Name: Kristen Wollard Age: (optional) 28 Hometown: Westlake Village, CA (I guess) Houston Heat Member since: The Beginning!! (I think that was 2006) How did you hear about Houston Heat? I don’t remember how I heard about the HH kickoff specifically, so let’s give Laura credit. What do you do when you're not dragon boating? (i.e., hobbies, sports, cross-training, leisure, work, etc): Run, bike, outrigger canoe, kayak, read When and how did you start dragon boating? In 2006 on the Houston Rowing Club DB team (Laura made it sound so fun!) What do you like best about dragon boating? The people and the workout Favorite dragon boat experience so far: I don’t know, I love them all! The Woodlands event was great! The best thing about being a member of Houston Heat: I don’t want to be the deadweight in the boat, so it motivates me to work out! Top tip you'd give new paddlers: Keep your eyes up so you can stay in sync Anything else you'd like to share? I hate stretching (not with the group, just in general as workout prep – the group makes it better).
Name: Cody Wollard Age: (optional) 30 Hometown: Southlake, TX Houston Heat Member since: June 2008 How did you hear about Houston Heat? My awesome wife. What do you do when you're not dragon boating? (i.e., hobbies, sports, cross-training, leisure, work, etc): Bike, kayak, softball, fish, mow When and how did you start dragon boating? After 2 years of harassment from Kristen and her teammates What do you like best about dragon boating? The full-body fitness aspect Favorite dragon boat experience so far: Surf and Turf The best thing about being a member of Houston Heat: Fitness and camaraderie Top tip you'd give new paddlers: Use your back Anything else you'd like to share? Nope
Name: Gina “Xena” “Beena” Suh Age: Forever 21 tee hee… Ok fine, I have no shame… I’m Happily 29 Hometown: Houston Houston Heat Member since: February 2008 How did you hear about Houston Heat? Through great friends: Loc and Jeff What do you do when you're not dragon boating? Run, read, shop, hangout, spend time with my mom and friends, watch movies, travel and dance... out of all these, I LOVE to EAT! When and how did you start dragon boating? In 2007, my former company KPMG entered the May Asian Dragon Boat Festival and that is how I got started. I loved the competition and teamwork. What do you like best about dragon boating? Total body workout! Triceps, back, legs and abs… love it. Dragon Boat gives me a great challenge within myself. I always want to push myself. Although I complain and throw a tantrum before I get to practice, when I am in the boat and start paddling I get pumped up and my energy level heightens…Go Houston Heat! …..Xena yell! Tee hee also, land assessments. Favorite dragon boat experience so far: I love how we support one another. I love my TEAM they are so awesome. Also, I love the adrenaline rush before, during and after the race. Okay maybe not before the race because I’m so nervous that I feel like I have to pee every 2 mins. Additionally, I love it when our teammate JOSH sings 98 degrees songs for us on the boat! Oh yeah … The best thing about being a member of Houston Heat: Teamwork and the people. I love every one of my teammates. We are all different but being able to come together and work hard as a team makes me HAPPY and Loving Dragon Boat! Top tip you'd give new paddlers: Think twist every time you paddle. This will help you to use your back instead of your arms more. Anything else you'd like to share? Houston Heat is not only a sport gathering, but also a second family. The coaches and leaders are awesome. Each and every one of them brings a very special talent that makes the team whole. I am very proud and privilege to know them and be a part of this team. HEAT IT UP! HEAT IT UP! HEAT IT UP, HOUSTON!!
Name: Josh Keely Age: (optional) 26 Hometown: Curwensville, PA Houston Heat Member since: March-ish, 2008 How did you hear about Houston Heat? My co-workers at NASA JSC were involved and convinced me to come out to the spring kick-off What do you do when you're not dragon boating? (i.e., hobbies, sports, cross-training, leisure, work, etc) When I'm not working, I like to be on the water, though I don't get to as much as I'd like. I love to scuba dive, and I'd like to get back into rowing sometime soon. I'm always up for some good live music, or hanging out and sharing a cold beverage (see the picture above with a group of Houston Heat-ers...I'm the tall one). Oh, I love to travel too! When and how did you start dragon boating? I think I took care of this earlier, but I started this spring when some of my coworkers invited me to the kickoff event, and I soon joined up and have been involved ever since. What do you like best about dragon boating? Any chance to be on the water is a good thing. I also love to compete, and even though I haven't raced yet, I'm looking forward to facing off against some other teams in the fall. Favorite dragon boat experience so far: Since I haven't raced yet, I think it would have to be seeing Jeff make a dragonboat wheel chair accessible. If that doesn't go to show people how much the team cares about it's members (and guests), I don't know what could. The best thing about being a member of Houston Heat: The people, by far. Top tip you'd give new paddlers: When you come out, don't just go home after practice. Go hang out with your teammates for breakfast/lunch. Get to know everyone outside the boat, as well as in it. You won't regret it, and I think it goes a long way toward building up that connection that lets the boat move as one. I'm too new to offer any technical advice, but if you find yourself getting overwhelmed by all the things there are to work on, just concentrate on something different every few minutes, and gradually you will find yourself having less and less to think about. Anything else you'd like to share? Be careful...it can be addictive!
Name: Doug Chow Age: (optional) 32 Hometown: Houston, TX Houston Heat Member since: 2008 How did you hear about Houston Heat? Jeff Gee recruited me for almost a year. I'm glad he kept on me to because this is a great sport. What do you do when you're not dragon boating? (i.e., hobbies, sports, cross-training, leisure, work, etc) I like to work out a lot. I run at Memorial Park or Rice U, play tennis, and play in softball and kickball leagues. I also enjoy eating at different restaurants and like to just hang out at a bar with my friends. When and how did you start dragon boating? I started dragon boating when I heard the team might not have enough paddlers for the Austin Festival this year. I am a very competitive person and told Jeff that even with only a month left, I wanted to do this competitively and wanted to try to go to Austin with the team. The team was great because they opened there arms to a newcomer to join them for a race. What do you like best about dragon boating? I like the workouts, the competitiveness, and the comraderie of the team. Everyone is always encouraging and supportive. Favorite dragon boat experience so far: My favorite experience was at the Austin Festival. During the first race the team was a little excited and filled with a lot of emotion and adrenaline which might have caused us to perform under par. But we pulled it together and I saw how the team was able to make the correct adjustments and come together to become faster for each race there after. The best thing about being a member of Houston Heat: This is a team sport and Houston Heat is one of the best at making you feel like you are a part of the team. It's also a good feeling just to be able to meet new people and make new friends. Top tip you'd give new paddlers: Your legs is your base. Once you learn to use your legs in dragon boating, it's easier to work on more specifics on the stroke with your back, twist, reach and recover. Anything else you'd like to share? Dragon boating is a sport of all ages. I can see myself doing this for a long time and I get a great workout while just hanging out with my friends.
Multimedia 
Name: Kristen Wollard
Name: Cody Wollard
Name: Gina “Xena” “Beena” Suh
Our Male Member Spotlight for July is: