I were already in the bay near Manila Yacht Club along with other rowers and newbies like most of us. There were a lot of rowing teams around. We even saw the Philippine women's team all in pink crocs. Our group of newbies and wannabees was invited by he UP Rowing Team (thanks to Chester). Among the team's members is Manix Abrera, creator of the famous Kiko Machine comics.

We waited an hour until we got our boat, and I was bursting in excitement when I got on it. Such enthusiasm made me disregard how filthy the water was. In our first few rows (and I was only rowing as if I knew how to), the boat glided gracefully along the garbage-laiden water in the Manila Yacht Club docking area, until we got a bit farther and the water became less dirty - but still not clean knowing it is Manila Bay.

We stopped for the basic lessons that included the parts of the paddle, how to row, and some jargons used in the sport. Then we rowed further applying the new lessons learned - and we were so good at it. I felt all my back muscles (we were taught it is wrong to use our arm muscles for force) struggled to keep up with the pace. I was breathing in and exhaling at every row, listening to the caller to say 'at ease' for the next few lessons or reminders. Now my body is aching, but I'm definitely doing it again next Saturday.

Dragon boat racing (or in my case it was just rowing) is much fun. It keeps you fit and takes away all your inhibitions, including your disgust for filthy water. And oh, if you ever ask if dragon boat rowers take a dip in Manila Bay, it is true as an initiation. In fact, I can't believe I did it myself. As an ex-molecular biologist (I'm now a banker), I could imagine all sorts of flora and fauna thriving in the murky water. But it didn't matter, I could do some immunity boost.

But on a different note, if dragon boat racing becomes very popular, it may serve as one of the impetus to clean up Manila Bay and Pasig River. For sure, this will become a more attractive sport with clean waters around.