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.
Let’s face it paddlers, gas is beyond expensive – it’s ridiculous! Houston Heat thanks everyone who continues to show up to practice! We wouldn’t be the organization we are today without our wonderful paddlers showing up to practice week after week!
As a small thank you, and hopefully, as a way for our paddlers to get to know one another better, we’re introducing Car Pool & Paddle Days for July and August!
How it works is simple – car pool to water practice five times during July and August and we’ll credit you $5 towards any Houston Heat related dues, i.e practice fees, HH merchandise, event fees, etc.
What better way to spend the early morning drive than discussing how many beers you had last night or how much you’re dreading practice? It’s always fun to have a driving buddy! =P
There are a couple of exceptions:
- If you live in the same household and ride to practice together, that doesn’t count! Find a paddling neighbor close by and arrange a car pool!UPDATE! If you live in the same household, you can now get credit each time you drag your spouse, child, loved one, etc., to paddle with you! =)
- You can’t be late to practice! If its 7:30 and you’re still rolling down NASA Rd 1, you’re LATE!
* Please be considerate and share travel expenses with those who offer to drive. *
* Please also make sure you inform Ann you’ve car pooled that day when you check in for morning practice. *
So log onto your Houston Heat account, post and private message other users to get your car pool together! Better yet, invite a friend to try out dragon boating, pick/meet them up and head on down for two hours of paddling fun!
We are pleased to announce that beginning next Monday, June 30th, Land Practice will commence again at Sabine Bridge!
All paddlers are encouraged to attend. NOTE: you don't have to be a member to attend these free practices. They're open to all who would like to mix up their weekly training schedules.
Land Practices will be led by former MIA paddler Matt Murphy! We're glad to have him back in the boat and leading these land practices. Please check out the signup above for more information and to sign up so we know how many to expect. We hope to see you out there!
Happy Birthday Houston Heat! It’s amazing to think how much Houston Heat has grown in the past two years. A small group of people had a vision for a year-round dragon boat club, and two years later, we have over 50 members! We are in our 3rd season as a team, and it’s exciting to see so many people excited about the sport.
We would like to invite all Houston Heat members and their families to come join us for Happy Hour to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary. Details available in the sign-up.
This event is free for all paid members and their guests; however, everyone is expected to pay for their own drinks and food. Houston Heat will be providing some appetizers.
Name: Jaclyn Lataquin Age (optional): 29 Hometown: Philippines Houston Heat Member since: 2008 How did you hear about Houston Heat? Google What do you do when you're not dragon boating? (i.e., hobbies, sports, cross-training, leisure, work, etc) Work, play frisbee, read and catch up on sleep when I can. When and how did you start dragon boating? I started last year when the team coach for Boracay Island Paddlers invited me to paddle with them just for fun and if I liked it, I can train with them. What do you like best about dragon boating? Dragon boating teaches me to be patient and think as one with the team; that it's never about me winning but the whole team. "For the strength of the wolf is in the pack, and the strength of the pack is in the wolf". Favorite dragon boat experience so far: Dragons Down Under - 2007 World Dragon Boat Racing Championships, Sydney Australia!!! The best thing about being a member of Houston Heat: Meeting new people, learning new strategies. Top tip you'd give new paddlers: Learn to execute the right stroke and strive to perfect it. Anything else you'd like to share?Dragon Boat is not just about strength. It is in the mind as well. I believe in quieting your mind as you visualize yourself executing that perfect stroke. Eventually your body will go with the flow. The next thing you know, it's more than just counting that makes you ensync with the team! Your fluid movement harmonizes you with the pace. You are one with the pack.
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Our Male Member Spotlight for July is: 
Let’s face it paddlers, gas is beyond expensive – it’s ridiculous! Houston Heat thanks everyone who continues to show up to practice! We wouldn’t be the organization we are today without our wonderful paddlers showing up to practice week after week!
Paddlers,
